The Indigenous All Stars and Māori All Stars are fierce rugby league opponents the moment their annual game kicks off, but are brothers in arms after the final whistle.

That was on display at the end of this year's thrilling clash that came down to the final moments of play.

Hugs were the order of the day afterwards for both sides despite the somewhat controversial finish.

Indigenous co-captain Josh Kerr also had no qualms stepping onto the presentation stage after the heartbreaking four-point loss and pronouncing their support for Māori culture.

"I want to leave it on this note too, but I understand that the Māori in New Zealand are going through something with their (government) treaty," Kerr said.

"I just want to let you all know that all Indigenous Australians are there right beside you guys whatever your decision is.

"We love you guys, thank you, because culture elevates culture".

The understanding of what other First Nations people struggle with also elevates those same opponents as equals.

But in some rugby league quarters it's a concept that does not come easy or is not specifically shared.

Even before this season, there has been constant talk to scrap the All Stars fixture altogether.

That it serves little purpose in a crowded NRL season that includes 27 rounds and finals, State of Origin series and an extended season after the grand final for Test rugby league.

That since more and more Indigenous and Māori players are "not available" every season – especially according to the clubs – there is no point of the clash of cultures.

However Kerr staunchly defended the fixture that brought new light to past All Stars matches which had featured a combination of NRL and international non-Indigenous talent instead of Māori players.

"I don't know how they could ever talk about getting rid of this game," Kerr said.

"It's so much more than just a game of footy this week.

"It reaches so many young kids, and we spoke about it in the week if we could just change one young kids' life, that's real generational change."

It all blew up when Māori All-Stars coach Adam Blair accused Canberra of making up to five Raiders unavailable for the match in February, two weeks before the NRL club travelled to Las Vegas for its season opener.

Coach Ricky Stuart blew up at Blair's "childish" remarks, saying there was no semblance of truth to refusing to release Canberra's Māori stars.

Now Indigenous All Stars coach Ron Griffiths has backed up Blair's claims in a bitter dispute with Stuart, and wants to take action to ensure the annual game remains untainted by clubs.

Players could seek to add clauses to their contracts that guarantee clubs release both their Indigenous and Māori players without needing a direct request.

While injury or suspension sidelined Indigenous stars Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr, and Cody Walker this season, around a dozen other players in contention for selection had officially withdrawn.

Griffiths believes there was undue pressure from clubs to give the match a miss, claiming that one unnamed club did not even inform a player of his Indigenous call-up.

"I stand with Adam Blair on this issue," Griffiths told Nine media.

"He has been personally attacked – Adam has acted honourably and with good character.

"I support Adam's sentiment in terms of players being available.

"We've got some world-class, elite players that the fans want to see.

"There's no doubt that clubs are holding players back.

"I've got examples of text messages from players where they have been told they can't play.

"I've also got examples where the club hasn't informed the player that they are going to be selected; the club has just said to us, 'No, they are not playing'.

"That's just the reality of the situation.

"What Adam has come out and said, I support – we stand together on this."

Griffiths is pushing for Indigenous players to liaise with their managers regarding an All Stars clause inserted in the fine print of contracts.

It was a talking point around the Indigenous All Stars' own yarning circle ahead of this year's fixture.

"That's something that came up when we were chatting in camp – how it looks in terms of timing of the game and getting released by your club," he said.

"People spoke about having a clause in your contract to ensure you are released for the game.

"They have the opportunity to put that into their contract when they are negotiating.

"Importantly, for young people on the cusp of playing NRL, it's a hard thing to ask your club to release you for a pre-season fixture.

"You're taking a week off from your club, so it's got to be managed differently in terms of player availability.

"I can understand the club's hesitation in releasing players – we have them for the one week, they have them for a whole year.

"But we've got a responsibility as a game to allow the best players to play so that the game is a spectacle."

The Gomeroi coach said one player who he did not want to name to avoid repercussions told Griffiths their club said it did not have any middles in the forward pack for that weekend's trial game.

"It's an opportunity for this kid to go live with his culture for a week to be proud of who he is," Griffiths said.

"It was a chance for us to send him back more socially, emotionally and culturally supported, but he wasn't even informed that we wanted to pick him."