Players for the annual NRL All Stars fixture have been confirmed with squads dropped on Thursday afternoon.
Josh Addo-Carr returns for the Indigenous All Stars men's side after missing last year's match through suspension, won 10-6 by the Māori men on Dharug Country, while Jaime Chapman and Jillaroos star Keilee Joseph headline names in the Indigenous women's outfit eyeing three consecutive wins on Saturday, Feb 15.
There's big names set to miss the fixtures in Waikato.
After reportedly missing up to a week of the Rabbitohs' preseason preparations with injury setbacks, Latrell Mitchell and David Fifita have not been included in the squad, while reigning Dally M medallist Tamika Upton, who suffered a calf strain late last year, is also absent.
Mitchell missed last year's game with suspension. His brother Shaquai, despite departing Souths for Queensland Cup side Tweed Seagulls late last year, features.
Warriors captain James Fisher-Harris was locked in for the Māori mens side earlier this week, with Jesse Arthars set to add speed and Sky Blues Origin regular Kennedy Cherrington to run out for the women's home side.
The yearly NRL season curtain-raisers head across the Tasman, to FMG Stadium in Waikato, for the second time in 2026 after Rotorua hosted the games in 2023 - 50 years on from the first Indigenous Rugby League tour of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes was another early confirmation for the Indigenous men, now joined by Jamal Fogarty, Jayden Campbell and Braydon Trindall as halves options in coach Ronald Griffiths side.
Jack Wighton will also run out for the Indigenous men's team.
Jillaroos head coach, Barkindji & Ngapuhi/Ngāti Hine Māori woman Jess Skinner will again lead the Indigenous women's outfit.
Indigenous All Stars Men
Josh Addo-Carr, Jayden Campbell, Tallis Duncan, Jamal Fogarty, Trai Fuller, Nicholas Hynes, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Josh Kerr, Kaiden Lahrs, Shaquai Mitchell, Oliver Pascoe, Joshua Patston, Hohepa Puru, Jesse Ramien, Ethan Roberts, Blake Steep, Braydon Trindall, Connor Watson, Jack Wighton, Brent Woolf. Coach: Ronald Griffiths
Indigenous All Stars Women
Essay Banu, Shaylee Bent, Krystal Blackwell, Rhiannon Byers, Jaime Chapman, Bree Chester, Kirra Dibb, Quincy Dodd, Taliah Fuimaono, Tallisha Harden, Caitlan Johnston-Green, Keilee Joseph, Grace Kemp, Ella Koster, Lailani Montgomery, Mahalia Murphy, Jasmine Peters, Phoenix-Raine Hippi, Jada Taylor, Caitlin Turnbull. Coach: Jess Skinner
Māori All Stars Men
Jesse Arthars, Joe Chan, Zach Dockar-Clay, JoJo Fifita, James Fisher-Harris, Mawene Hiroti, Royce Hunt, Keano Kini, Jacob Laban, Casey McLean, Te Maire Martin, Trey Mooney, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Adam Pompey, Leo Thompson, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Coach: Adam Blair
Māori All Stars Women
Shakira Baker, Corban Baxter, Gayle Broughton, Harata Butler, Rima Butler, Kennedy Cherrington, Rueben Cherrington, Laikha Clarke, Zali Fay, Fane Finau, Matekino Gray, Mya Hill-Moana, Raecene McGregor, Shanice Parker, Jasmin Strange, Payton Takimoana, Chante Temara, Zahara Temara, Tenika Willison. Coach: John Strange
Ahead of the NRL's blockbuster season-openers in Las Vegas on March 1, a fortnight on from the All Stars, doubts had been raised over Bulldogs, Knights, Cowboys and Dragons players' availability as they prepare to travel.
Among those headed to Vegas was Dane Gagai - eligible for both sides, 2025 Māori side members Jordan Riki and Kaylyn Ponga, and big name First Nations stars Reuben Cotter and Josh Curren.
None have been named in the squads.
Mixed Touch kicks off the afternoon (12:25pm AEDT), before the womens and mens fixtures (1:30pm and 3:45pm) next Saturday.
