Raiders duo Jordan Rapana and Joe Tapine have been named in the Maori All Stars squad to face the Indigenous team in Sydney on 12 Febraury.
Tapine was co-captain for the Maori side last year while Rapana will play his first All Stars match after a brilliant 2021 campaign for the Raiders.
As expected, the squads are depleted due to the COVID-disrupted NRL pre-season.
Canberra’s Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jack Wighton are both unavailable after playing in last year’s clash.
Indigenous star Cody Walker and Maoris Kalyn Ponga and Jarome Luai weren’t available.
Neither were Melbourne’s Maori big guns Jahrome Hughes and Jesse Bromwich, who both had off-season surgery.
Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell and Storm hooker Brandon Smith are unable to play due to suspension.
But the match, to be played in Sydney at CommBank Stadium for the first time, still promises plenty of attacking fireworks with some of the game’s best entertainers to suit up.
The 20-man squads were announced on Tuesday in alphabetical order, leaving Indigenous coach Laurie Daley and Maori mentor David Kidwell time to decide how they’ll line up.
With seven of their players set to take part in the fixture, Cronulla are the most-represented team.
Marquee Sharks recruit Nicho Hynes could join new teammate Braydon Trindall in the Indigenous halves, with fullback Will Kennedy an option to continue the club connection in the starting spine.
Meanwhile, veteran Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita is poised to return from the life-threatening fractured larynx he suffered after a knock against Newcastle in August.
“There’s definitely a fair bit of speed and excitement in this squad,” Daley said.
“Importantly we have a strong and proud group who will grow from the experience that is All Stars.
“We have some newcomers to the contest as well which gives us such an opportunity alongside others who are All Stars veterans.
“Our players will be very keen to learn about themselves, their teammates – and to also educate others. That’s what makes this game so special.”
The Maori All Stars will feature several Kiwi internationals, headlined by premiership-winning Penrith forward James Fisher-Harris and Canberra back Rapana.
Warriors playmaker Kodi Nikorima is joined in the squad by younger brother Jayden, who is relaunching his career with Melbourne after off-field issues caused his demise at the Sydney Roosters in 2017.
“I’m so thankful to have a group of players who are honoured to represent their culture,” Kidwell said.
“This is such an important week for the game and our players recognise this. They will all do what they can to represent themselves, their whanau and their iwi.”
In the women’s All Stars clash, Tamika Upton, Shaylee Bent and Quincy Dodd will turn out for the Indigenous team against the likes of Kennedy Cherrington, Botille Vette-Welsh and Corban Baxter.
Full All Stars squads
Men’s Indigenous All Stars squad: Albert Kelly, Alex Johnston, Andrew Fifita, Braydon Trindall, David Fifita, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jack Bird, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Jesse Ramien, Josh Addo-Carr, Josh Curran, Josh Kerr, Kotoni Staggs, Nicho Hynes, Reuben Cotter, Ryan James, Selywn Cobbo, Tyrell Fuimaono, Will Kennedy, Will Smith. Coach: Laurie Daley.
Men’s Maori All Stars squad: Briton Nikora, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dylan Walker, Erin Clark, Esan Marsters, James Fisher-Harris, Jayden Nikorima, Jazz Tevaga, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine, Kenny Bromwich, Kevin Proctor, Kodi Nikorima, Morgan Harper, Pasami Saulo, Patrick Herbert, Reimis Smith, Royce Hunt, TC Robati, Tuku Hau Tapuha. Coach: David Kidwell.
With AAP
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