Touch Football Australia (TFA), in conjunction with Māori Touch New Zealand (MTNZ), is pleased to announce the Indigenous and Māori Touch Football teams that will compete in the 2026 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars, returning to Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time since 2023.
The annual All Stars contest is an event like no other, showcasing unrivalled skill and passion across Touch Football, NRLW, and NRL matches, while honouring Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Last year’s match produced the highest-scoring affair yet, with the Māori All Stars defeating the Indigenous team twelve tries to eleven to take the lead in the overall ledger.
Both sides will welcome two debutants to the NRL’s pre-season event, with experience littered across the field for the Mixed showcase. The Indigenous All Stars team will be newly coached by Jarrad Rotumah, who moves into the role after nine consecutive appearances in the playing jersey. The Māori All Stars boast a largely unchanged line-up, including the return of last year’s Bo de la Cruz Medallist, Marama Thomas, as they aim to defend their victory in front of local support.
TFA would also like to thank Phil Gyemore, Karley Banks, and Mel Mitchell for their expertise and support in the interview process for the Indigenous coaches, having generously stepped aside to create meaningful pathway opportunities for emerging coaches.
The All Stars is more than a game, for Māori and Indigenous Touch Football players, it’s a rare chance to proudly represent their cultures and communities on a national stage, take part in a fully integrated camp with NRLW and NRL players, and join a week-long program of cultural activities, education, and connection – showcasing their skills and contributing to a truly historic All Stars fixture.
NRL Harvey Norman All Stars. United in Culture.
Grab your NRL Harvey Norman All Stars tickets today at nrl.com/tickets/allstars.
Congratulations to all players, coaches, and referees selected:
Indigenous All Stars Team
Rebecca Bartlett (Waka Waka)
Jai Charlton (Bundjalung)
Zali Chippendale (Torres Strait (mer island))
Evie Clarkson (Bindal clan – Birri Gubba Nation)
Chayse Shaw* (Wiradjuri)
Taimana Elers (Worimi)
Keeron Hughes (Miriwoong / Gurindji)
Floyd Tighe (Gamilaraay)
Riley Jones (Wonnarua / Darkinjung)
Andi Law (Worimi)
Brent Nixon* (Kamilaroi / Wailwan)
Keely Silva (Gamilaroi / Dunghutti)
Coaches: Jarrad Rotumah (Bundjalung) and Jaya Callinan (Palawa)
Māori All Stars Team
Pokaiaua Kurukaanga (Ngāti Hine, Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi)
Tyla Love-Hepi (Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
Deena-Ranginui Puketapu (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu)
Marama Thomas (Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
Jordan Tuakana Hudson (Te Arawa)
Aaliyah Paki (Tainui, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei)
Mariana Winiana (Ngāti Ruanui, Nga Puhi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa)
Hinerangi Andreassend (Tainui)
Chylo Flavell (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tūhoe)
Tama Toa Ropati (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Ranginui)
Sean Wilkie* (Ngāti Porou)
Jayden Sargent* (Ngāi Tūhoe)
Coaches: Luke Chapman (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) and Te Aroha Paki (Waikato, Tainui)
Referees
Thomas Webster (Ngāpuhi)
Logan Forrester (Ngāi Tahu)
Carlie Rua (Ngāi Tūhoe)
*Denotes debutant
Indigenous and Māori All Stars Head-to-Head
2019: Māori 9 defeated Indigenous 6
2020: Māori 12 defeated Indigenous 8
2021: Not played
2022: Indigenous 7 defeated Māori 3
2023: Indigenous tied Māori 10-all
2024: Indigenous 7 defeated Māori 2
2025: Māori 12 defeated Indigenous 11
Head-to-Head: Indigenous All Stars 2, Māori All Stars 3, Draw 1
Bo de la Cruz Medallists
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)
2024: Rebecca Mi Mi (Indigenous All Stars)
2025: Marama Thomas (Māori All Stars)
Shane Frederiksen Medallists
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)
2024: Keeron Hughes (Indigenous All Stars)
2025: Ifor Jones (Māori All Stars)
