Kalyn Ponga to Represent Maori All Stars Again After Three Years

Kalyn Ponga will represent the Maori All Stars for the first time since 2020, just months after he decided not to play for the Kangaroos to focus on winning a championship with Newcastle.

His inclusion helps compensate for several notable absences from both teams, with players like Nicho Hynes, Latrell Mitchell, and Josh Addo-Carr out for the Indigenous side. The Maori team will also miss Jahrome Hughes and Joseph Tapine.

Ponga successfully kicked four goals during a 30-16 win back in 2020. The former Dally M Medal winner is making a return to representative football after reversing his earlier decision to not participate in the Pacific Championships, although he was ultimately overlooked by Mal Meninga.

He joins a robust lineup that includes former Golden Boot winner James Fisher-Harris. Meanwhile, the Indigenous side has a rapid backline featuring Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and Tyrone Munro.

The game, set for next weekend at CommBank Stadium, will see Olivia Kernick compete for the Indigenous women's side. Kernick, the Dally M winner, has been selected in the Jillaroos squad for next month's Test against England after being controversially omitted from the Pacific Championships.

Indigenous All Stars (Men)

Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Jayden Campbell, Joshua Curran, Tallis Duncan, Brian Kelly, Josh Kerr, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Dylan Lucas, Shaquai Mitchell, Tyrone Munro, Brent Naden, Hohepa Puru, Niwhai Puru, Ethan Roberts, Blake Steep, Jayden Sullivan, Jacob Sykes, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Connor Watson, Jack Wighton

Jesse Arthars, Zach Dockar-Clay, James Fisher-Harris, Dane Gagai, Mawene Hiroti, Royce Hunt, Keano Kini, Jacob Laban, Jeremy Marshall-King, Jesse McLean, Kurtis Morrin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Kalyn Ponga, Jordan Riki, Jazz Tevaga, Leo Thompson, Taine Tuaupiki, William Warbrick, Xavier Willison

Indigenous All Stars (Women)

Essay Banu, Jaime Chapman, Bree Chester, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Kirra Dibb, Quincy Dodd, Monique Donovan, Taliah Fuimaono, Tallisha Harden, Keilee Joseph, Tommaya Kelly-Sines, Grace Kemp, Olivia Kernick, Ella Koster, Bobbi Law, Evah McEwen, Lailani Montgomery, Mahalia Murphy, Jasmine Peters, Taneka Todhunter

Lilly-Ann White, Annessa Biddle, Harata Butler, Kennedy Cherrington, Reuben Cherrington, Laikha Clarke, Zali Fay, Najvada George, Taneisha Gray, Tyla King, Shannon Mato, Kerehitina Matua, Raecene McGregor, Shanice Parker, Rima Pirini Butler, Ashleigh Quinlan, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, Jasmin Strange, Pauline Suli-Ruka, Chante Temara