Kalyn Ponga named five-eighth for Maoris against Indigenous All Stars

Kalyn Ponga will begin his transition into the halves for the Maori side against the Indigenous All Stars as he tries to match the feat successfully achieved by the great Darren Lockyer.

Kalyn Ponga has been named at five-eighth to face the Indigenous All Stars. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

• Roosters: SuperCoach study guide 2019

• Expert: NRL Physio’s 2019 casualty ward

Newcastle and Queensland superstar Kalyn Ponga has been named at five-eighth for the Maoris team to play an Indigenous All Stars side.

Ponga was voted in by fans and will line up as a playmaker for the February 15 match at AAMI Park, Melbourne.

Already told he will play number six for the Knights this season, Ponga will join Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes at the Maori scrum base.

Kalyn Ponga has been named at five-eighth to face the Indigenous All Stars. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

With Ponga in the front line, New Zealand’s Peta Hiku has taken the fullback spot.

Many believe Ponga, who made his Queensland debut last year, will now successfully transition from fullback to five-eighth, like the great Darren Lockyer.

This match will give Ponga another platform at an elite level to show his undoubted class.

South Sydney’s Dane Gagai resisted a chance to represent the Indigenous side in favour of the Maoris.

Ponga will be joined in the halves by Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Maori team, to be coached by Kiwi great Stacey Jones, will field an ominous pack which will include Jesse Bromwich, Jordan McLean, Adam Blair, Kevin Procter and Tohu Harris.

Senior representative players James Tamou and Gerard Beale have won places on the Maori bench.

Young Melbourne player Brandon Smith has been chosen at hooker.

It appears the Maoris have a stronger forward pack but the Indigenous side has an edge in the backs.

ALL STAR TEAMS

Indigenous:

1. Ben Barba (Cowboys)

2. Blake Ferguson (Eels)

3. Latrell Mitchell (Roosters)

4. James Roberts (Broncos)

5. Josh Addo-Carr (Storm)

6. Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)

7. Tyrone Roberts (Titans)

8. Andrew Fifita (Sharks)

9. Nathan Peats (Titans)

10. TBC,

11. David Fifita (Broncos)

12. Adam Elliott (Bulldogs)

13. Tyrone Peachey (Panthers)

14. Will Chambers (Storm)

15. Leilani Latu (Titans)

16. Chris Smith (Bulldogs)

17. Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs)

18. Jesse Ramien (Knights)

19. Tyrell Fuimaono (Panthers)

20. Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)

Maori:

1. Peta Hiku (Warriors)

2. Dane Gagai (Rabbitohs)

3. Esan Marsters (Tigers)

4. Dean Whare (Panthers)

5. Jordan Kahu (Broncos)

6. Kalyn Ponga (Knights)

7. Jahrome Hughes (Storm)

8. Jesse Bromwich (Storm)

9. Brandon Smith (Storm)

10. Jordan McLean (Cowboys)

11. Kevin Proctor (Titans)

12. Tohu Harris (Warriors)

13. Adam Blair (Warriors)

14. Danny Levi (Knights)

15. Brad Takairangi (Eels)

16. James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)

17. James Tamou (Panthers)

18. Gerard Beale (Warriors)

19. Corey Harawira-Naera (Bulldogs)

20. Joseph Tapine (Raiders)

Every game of every round of the NRL Telstra Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. SIGN UP NOW!

Originally published as Kalyn Ponga named five-eighth for Maoris against Indigenous All Stars