In the highest-scoring affair in Touch Football All Stars history, the Māori All Stars defeated the Indigenous All Stars 12 tries to 11 in a blistering contest, reclaiming the lead in the overall ledger in sunny conditions at CommBank Stadium.
The first in a triple-header alongside the NRLW and NRL All Stars, the annual Touch Football All Stars match returned to CommBank Stadium, Parramatta for the first time since 2022 and did not disappoint with the largest combined scoreline since the concept’s inception.
The Māori All Stars scored in their first possession through debutant Destiny Katene after great lead-up work from Pokaiaua Kurukaanga from dummy half who was also making his Māori debut. The Indigenous All Stars struck back in the fourth minute through debutant Jai Charlton, before the Māori side scored several tries in succession to extend their lead. The dry track proved to be favourable for debutants, with Mariana Winiana scoring for the Māori from a cut-out pass by Kurukaanga. Considered by many as one of the best Touch Football players in the world, Ifor Jones also suited up for the Māori for the first time and was next on the scoresheet after a late switch from Tyla Love-Hepi.
Both sides continued to trade sets before another assist from Love-Hepi to Kurukaanga extended the Māori scoreline. Jones continued his scintillating performance with a swift dummy and cut-out pass to Deena-Ranginui Puketapu, before a late try to debutant Jordan Tuakana Hudson ensured the Māori All Stars took a 6 tries to 1 lead into halftime.
The Indigenous side wasted no time in the second half, scoring in their first set through Shameus Edwards - making him the equal top-try scorer in All Stars history with six in total. Jones would counter right back for the Māori, breaking through defenders with a left foot step to score his second try. The second half was a back-and-forth affair with both sides trading attacking blows, with nine-time representative Jarrad Rotumah scoring next for the Indigenous All Stars. Love-Hepi continued his influential performance for the Māori by etching his name on the scoresheet next through a strong dummy, before Riley Jones touched down for the Indigenous to take the scoreline to 8-4.
Ifor Jones’ commanding performance continued with an assist to Marama Thomas, before back-to-back tries to the Indigenous’ Tallara Bamblett and Floyd Tighe continued to make it a tight contest. Kurukaanga scored his second for the Māori in the thirty-first minute before last year’s Shane Frederiksen Medallist, Keeron Hughes, dove for the line as the sides continued to trade tries.
Puketapu scored her second try in the corner after a long pass from Jones, with Hughes not to be outdone with a bullet-like pass to Keely Silva in the following attacking set for the Indigenous side. Riley Jones then scored his second try following a slip in the Māori’s defence, before Marama Thomas set up Kurukaanga for his hat-trick to take the score out of reach for the Indigenous with the clock winding down. The Indigenous All Stars continued to fight back with two late tries to Andi Law and Riley Jones, who also claimed a hat-trick, but it was the Māori All Stars who emerged victorious with a final 12-11 scoreline on Saturday afternoon.
Ifor Jones was awarded the Shane Frederiksen Medal after his dominant performance on debut for the Māori All Stars, with Marama Thomas awarded the Bo de la Cruz medal to cap off her outstanding match.
Touch Football Australia would like to thank the NRL and Māori Touch New Zealand as the Touch Football All Stars spectacle continues to grow, with the Indigenous side fully integrated with NRLW and NRL teams in a cultural camp to celebrate culture and showcase pride.
Missed the game? Watch the full match replay on Nine Now - click here.
Final Score
Māori All Stars 12 defeated Indigenous All Stars 11
Head-to-Head: Indigenous All Stars 2, Māori All Stars 3, Draw 1
Try Scorers
Indigenous All Stars
Tallara Bamblett – 1
Jai Charlton – 1
Shameus Edwards – 1
Keeron Hughes – 1
Riley Jones – 3
Andi Law – 1
Jarrad Rotumah – 1
Keely Silva – 1
Floyd Tighe – 1
Māori All Stars
Ifor Jones – 2
Destiny Katene – 1
Pokaiaua Kurukaanga – 3
Tyla Love-Hepi – 1
Deena-Ranginui Puketapu – 2
Marama Thomas – 1
Jordan Tuakana Hudson – 1
Mariana Winiana – 1
Awards
Shane Frederiksen Medallist: Ifor Jones (Māori All Stars)
Bo de la Cruz Medallist: Marama Thomas (Māori All Stars)
Click here to vote for your combined Touch Football All Stars team for your chance to win a limited edition All Stars match ball! Voting closes 9am AEDT Monday, 17 February 2025.
