All Stars headed to Sydney in 2022​

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All Stars headed to Sydney in 2022​
htttp://www.nrl.com

Sydney will create history in February, hosting the NRL Harvey Norman All Stars for the first time ever.

The Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed the 2022 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars would be played at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, February 12.

It will be just the second time the All Stars fixture has been held in NSW, following on from the 2017 match in Newcastle.

ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys AM said the Harvey Norman All Stars was an important event for the Commission.

"It's no coincidence that our season kicks off with the Harvey Norman All Stars. You can't imagine our game without the influence of Indigenous and Maori cultures and the leadership role our players have in the community,'' he said.

"We're delighted that Sydney will have the opportunity to host these games for the first time. The All Stars features some of the most exciting men and women in the NRL and NRLW competitions and I know the event is one of the highlights of their season."

NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said the event would benefit communities in Sydney enormously.

"All Stars week is a unique and important part of our rugby league calendar. To be able to celebrate this week in Sydney is an exciting opportunity for players and fans." Mr Abdo said.

"The event brings communities and cultures together and helps celebrate First Nations people as well as rugby league's authentic and powerful diversity.

"The 2022 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars will feature the women's and men's Indigenous and Maori teams, along with the Indigenous and Maori touch football teams."

Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council Chair Katrina Fanning said: "All 10 All Stars contests have educated, improved awareness and overall built bridges between communities.

"It has had an incredibly important impact in regional communities but it has also shown its power in our cities including Brisbane and Melbourne. Now Sydney has the chance to experience the life-changing abilities of the All Stars concept."

NSW Minister for Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the fixture would give sports fans an exciting event to look forward to in February 2022.

"The NRL All Stars pre-season showcase is a wonderful celebration of rugby league and indigenous and Maori culture," Mr Ayres said.

"As an avid NRL fan I am delighted that Sydney will kick-off the 2022 rugby league season with the NRL All Stars fixture and welcome fans from around the country to CommBank Stadium.

"Sydney and NSW continues to secure significant sporting events that resonate with the community by providing entertainment and inspiration, while also playing a vital role in driving our visitor economy."

Harvey Norman Chief Executive Katie Page added: "Harvey Norman have been the proudest supporter of the NRL Indigenous All Stars since its inception, 11 years ago. The NRL Indigenous All Stars will be played in Sydney at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta for the first time in 2022. All First Nations' teams will be honoured to be playing on the lands of the Darug people and will possibly give proud Burramattagal players' Josh Curran and Quincy Dodd the ultimate home-ground advantage in their respective clashes.

"Anyone who has ever watched the NRL Indigenous All Stars game live will know and tell you the atmosphere rivals State of Origin and Finals for passion, pride and talent on display. Now it is Sydney's turn to celebrate the brilliance of the men and women of the NRL Indigenous and Maori communities, so save the date."

Tickets will be on sale tomorrow (Wednesday, December 1), beginning with Parramatta Eels Members at 9am (AEDT), all other NRL Club Members at 9.30am (AEDT), NRL Account Holders at 10am (AEDT) and General Public at 2pm (AEDT).

The 2022 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars will feature the women's and men's Indigenous and Maori teams, along with the Indigenous and Maori touch football teams.

Tickets will be available from $25 for adults and $75 for families via nrl.com/tickets. Tickets for special Indigenous and Maori supporter bays, which include a flag with every ticket, will be available from $40.

The All Stars matches will be broadcast live on the Nine Network, Fox League, SKY New Zealand and on NRL Live Pass.

The 2022 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars is proudly supported by the NSW Government, via Destination NSW, along with major partners KARI Foundation and Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES).

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Match details: https://www.nrl.com/draw/all-stars/2...-v-indigenous/

Let's see what happens with player availability.

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Teams out

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And now we hold our collective breaths in hope of no injuries or suspensions.

[gotitans101_]

In what world does Albert Kelly deserve a spot in the Indigineous All-Stars team over Campbell? Same could be said for Cobbo who's only played a handful of games for the Donkeys on the wing (huge talent though). You're a joke Laurie.

[DIEHARD]

Clark to debut as NRL confirms All Stars teams
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...l-stars-teams/

Official team lists, updates and injury news for the men's and women's NRL All Stars clashes at CommBank Stadium on February 12 .

Māori Women's All Stars v Indigenous Women's All Stars
4.20pm Saturday at CommBank Stadium
Indigenous All Stars

1. Tamika Upton
2. Jaime Chapman
3. Bobbi Law
4. Jasmine Peters*
5. Rhiannon Revell-Blair
6. Kirra Dibb
7. Tahlulah Tillett
8. Tommaya Kelly-Sines
9. Quincy Dodd
10. Caitlan Johnston
11. Shaniah Power*
12. Shaylee Bent
13. Keilee Joseph


14. Sarah Field
15. Janelle Williams
16. Kaitlyn Phillips
17. Kyra Simon
18. Taliah Fuimaono

Coach: Ben Jeffries

Māori All Stars

1. Botille Vette-Welsh
2. Jocephy Daniels
3. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith*
4. Corban Baxter
5. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly
6. Raecene McGregor
7. Zahara Temara
8. Shannon Mato*
9. Nita Maynard
10. Rona Peters
11. Roxette Mura
12. Olivia Kernick
13. Kennedy Cherrington

14. Mya Hill-Moana
15. Krystal Rota
16. Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce
17. Lavinia Gould
18. Katelyn Vaha’akolo

Coach: Keith Hanley

*denotes Titans representatives

Team news
Indigenous All Stars: Former NSW and Jillaroos playmaker Kirra Dibb gets an All Stars debut at five-eighth and she is partnered in the halves by another debutante in Tahlulah Tillett. Star fullback Tamika Upton will make her long awaited All Stars debut while fellow newcomers Kyra Simon and Janelle Williams will come from the bench. Taliah Fuimaono came into the squad after Bree Chester withdrew and will come off the bench in her second All Stars appearance.

Māori All Stars: Roosters captain Corban Baxter will lead the Māoris in her third All Stars appearance and she is joined in the centres by debutante Tiana Raftstrand-Smith. Two more newcomers in Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly and Jocephy Daniels will start on the wings while experienced duo Raecene McGregor and Zahara Temara will call the shots in the halves. Showing the way up front is veteran Rona Peters while fellow prop Shannon Mato is 10 years her junior. At 38, former New Zealand Black Ferns rugby representative Lavinia Gould debuts from the bench along with Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce, who came into the squad when Page McGregor withdrew due to injury.


Māori All Stars v Indigenous All Stars
7.10pm Saturday at CommBank Stadium
Indigenous All Stars

1. Will Kennedy
2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Brent Naden
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Nicho Hynes
7. Braydon Trindall
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Reuben Cotter
10. Ryan James
11. David Fifita*
12. Tyrell Fuimaono
13. Josh Curran

14. Albert Kelly
15. Will Smith*
16. Jamayne Taunoa- Brown
17. Josh Kerr
18. Selywn Cobbo
19. Tyrell Sloan
20. Shaquai Mitchell

Coach: Laurie Daley

Māori All Stars

1. Jordan Rapana
2. Morgan Harper
3. Dylan Walker
4. Reimis Smith
5. Patrick Herbert*
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Kodi Nikorima
8. Joseph Tapine
9. Erin Clark*
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Kenny Bromwich
12. Briton Nikora
13. Jazz Tevaga

14. Esan Marsters*
15. Royce Hunt
16. TC Robati
17. Kevin Proctor*
18. Tuku Hau Tapuha
19. Jayden Nikorima
20. Wiremu Greig

Coach: David Kidwell

*denotes Titans representatives

Team news
Indigenous All Stars: Cronulla's new-look spine will get an early run with fullback Will Kennedy, five-eighth Nicho Hynes and halfback Brayden Trindall all starting for the Indigenous side in their respective All Stars debuts. Centre Jesse Ramien and prop Andrew Fifita round out the five-man Cronulla contingent. Cowboys winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Bulldogs centre Brent Naden make their debuts in the starting backline while Brisbane duo Albert Kelly and Selwyn Cobbo, Dragon Tyrell Sloan and Rabbitoh Shaquai Mitchell, brother of Latrell, all debut from the bench. Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr captains the side.

Māori All Stars: Warriors duo Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima combine in the halves for the Māori, with the former making his All Stars debut and the latter making his co-captaincy debut alongside last year's co-captain, Raider Joe Tapine. Another Raider in Jordan Rapana makes his All Stars debut at fullback. Morgan Harper (Manly) and Reimis Smith (Melbourne) debut in the backline, along with hooker Erin Clark (Gold Coast) and lock Jazz Tevaga (Warriors). Royce Hunt (Sharks), TC Robati (Broncos), Jayden Nikorima (Storm) and Tuku Hau Taphua (Roosters) round out the debutants list on the bench.

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Maori experience helping Marsters grow on and off the field
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...off-the-field/

This Saturday's All Stars clash will be Esan Marsters' fourth; and his excitement to wear the Maori jersey has not wavered since his maiden appearance in 2019.

Scoring on debut at AAMI Park in his first chance to represent his heritage - making his experience even more memorable - the 25-year-old back knows how special the week is for his cultural identity, and is particularly excited for teammate Erin Clark who got his initial All Stars call-up for this year's clash.

"It’s always a good feeling being selected to play in the All Stars, representing your family and your culture and where you’re from," Marsters said.

"I guess for new guys like Erin who is making his debut in the All Stars, it’s going to be exciting for him and I’m excited. He's had a really good pre-season and he’s going to be looking forward to the challenge.

"I really he does a haka for us today in our team meeting."

Born in Auckland and of Cook Island and Maori descent, the Titans centre feels the best part of the experience is immersing himself in his culture and identity, before getting the opportunity to run out and put all the pre-season work to the test in the first game of 2022.

"I think [it's about] soaking up the atmosphere across the week and having guys who want to learn about their culture be around you," the Kiwi International said.

"Coming together as a collective and being one is the most important part, not just for us, but for the Indigenous side as well.

"I guess going into the game, it’s going to be a massive game, not just for the Maoris but for the Indigenous players too.

"I think throughout the week, that’s where you learn all the culture stuff, but then when it comes to the footy, that’s the most important part of what we do.

"It’s another trial for us to show the coaches what we can do and how we perform out there, so I think for us, being able to get out there and show what we do and push for Round 1 spots is massive."

The All Stars experience has allowed the Mount Albert Lions junior to not only grow as a player, but as a person overall given the influence around him during the camps.

"I’ve been lucky enough to be on these camps a couple of times and I think you do grow as a player and a person," Marsters said.

"The players that are out there are all special and we're lucky to showcase our talent against some of the best players in the game right now.

"For us as proud Indigenous people, it’s good to get out there and just play some footy against each other and some of the guys I’m going to play against on the weekend are here too.

"It’s just a massive weekend for all cultures and I’m really going to get stuck in."

Away from All Stars duties as Marsters prepares for his sixth NRL season, the 81-game back is excited to see Tino Fa'asuamaleaui named Titans skipper and lead the side in the new year, especially for the crop of young talent coming through the ranks on the Coast.

"For our young guys, he’s pretty vocal and gets across what he wants to say. He’s been massive for a lot of the young guys throughout the season and it’s always good to have him out there beside you," Marsters said.

"He does the hard work off the field as well. It’s good for the club, especially on the rise."

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Proud Kiwi loves chance to showcase culture
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...wcase-culture/

Patrick Herbert's jovial description of the All Stars typifies what the celebration is all about.

"It's a good thing for us Māoris and Indigenous people to get together, bash each other up and then have a cuddle at the end of the day," the Titans centre joked.

Bringing together two cultures; proud of their heritage and traditions, and their love for rugby league, the week-long initiative focusses on bringing the two groups together to showcase their connection to their heritage and their pride of representing that on the big stage.

"All Stars is massive for two passionate cultures going head-to-head in the pre-season. Everyone is watching it, so I think it’s a good game to show everyone what we’re capable of and the talent that we have and our culture," Herbert said.

"It’s going to be good. It’s always good and a good week away as well."

Born in Whakatane, this weekend will be the 25-year-old's second appearance for his native homeland after starring in the 10-10 draw last season, and as a proud Māori from the North Island of New Zealand, Herbert enjoys the chance to refresh his knowledge of his cultural traditions and share it among his Kiwi whānau.

"You never forget who you are," Herbert said.

"I'm not too far away from my roots. I sort of know who I am. I’m pretty grounded as a Māori boy from back home.

"I don’t think you really learn too much more... it’s sort of just a refresher.

"In the camp, you’re just around the blokes who are the same culture as you and everyone’s really passionate.

"We’ve all got similar traits and similar interests. We’ve all like to play rugby league and rugby league brought us and our culture together."

Up against Titans teammates David Fifita and Will Smith - who will represent the Indigenous All Stars - the strike weapon is weary of the fellow Gold Coast powerhouse back-rower, given his relentlessness in the pre-season to be in the best possible shape ahead of 2022.

[Titanic]

It’s so inconsiderate that they interviewed Latrell in front of the smoking zone … talk about sending mixed messages.

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Well that looked great for about 30m and then the cheap shoulder charge. Fifita better be OK

[gotitans101_]

Didn't watch it. Any standouts from our boys?

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Didn't watch it. Any standouts from our boys?

Fifita came back on, he looks like he did last season. Juggernaut.

[gotitans101_]

Fifita came back on, he looks like he did last season. Juggernaut.

Thanks JB.

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'Culture would be hectic': New Zealand All Stars idea a winner according to Herbert
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...ng-to-herbert/

Patrick Herbert can just imagine how incredible the atmosphere would be should the All Stars be played in New Zealand next year.

With the prospect of the game being played across the ditch in 2023 according to NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, the Titans centre believes the euphoria when the Māoris run out at somewhere like Mount Smart Stadium or Eden Park would be incredible.

"That’ll be one of the best things ever. All the Māoris back there and everyone in general… just to have footy back there. I think it’ll be good. The culture will be hectic," Herbert said.

"Even just having the games here (in Australia) that I’ve been apart of. The Indigenous team and the fans and that. They just love it and it’s so loud when they do any little thing, so to have a crowd like that cheering for us would be amazing.

In a near man of the match performance in Saturday's clash, the 25-year-old bounced back from his heartbreaking finish to the 2021 season in style, aiming up with plenty of gritty defence - including a heroic try-saving tackle - and playing a hand in one of Māoris' tries in the 16-10 win over the Indigenous All Stars.

"It was real good. Obviously to get the win made it a bit more special," Herbert said.

"The week in general was hectic. It was a good refresher and good to reconnect with our roots and our culture with a team of boys who are in a similar boat who can’t go home.

"We were able to get together and showcase our culture and how proud we are as Māoris.

"I think when you’re playing for your culture, it’s an unexplainable feeling.

"You find another level and just go into autopilot where you want to do whatever it takes to make your family and heritage proud."

Herbert was front and centre of New Zealand's pre-match ceremony, passionately leading arguably one of the best displays of culture ever seen on a rugby league field.

"I think the haka is where you get ready for war – the game being the metaphoric war that you talk about and setting the challenge," Herbert said.

"The emotions start boiling… you think about your family and everything that your culture means to you. It all comes out as pure emotion.

"Two passionate cultures going head-to-head and we’re all teammates, but the passion just takes over."

One of six Titans in action in the first match of the new season, Herbert feels he and his teammates have really benefited from a positive pre-season at Parkwood, and are fit and firing in the best possible shape for 2022 after really strong performances at the weekend.

"Pre-season is always tough. Even if you’re fit, they make it harder," Herbert said.

"I think all the boys from the Titans did the club proud and Dave (Fifita) doing what Dave does... he threw me off a tackle once and scored.

"I think our pre-season has set a good platform for us and our club."