The rugby league season gets underway tonight with the Indigenous vs Maori All Stars matches, with the men’s game second up at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:10pm (AEDT).
If last year’s 28-24 win by the Indigenous team is any guide, we are in for an entertaining game of football tonight. With two wins each and a draw, this sixth annual fixture of the All Stars game will give one team bragging rights going forward.
The Indigenous All Stars strength is in its backline, with the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow all in the team. Sharks fans will get an early look at their new halves pairing Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall, who are both named to start.
Shaquai Mitchell and Josh Kerr have the big task of nullifying the Maori pack. That won’t be easy with Joe Tapine, Kenny Bromwich and Briton Nikora part of a strong starting group.
Jahrome Hughes and Kodi Nikorima form an attacking halves pairing, and they will be looking to unleash the underrated Matt Timoko and Jesse Arthars.
Prediction
Both sides will be keen to throw the ball around in this encounter. The Maori All Stars will likely gain an edge, but the Indigenous team’s backline is potent.
I expect them to make full use of their opportunities – the Indigenous All Stars should win a high scoring encounter.
Indigenous All Stars by 6
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 8:10pm (AEDT)
TV: Channel Nine, Fox League
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Betting: Indigenous All Stars $1.68, Maori All Stars $2.15 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Indigenous All Stars
1. Latrell Mitchell (c), 2. Josh Addo-Carr, 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 4. Kotoni Staggs, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Shaquai Mitchell, 9. Kierran Moseley, 10. Josh Kerr, 11. Adam Elliott, 12. Josh Curran, 13. J’maine Hopgood.
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Bailey Butler, 15. Brian Kelly, 16. Hohepa Puru, 17. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 18. Zac Fulton, 19. Jordan Grant, 20. Kyle Laybutt.
Maori All Stars
1. Jesse Arthars, 2. Jojo Fifita, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Matt Timoko, 5. Adam Pompey, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Royce Hunt, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Joseph Tapine (c).
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Trey Mooney, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Dylan Walker, 18. Te Maire Martin, 19. Jack Howarth, 20. Keenan Palasia.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks very much for following the blog tonight. Looking forward to a great season ahead.
David Holden
Roar Guru
For an early season game, that was a superb effort from the Indigenous in defence tonight. In thew few chance they had, the class in the backline showed through. As an added bonus, it looks like all players got through without serious injury tonight
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the call David. Enjoyed both games.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME INDIGENOUS DEFEAT MAORI 22-14
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT' CONVERSION MAORI Gagai converts Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 14
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Another Ex Avier.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Thanks boys, tough conditions but played with passion and effort.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT' TRY MAORI Crash play from Willison and he scores on Full Time. TRY Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Pompey from the tap. Bromwich goes forward. Willison with another good run. Gagai on the right. Kick with Kelly but Pompey has been cleared out by Staggs Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 8
David Holden
Roar Guru
77' Hammer from the scrum. Kerr in the middle. Shift right to Khan-Pereira. Kick is taken by Nikorima and he is taken a little high and wins a penalty Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 8
David Holden
Roar Guru
76' Laybutt has a run. JAC almost busts the line. Shaq in the middle. Kick has been dropped by Arthars Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 8
David Holden
Roar Guru
75' Bromwich with a carry. Hunt goes forward. Tapine follows. Kick with Hynes Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 8
David Holden
Roar Guru
74' Shaq with a carry. Hynes slips over. Kerr in the middle. Hynes finds Mitchell but he is held up on the last Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 8
David Holden
Roar Guru
73' Short kick off doesn't go 10 so Indigenous penalty Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 8
David Holden
Roar Guru
72' CONVERSION INDIGENOUS Hynes has struck this well Indigenous All Stars 22 Maori All Stars 8
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Started pretty good then when fatigue set in it went down.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Be enough to get him the Preston ?
David Holden
Roar Guru
70' TRY INDIGENOUS Grant on the left edge. Beautiful floater pass from Hynes and Khan-Pereira is in to likely seal this. TRY Indigenous All Stars 20 Maori All Stars 8
David Holden
Roar Guru
69' Hynes from the scrum. Grant goes forward. Kick from Hynes and Staggs has been taken out. Indigenous win the penalty Indigenous All Stars 16 Maori All Stars 8
Panana split
Roar Rookie
First game of the year in wet conditions. It was never going to be high quality.