Recapped: Touch Football at the All Stars

From its launch in 2015, to an epic New Zealand debut in 2023, the Touch Football All Stars game has become a mainstay of the NRL’s All Star fixture and Touch Football calendar. This year celebrates the eighth edition of the event and the fifth clash between the New Zealand Māori and Indigenous All Stars. We reminisce on the history of the concept and how it continues to play an important role in celebrating Indigenous culture and understanding.  

2015

Five years after the concept was launched by the NRL and Preston Campbell, Touch Football Australia (TFA) was invited to participate with the Indigenous Touch Football All Stars making their debut against a TFA All Stars team at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. The TFA All Stars featured some of the best talent the game had to offer, including Emily Hennessey, Peter Norman, and Scott Buckley. The Indigenous side was just as exceptional, featuring a lineup boasting the likes of Marikki Watego, Lachlan Pierce, and Scott Prince.  

The Indigenous All Stars narrowly emerged victorious in a tight affair, with Lachlan Pierce scoring the late winner. He, alongside Carly Walsh, were rewarded with the inaugural Shane Frederiksen and Bo de la Cruz medals (named after Indigenous Touch Football trailblazers) respectively for being the best male and female on the ground.  

A full match replay can be viewed here. 

2016

Following a successful debut in 2015, the Indigenous and TFA All Stars upped the ante in 2016, moving the concept to a best of 3 series. Held in Brisbane as part of the NRL All Stars weekend, the Indigenous All Stars took out game one, 13 tries to 9. Hat tricks from Paige Parker and Kristian Congoo of the Indigenous side headlined an exciting game, with plenty of skill on display. Game two saw the TFA All Stars bounce back 5 tries to 3, resulting in a decider at Suncorp Stadium. A tight tussle like game one, chances were limited with a Peter Norman double separating the sides.  

In front of a strong crowd at The Cauldron, the two sides were unable to be separated, with the full-time score, 6 tries apiece. With the series concluding in a draw, the Indigenous All Stars retained their title. Dylan Hennessey and Hannah Dyball were honoured with the Shane Frederiksen and Bo de la Cruz medals respectively for standout performances. 

2017

In 2017, the event made its NSW debut, as the Indigenous All Stars clashed with the TFA All Stars in Newcastle. Once again a best of 3 series, it was the TFA All Stars this time who took the early advantage, ousting the Indigenous side 7 tries to 6 in a thrilling opener. Held at Wallsend Touch Association, Pete Norman scored in the dying seconds of the game to take it to a drop-off. With Dylan Hennessey and Jared Townsend trading tries, the atmosphere was electric. As he has done countless times in the deciding moments of matches, Dylan Hennessey stepped up, sliding in to score the winner.  

In the lowest scoring affair so far, game two saw the TFA All Stars secure the series and trophy for the first time, with a 2 tries to 1 victory. A match winner from Hayley Maddick was the difference.  

Although Game Three was a dead rubber, spirits were high and there was plenty of pride on the line as the two sides played at McDonald Jones Stadium. In a see-sawing battle, the two teams traded tries throughout. In the end, neither team could be separated and a 4-all draw closed proceedings. Pete Norman and Hayley Maddick received the Shane Frederiksen and Bo de la Cruz medals. 

Head-to-Head Results: Indigenous All Stars 1, TFA All Stars 1, Tied Series 1 

2019 

Taking a year off in 2018 due to the Rugby League World Cup, the All-Stars concept was revamped in 2019 with the introduction of the Māori All Stars – adding culture, passion, and tribalism to the event. Held in Melbourne, the Touch Football All Stars match served as the curtain raiser for a footy triple-header (Touch Football, NRLW, and NRL). National Indigenous Sportswoman of the Year recipient and former Australian Emu Bo de la Cruz made her All-Stars debut, captaining her side.  

However, the Māori All Stars emerged triumphant in their debut, winning 9 tries to 6. A hattrick to Lewis Mcalister, a double to Kingston Lamberg, and a commanding showing from Jordan Marshall-King, ensured that the debutants tapped off the new era with a win. Renae Nona and Kristian Congoo stood out for the Indigenous side in a noble performance with five tries between them. 

2020 

2020 saw the All Stars return to Queensland on the Gold Coast and the Māori side went back-to-back, 12 tries to 8. Leading 7-3 at halftime, the Māori All Stars were too strong, continuing to dominate in the second half.  

Incredible footwork, exceptional long balls, and unbelievable athleticism, the 2020 edition of the Touch Football All Stars was not only a celebration of cultures, but an extraordinary showcase of talent. Drumayne Dayberg-Muir, Shameus Edwards and Kiiahla Duff were just some of the athletes on show.  

A full replay of the game can be viewed here (no audio). 

2022 

Following a Covid interrupted year in 2021, Touch Football returned to the All Stars at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium. In wet conditions, the Indigenous All Stars defeated their Māori counterparts 7 tries to 3. A tight contest in the first half, the two sides acclimatized themselves to the wet conditions as the Indigenous All Stars ran away winners in the second half.  

Indigenous debutant Jardel Bob and captain Rebecca Mi Mi stood out above the rest awarded the Shane Frederiksen and Bo de la Cruz medals for their outstanding performances. 

A full match replay can be viewed here. 

Match highlights can be viewed here.  

2023 

In their fourth encounter, the Indigenous All Stars made their way across the ditch, as the event was held in New Zealand for the first time at Rotorua International Stadium. Both teams were unable to be separated in an exciting spectacle, with the match ending in a 10-10 draw. The Indigenous side started the stronger of the two, heading into half time with a 4-3 lead. The Indigenous All Stars carried this momentum into the early stages of the second half, with tries to Jardel Bob and Andi Law extending their advantage to 6-3. However, the Māori All Stars dug deep, with excellent team play and relentless attack helping bring the score back level.  

With mere minutes left to play, The Māori side caught the Indigenous team offside from the restart and Takoha Ropati took advantage to score to put his team in the lead. A massive left-to-right ball from Indigenous captain Jarrad Rotumah to Andi Law for her second, ensured the scoreboard read 10-all come full-time. The Māori had one last set to claim a famous victory but the Indigenous All Stars’ defence stood tall.  

In a fitting result, the Touch Football All Stars’ New Zealand debut concluded in a draw, the first and only draw to date between the two sides. Rebecca Mi Mi became the first ever two-time Bo de la Cruz medalist, while Takoha Ropati became the first Māori representative to be bestowed the Shane Frederiksen medal.  

Prior to the official post-match presentation, the two sides conducted a cultural gift exchange. 

Head-to-Head Result: Māori 2, Indigenous 1, Draw 1 

 

Bo de La Cruz Medal Recipients 

• 2015: Carly Walsh (Indigenous All Stars)
• 2016: Hannah Dyball (TFA All Stars)
• 2017: Hayley Maddick (TFA All Stars)
• 2022: Rebecca Mi Mi (Indigenous All Stars) 
• 2023: Rebecca Mi Mi (Indigenous All Stars) 

Shane Frederiksen Medal Recipients 

• 2015: Lachlan Pierce (Indigenous All Stars)
• 2016: Dylan Hennessey (TFA All Stars)
• 2017: Pete Norman (TFA All Stars)
• 2022: Jardel Bob (Indigenous All Stars) 
• 2023: Takoha Ropati (Māori All Stars)  

Leading Try Scorers

• 6: Kristian Congoo (Indigenous All Stars), Pete Norman (TFA All Stars)
• 5: Jarod Townson (Indigenous All Stars), Taylah Connell (Māori All Stars)

 

Can the Indigenous All Stars level up the series this year in Townsville or will the Māori All Stars extend their head-to-head lead? Only time will tell.  

The 2024 Harvey Norman NRL All Stars is being held at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday, February 16. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Click here to purchase.