A dramatic finish capped-off both All Stars matches, but the Indigenous women were able to pull off victor while the men fell agonisingly short.
A dramatic finish capped-off both All Stars matches, but the Indigenous women were able to pull off victor while the men fell agonisingly short.
The scores are locked 0-0 after the first 20 minutes, but an error from Kurtis Morrin and a set restart late in the count opens the door for the Indigenous team.
But Tallis Duncan loses the ball in the tackle, and Connor Watson gives away the penalty to give the Maori team a much-needed lift up field.
It’s a wasted opportunity for the Maori team too, though, with Xavier Willison losing the ball close to the Indigenous line.
Indigenous 0, Maori 0 after 23 minutes
A magnificent game of football featuring some of the game’s biggest women’s stars. Has it left you wanting more?
In a fortnight, we will get more of the same in Las Vegas. America, you have never seen anything like this. And then? Just when we get a taste for top-flight footy, what do we get next?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing until the start of the NRLW season in July. It seems an inordinate time to wait.
At least we were treated to something special at CommBank Stadium. A crowd of 14,279, still swelling before the men’s match, were on hand for a thrilling, controversial finish.
Six tries all, scores all locked up and what happens? The video referee is required to determine the outcome. The season hasn’t even started and already head of football Graham Annesley has an ulcer.
It all came down to this. Indigenous star Lailani Montgomery attempts the winning field goal. It misses. A captain’s challenge shows a defender, in attempting the charge down, made contact with the plant leg.
A Penalty right in front, Montgomery slots it over the crossbar (which is illuminated with sponsor signage; is nothing sacred?). Game over.
To think that Titans playmaker Montgomery wouldn’t have even been on the field if not for an injury to Kirra Dibb, who was seen limping after full-time in a moon boot.
“My first word is wow,” said Indigenous teammate Quincy Dodd of Montgomery. “She’s an incredible human being and on that field there she took it with both hands. She executed it so well.
“Kirra is an amazing player and to step into her shoes, she did the best for us and got us those two points at the end there. She will always remember this game and this week.”
For all those who participated, the game is greater than its outcome.
“It’s so much more than a game, it’s a space where we can feel confident in our own skin,” said Maori captain Shannon Mato. “Just embracing that, not being embarrassed, not being shameful, being in this arena [allows] our people to be heard. It gives them a voice, a space to speak their language and do their dance and to celebrate it.
“That’s why a part of me is smiling right now because at the end of the day, culture wins.”
Play is under way for the men’s All Stars match.
Royce Hunt takes the first carry for the Maori team, who get through their first set cleanly.
Indigenous
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Tyrone Munro, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Jayden Campbell, 7. Niwhai Puru, 8. Shaquai Mitchell, 9. Connor Watson, 10. Josh Kerr, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Josh Curran, 13. Hohepa Puru, 14. Tallis Duncan, 15. Brent Naden, 16. Jayden Sullivan, 17. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Maori
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Will Warbrick, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Mawene Hiroti, 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Royce Hunt, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Jordan Riki, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Leo Thompson, 14. Keano Kini, 15. Jazz Tevaga, 17. Zach Dockar-Clay, 19. Kurtis Morrin
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