2019 All Stars

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Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
NRL set to introduce New Zealand Maori clash with Indigenous All Stars


Michael Chammas Chief Reporter
Mon 20 Aug 2018, 12:01 AM


The NRL is expected to announce a revamped All Stars concept in Melbourne on Monday, with a New Zealand Maori team to take on an Australian indigenous side to open the 2019 season.

It’s expected the NRL will reveal plans for a men's and women's double-header at AAMI Park on Friday, February 15, adding some passion, culture and tribalism to the event by replacing the World All Stars side with a New Zealand Maori team.

One of the criticisms of the original All Stars concept was the lack of motivation for the World All Stars in comparison to the Indigenous side, with a large number of players withdrawing from the match in previous years.

NRL officials had every intention of reviving the Indigenous All Stars after a one-year hiatus following last year’s World Cup, and they used the break to improve the spectacle and ensure more people feel connected to the match.

The pre-game Maori haka and Indigenous war cry are expected to be a feature of the event.

The Indigenous side is blessed with a wealth of riches in the backline, with fans to choose from the likes of Greg Inglis, Dane Gagai, Josh Addo-Carr, James Roberts, Latrell Mitchell, Will Chambers, Blake Ferguson, Alex Johnston, Tyrone Peachey and Jack Wighton.

It could also be a farewell game for the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday, who will retire at the end of this season.

The likes of Issac Luke, Russell Packer, James Tamou and Jordan Rapana are among the eligible New Zealand Maori players.

It will be the first time the All Stars game will be played in Melbourne having previously been hosted in Brisbane, Newcastle and the Gold Coast.

A two-week voting window will open to fans in January, while tickets for the match go on sale to members today and general public on Tuesday.


https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/20...ealand-maori-clash-with-indigenous-all-stars/
 
Ponga and Levi could play for the Maori side. It shouldn't have any effect on national availability.

Watson and Ramien could play for the all stars.
 
New Zealand Maori side to face Indigenous All Stars in 2019


Michael Chammas Chief Reporter
Mon 20 Aug 2018, 11:58 AM


An All-Star New Zealand Maori team will square off against the Australian Indigenous All Stars in a mens and womens double-header in Melbourne next February to open the 2019 NRL season.

The NRL has revamped the All Stars concept after a one-year break following last year's World Cup, replacing the World All Stars with a New Zealand Maori side to add some passion, culture and tribalism to the event which started in 2010.

The match, which will be played at AAMI Park on Friday, February 15, will pin the likes of Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga up against Greg Inglis and for the first time will also include a women's match with the same teams.

South Sydney centre Dane Gagai is one of four players eligible for both teams (along with Reimis Smith, Javid Bowen and Josh Hoffman) and will have to pledge his allegiance to one of the teams in the coming months before the January voting window.

One of the criticisms of the original All Stars concept was the lack of motivation for the World All Stars in comparison to the Indigenous side, with a large number of players withdrawing from the match.

There was also a lack of interest from fans in supporting the World All Stars, but there will be no such concerns with a Maori team, especially when you consider the number of Kiwis living in Melbourne.

The NRL had every intention of reviving the Indigenous All Stars, and they used this year's hiatus to research and survey fans and players about the match in order to improve the spectacle and ensure more people feel connected to the match.

The least supported concept was the original World All Stars team, with the New Zealand Maori side earning greater support than a Pacific All Stars team combining players from Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

There were some cultural sensitivities around a potential combined Pacific team which also contributed to the decision to appoint a NZ Maori team.

The pre-game Maori haka and Indigenous war cry will be a feature of the event.

Some of the biggest names eligible for the New Zealand Maori team include Ponga, Gagai, Jordan Rapana, Corey Norman, Valentine Holmes, Issac Luke, Jordan McLean and James Tamou.

Gagai, Tamou and McLean are the three players who have represented Australia at Test level eligible for the New Zealand Maori team.

The Indigenous side is blessed with a wealth of riches in the backline, with fans to choose from the likes of Inglis, Gagai, Josh Addo-Carr, James Roberts, Latrell Mitchell, Will Chambers, Blake Ferguson, Alex Johnston, Tyrone Peachey and Jack Wighton.

It could also be a farewell game for the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday, who will both retire at the end of this season.

It's expected Laurie Daley will continue as coach of the Indigenous side but it is undecided who will take control of the inaugural Maori team in the battle for the Preston Campbell Trophy.

It will be the first time the All Stars game will be played in Melbourne having previously been hosted in Brisbane, Newcastle and the Gold Coast.

The NRL has a one-year deal with the Victorian government to stage the event as part of a commitment to the region to build the sport, however with new stadiums in Townsville and western Sydney to open in the next 12 months, the match could move to another state in 2020.

A two-week voting window will open to fans in January, while tickets for the match go on sale to members today and general public on Tuesday.

Potential Indigenous All Stars team

1. Greg Inglis, 2. Josh Addo-Carr, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. James Roberts, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Johnathan Thurston/Ash Taylor, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Ryan James, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Jack Bird. Reserves: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam Thaiday, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. David Fifita.

Other big names eligibile: Will Chambers, Jack Wighton, Blake Ferguson, Alex Johnston, Bevan French, Connor Watson, Aiden Sezer, Corey Thompson

Potential New Zealand Maori team

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jordan Rapana, 3. Dylan Walker, 4. Dean Whare, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Benji Marshall, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Tohu Harris, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Elijah Taylor. Reserves: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. James Tamou, 16. Joseph Tapine, 17. Russell Packer.


https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/20...ealand-maori-clash-with-indigenous-all-stars/
 
Yep, just another chance for stars to end seasons before they even start.

Need a AFL style preseason comp and actually make a prize worth playing for, and just 25 minute halves or something, take it to the bush as well.
 
2019 Harvey Norman NRL All Stars women's train-on squads

Indigenous All Stars

Akayla McQuire
Amber Pilley
Rebecca Young
Caitlan Johnston
Chloe Caldwell
Jenni-Sue Hoepper
Kandy Kennedy
Kazzia Lammon
Kyara Nean
Latoniya Norris
Lavina O’Mealey
Lavina Robinson
Layla Fauid
Majayda Darcy
Ngalika Barker
Quincy Dodd
Rebecca Ford
Regan Hart
Rhiannon Revell-Blair
Samartha Leisha
Sarah Field
Shakiah Tungai
Sharon McGrady
Shaylee Bent
Stephanie Mooka
Tahlia Hunter
Taleena Simon
Tallisha Harden
Terri-Ann Caine
Tommaya Kelly-Sines

New Zealand Maori Ferns

Amber Kani
Animei Skudder
Arneta Honey Hireme
Autumn-Rain Stephens
Awhina Marsh
Botille Vette-Walsh
Brittany Breayley
Crystal Stowers
Crystal Tamarua
Faith (Philly) Rapana
Geneva Webber
Harata (Charlette) Butler
Hilda Mariu
Jonsal Tautari
Kahurangi Peters
Karley Te Kawa
Kararaina Wira-Kohu
Kathy Keremete
Krystal Rota
Lisa Edwards-Rua
Raecene McGregor
Raquel Anderson-Pitman
Rona Peters
Tahina Heta
Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell
Tazmin Gray
Te Aroha Hapuku
Tori Iosefo
Tyler Birch
Zahara Temara


https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/11/06/train-on-squads-announced-ahead-of-2019-all-stars-match/
 
2019 All Stars Jerseys

all-stars_men_2.jpeg



all-stars_women_2.jpeg



https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/11/30/2019-all-stars-jerseys-revealed/
 
Indigenous Women's All Stars

Akayla McQuire
Amber Pilley
Caitlan Johnston
Jenni-Sue Hoepper
Kandy Kennedy
Kyara Nean
Layla Fauid
Quincy Dodd
Rebecca Young
Samartha Leisha
Shakiah Tungai
Sharon McGrady
Shaylee Bent
Tahlia Hunter
Taleena Simon
Tallisha Harden
Terri-Ann Caine
Tommaya Kelly Sines

Coach: Dean Widders

New Zealand Maori Ferns

Acacia Claridge-Te Iwimate
Amber Kani
Botille Vette-Welsh
Harata (Charlette) Butler
Christyl Stowers
Hilda Mariu
Jonsal Tautari
Kahurangi Peters
Kararaina Wira-Kohu
Kathy Keremete
Kerehitina Matua
Krystal Rota
Rona Peters
Geneva Webber
Tazmin Gray
Te Aroha Hapuku
Tyler Birch
Zahara Temara

Coach: Rusty Matua


https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/01/16/nrl-harvey-norman-womens-all-stars-teams-named/
 
French to replace Barba in All Stars side


NRL.com
Sat 2 Feb 2019, 01:06 PM


Parramatta speedster Bevan French has been called up to replace Ben Barba in the Indigenous All Stars team to take on the New Zealand Māori.

Barba was axed from the squad following his sacking by the North Queensland Cowboys on Friday night over an alleged assault on his partner at a Townsville casino on Australia Day.

French has scored 35 tries in 47 NRL appearances for the Eels and will join Laurie Daley's side for the the Harvey Norman All Stars game on February 15.

Joel Thompson (calf), Ryan James (knee) and Ash Taylor (shoulder) have all withdrawn from the Indigenous All Stars line-up, with Dragons youngster Josh Kerr confirmed as James's replacement.


https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/02/02/bevan-french-to-replace-barba-in-indigenous-all-stars/
 
Interesting to see how our knights boys go tonight. Kayln showing why 6 is a massive learning curve for him.
 
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