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Join our Fantasy SRP leaguePlayers defend All-Stars concept as debate rises around future
Sam Kosack • January 29th, 2026 7:49 pm
Debate has re-emerged around the continued presence of the All-Stars game on the rugby league calendar after nine players from last year’s match are set to be unavailable.
The annual pre-season clash between the Indigenous All Stars and Maori All Stars has been a staple on the rugby league calendar since 2019 after replacing the NRL All Stars clash.
The match has long been an important way of showcasing the best of Australia and New Zealand’s Indigenous cultures, but questions have risen around the long-term place of the game due to a declining number of recognised stars being available each year and the ever-growing schedule.
Players heading to Vegas for Round 1, Broncos’ players away for the World Club Challenge and those facing suspension, will be unavailable for the clash, while players may rest from the contest to manage injuries ahead of the upcoming 27 round season.
However, South Sydney Rabbitohs’ forward Jai Arrow has defended the contest, believing the educational and cultural value the game provides is too important to let go.
“I love the concept,” Arrow told SEN 1170 Drive.
“I love what it’s all about. I love how two cultures get to come together and… represent their names and family, and learn about it as well.
“It's definitely, as a fan, the one on the calendar that I look forward to.
“I love when boys are representing their culture and I suppose raising or teaching people like myself who probably aren't as cultured as they are to learn about what they're about.
“It doesn't go unknown that those two sides get stuck into each other, so I don't see why they would take that away from the fans.
“I love the concept and I'd love to see more of it.”
This year’s clash is expected to include many of Arrow’s Rabbitohs teammates including Cody Walker, Jayden Sullivan, and Jack Wighton. It is unclear if Latrell Mitchell and David Fifita will play after suffering from minor injuries during the pre-season.
However, the match will be missing some of rugby league’s biggest names including Kotoni Staggs, Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, and Leo Thompson as they will be overseas when the game is played on February 15 in New Zealand.
SEN’s Corey Parker was one to question the continued place of the game on the NRL calendar, with the lack of available stars the major question mark over the match.
“The All-Stars game… because of the scheduling of it and the timing of it, who's going to play?,” Parker questioned on SENQ Breakfast.
“Everyone's had an opinion in and around, well, maybe it's just not worth having, maybe it is, and everyone's got differing opinions.
“Clubs… won't come out and publicly say it, but they're reluctant to hand over their trump cards for an, inverted commas, exhibition match.
“I understand it brings so much more with it, but that's what the clubs are reluctant to do.”
Teams for the contest will be announced in the next week before teams go into camp.
The men’s Maori All Stars will be coached by Adam Blair, while the men’s Indigenous All Stars will be coached by Ron Griffiths.
