An electric final 20 minutes from young-gun Selwyn Cobbo has helped the Indigenous All Stars edge past the Maori All Stars in the men's clash in Rotorua on Saturday.

The 20-year-old recovered from a shaky start to score a hat trick in the final quarter and tip the scoreline to 28-24 in the visitor's favour.

Emotions and energy were running high following spine the tingling haka and war cry from the sides shortly before kickoff.

Cobbo started his night by spilling a kick return which led to the hosts opening the scoring, Zach Dockar-Clay regathering his own kick for a try in the following set of six, and later letting a try of his own go begging after dropping a Latrell Mitchell cut out pass close to the line.

Early errors from the Indigenous All Stars saw them leak tries and gave the home side the bulk of momentum in the first half.

The two sides entered quarter time 6-4 to the Maori All Stars before another unforced error from the visitors saw them concede within minutes after the break, Jess Arthars crossed over to widen the gap for the Maori side.

2022 Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes looked to be best on ground through much of the contest, showing the versatility of his game with hand, foot and run.

The 26-year-old danced through defenders to score untouched under the posts and convert with the kick to bring the score back to 12-10 in the home side's favour.

Hynes later combined with Daine Laurie and Brent Naden for a sensational try down the right hand side to put the Indigenous side in front shortly after half time before Josh Kerr found himself in the bin following wayward high shot on the Maori All Stars' James Fisher-Harris

A desperate effort from Jordan Riki to cross the line was rewarded by the referee to make it 18-16 to the Maori side at the final break.

Enter Selwyn Cobbo.

The Broncos and Queensland State of Origin winger put together a final period of individual brilliance, beginning with a full field breakaway try after snapping up a low kick on his own line.

He later put the final pieces on a pair of left-side plays at the line to all but lock in the final result.

The Maori All Stars' Preston Riki provided a late scare to the visitors when he crossed over with two minutes left on the clock to cut the difference back within a try.

A clock ran out on the Maori All Stars looking to steal the result back playing on home soil for the first time.

Match Highlights 🎥 - #NRLAllStars 2023

Selwyn Cobbo starred with a hat-trick as the Indigenous All Stars overcame a gutsy Māori All Stars side 28-24! pic.twitter.com/JXCI233cvI

— NRL (@NRL) February 11, 2023

In the womens' contest the Maori All Stars got scoring underway when Zali Fay crossed over on the left edge 7 minutes in.

A handy offload and overlap on the right side saw Jasmin Strange extend the margin in the second period before Jada Taylor got one back for the Indigenous All Stars with a huge effort down the left wing beating a handful of Maori defenders and reduce the difference at halftime to 8-6.

Keilee Joesph gave the Indigenous All Stars the lead at the final time after busting through defenders to cross over near the posts in the third quarter.

Amy Turner quickly levelled things for the Maori All Stars after the final break despite being a player down with Destiny Brill sin binned for a dangerous tackle.

A risky decision to opt against a penalty shot at goal with just minutes on the paid off when Zali Fay crossed for her second sew up the win for the Maori All Stars.

At the centre of much of the Maori sides play was former New Zealand rugby sevens international and olympic gold medallist Gayle Broughton.

The 26-year-old was named player of the match in her side's 16-12 win.

NRL preseason matches continue this weekend before the season begins on March 2.