The Australian Indigenous NRL All Stars Touch Football team is set to embark on a cultural journey this week as the All-Stars event, which will be held in New Zealand for the first time, brings together Indigenous cultures from across Australia and New Zealand.
Arriving into camp in Sydney on Tuesday, the team participated in a unique, and interactive cultural event delivered by Dalmarri where they took part in traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and artwork creation.
“It was a great team building experience and way to celebrate our culture ahead of this tour and everyone got to put their own individual stamp on the artwork and stories”. - All Stars head coach Karley Banks said of the experience.
“We’re looking forward to getting to Rotorua tomorrow (Wednesday) and continuing to bond as a team and learn more about each other and our culture”. Banks continued.
On Thursday, the team will have the chance to learn about Māori culture during their visit to a school in New Zealand, where they will take part in a Powhiri, a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony. The team will then be engaging with the school’s students as part of a broader district-wide gala day featuring their NRL and NRLW counterparts.
The team will then go head-to-head with the Māori All Stars on Saturday. The Indigenous side consists of a mix of experience, in Jarrad Rotumah and Rebecca Mi Mi, and youth in debutants Rhani Hagan and Taimana Elers.
“I am so excited. I used to watch the All Stars when I was little and now, I get to play in it, it’s amazing!” - said Rhani Hagan on Tuesday.
For those interested in the overall tally, the Māori All Stars currently lead the ledger 2-1, a deficit the Indigenous All Stars are focused on squaring away on New Zealand soil.
The 2023 NRL All Stars is being held at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday 11 February 2023. Tickets are available via the Ticketmaster website.
The All Stars Touch Football match will be broadcast live on Fox League and Kayo Sports in Australia and Sky Sport New Zealand commencing at 2.15pm NZDT (12.15pm AEDST).
