Young talent to make names for themselves on big stage
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Coach Keith Hanley has urged the Maori All Stars women to develop their own DNA as a group believing they have the emerging young talent to offset the absence of New Zealand-based players for Saturday’s clash with their Indigenous rivals.
Injuries and border restrictions have robbed both teams of some of their best players and while there will be more than 20 new faces at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the coaches and captains all agree the next generation of players getting an opportunity are capable of making an impact in their big-game debuts.
The All Stars curtain raiser will feature no fewer than 20 players with NRLW experience, as well as some internationals, including Corban McGregor, Botille Vette-Welsh, Zahara Temara and Harden. The Māori All Stars however, have been hit hard by COVID-19 border restrictions, which has left the side with just four players from last year’s win over the Indigenous women’s side. Even coach Rusty Matua was unable to make the journey to Townsville. The Indigenous team lost 8-4 to the Māori All Stars last year, which was an impressive result considering they were forced to make an extra 100 tackles than their rivals.
The scoreboard stands at one win apiece after the Indigenous women s team got revenge on their Maori opponents in last year s Harvey Norman All Stars clash.
The 2021 fixture, the first of a double-header at Queensland Country Bank Stadium with the men s game, will contain a strong contingent of NRLW talent as well as providing a platform for promising players.
Twenty of the 36 players named in both squads have got NRLW experience, including international representatives like Corban McGregor, Botille Vette-Welsh, Zahara Temara and Tallisha Harden.
McGregor has been named captain of the Maori side with Harden set to lead the Indigenous team.
Jillaroos coach Brad Donald will have a 40-player World Cup train-on squad prepared for anything in 2021 following the disruption that came last year.
Preparations for the defending champions will begin in Kingscliff on Friday afternoon. A bumper women s schedule is expected to be released by the NRL in the coming weeks.
The three-day training camp will be the first get-together for the group ahead of the bid to retain their World Cup trophy in the United Kingdom.
The easing of state border restrictions between Queensland and NSW last month was welcome news for Donald, with all players now able to attend the camp.
A mix of NRLW stars and rising talent headline the women s Harvey Norman All Stars clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, to be played before the men s fixture in Townsville on February 20.
The Indigenous All Stars bounced back with a 10-4 victory over the Maori Ferns in the corresponding game last year after suffering an 8-4 loss in the inaugural clash in 2019.
Both teams have undergone significant squad turnover due to injuries, retirements and border travel restrictions, but still feature a total of 20 players who have represented NRLW clubs.
The Indigenous side will field eight NRLW players and will be well led by an experienced forward pack that includes Origin representatives Tallisha Harden, Shaylee Bent and Quincy Dodd.