The Indigenous Men's All Stars have pulled off a defensive masterclass and taken their advantages at the line for a 22-14 win over the Maori All Stars in Townsville on Friday.

After conceding early, the Indigenous side responded quickly and put on five unanswered tries to back up their win in Rotorua in last year's NRL season curtain-raiser.

Scoring opened quickly with two tries in the opening eight minutes.

Latrell Mitchell spilled an early kick allowing Māori skipper Joseph Tapine to storm over for first points.

Josh Addo-Carr responded quickly for the Indigenous All Stars off a Latrell Mitchell cut-out pass at the line after Māori fullback Jesse Arthars' toe crept over the sideline under a highball.

Addo-Car had a double after a second Arthar fumble off Indigenous All Stars half Braydon Trindall's boot before the end of the first quarter, before a hit off-the-ball from Kotoni Staggs allowed Kodi Nikorima to close the margin to two points with a penalty kick at the first break.

Another Trindall kick helped Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow make it three from three on the left side for a 16-8 Indigenous All Stars lead, after conversion, for the only points in the second quarter.

Trindall was awarded the Preston Campbell medal for best on ground.

The Māori side let a try go begging after Matthew Timoko fumbled at the line with the Indigenous side's defence scrambling after an in their own half.

It came as the Indigenous All Stars defended set after set with defensive efforts unfamiliar during All Stars games in a scoreless period through the middle of the contest.

The hosts held off on their own line - making 48 tackles inside their 20-metre line before the final break.

A Nicho Hynes floating cut-out pass out Alofiana Khan-Pereira over on the right side toward a 20-8 lead with nine minutes remaining.

Latrell Mitchell went centimetres from scoring after squeezing through the Māori defence in the corresponding set.

South Sydney hearts were in mouths when Mitchell, who captained the Indigenous All Stars on Friday, was left on the ground hurt after some contact before playing out the rest of the match.

Xavier Willison pegged the final score back to a one try difference in the 78th minute.

The Māori All Stars lead for time in attacking half, time in possession of the ball, completion rates, tackle breaks (31-20) and running metres (1,227-819).

Following the match, Mitchell congratulated his side and the spectacle.

"Thank you to everyone who turned up today. All the mob. We love you," he said.

"Thanks to my brother's there. We represented a week well (and) our families. Thanks to our Māori brothers Kia Ora...We love the game just as much as you fellas.

"This game doesn't happen without the passion and pride that we have. Culture is everything. Culture first, family, and rugby league."