Kalyn Ponga vs Latrell Mitchell to headline next month’s NRL All Stars clash on the Gold Coast
Queensland whiz-kid Kalyn Ponga and recent Rabbitohs recruit Latrell Mitchell will go head-to-head in next month’s All Stars clash on the Gold Coast.
NRL
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Queensland whiz-kid Kalyn Ponga and recent Rabbitohs recruit Latrell Mitchell will go head-to-head in next month’s highly-anticipated All Stars clash on the Gold Coast.
The NRL has this afternoon unveiled the squads for the Indigenous and Maori squads ahead of the star-studded match at Cbus Super Stadium on February 22.
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Ponga has been selected for the Maori All Stars side alongside the likes of Storm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Warriors halfback Kodi Nikorima.
Ponga will this year line up at fullback for the Maori side after he was played at five-eighth in last year’s match.
Maori All Stars coach David Kidwell said the No.1 jersey was where Ponga played best.
“Kalyn will be playing at fullback and that contest with Latrell Mitchell … it will be the price of admission for itself to see,” Kidwell said.
“Kalyn will definitely be playing at fullback. He’s young, skilful, he’s dynamic.
“I think that’s his best position. That’s where he’s most comfortable. He can swing both sides of the field.”
Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley has named Mitchell in his side, as well as Brisbane sensation David Fifita and Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr.
Mitchell is also set to line up in the fullback role for the Indigenous All Stars, despite not playing in the No.1 jersey since his debut year in 2016.
Daley said he never hesitated in his decision to play the South Sydney recruit at fullback in the upcoming All Stars match.
“I didn’t (hesitate) because the votes suggested he always play at fullback,” Daley said on NRL.com.
“Fitness wise, I hope he’s up to speed.
“I say he won’t be there for the whole 80 minutes. Depending how he goes, he might have a spell.
“I’ve done it with Greg Inglis before. Those outside backs I tell them they might share it around.
“I’m looking forward to having Latrell there. He could be the best player in the competition if he wants to be. Hopefully he’s set for a big year.”
Daley’s squad are looking to defend their 34-14 win over the Maori side from last year’s fixture in Melbourne.
Only Maori selection Esan Masters remains under an injury cloud for the match after suffering an ankle injury towards the end of last year.
It will be the first time the All Stars exhibition will be played on the Gold Coast since its inception a decade ago and just the second time the Indigenous side play the Maori All Stars - who replaced the World All Stars team in the previous encounters.
The ARL Commission is also likely to make a decision next week on whether to scrap the performance of national anthems before the All Stars match.
Several players snubbed the singing of Advance Australia Fair before last year’s match in Melbourne and is likely to do the same again this year.
The contentious issues is likely to be discussed during the upcoming ARL Commission meeting on February 6.
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INDIGENOUS MEN
Josh Curran
Josh Addo-Carr
Adam Elliott
Blake Ferguson
Andrew Fifita
David Fifita
Wade Graham
Ryan James
Josh Kerr
Alex Johnston
Latrell Mitchell
Tyrone Peachey
Nathan Peats
Jesse Ramien
James Roberts
Tyrone Roberts
Joel Thompson
Cody Walker
Connor Watson
Jack Wighton
MAORI MEN
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Adam Blair
Jesse Bromwich
Kenneath Bromwich
Corey Harawira-Naera
Jahrome Hughes
Issac Luke
Esan Marsters
Briton Nikora
Kodi Nikorima
Kalyn Ponga
Kevin Proctor
Bailey Simonsson
Brandon Smith
Brad Takairangi
James Tamou
Zane Tetevano
Dylan Walker
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Malakai Watene Zelezniak
INDIGENOUS WOMEN
Jasmine Allende
Shaylee Bent
Nakia Davis-Welsh
Quincy Dodd
Layla Fauid
Tallisha Harden
Jennie-Sue Hoepper
Caitlan Johnson
Bobbi Law
Tanika Marshall
Steph Mooka
Kelsey Parkin
Kaitlyn Phillips
Shaniah Power
Rhiannon Revell-Blair
Simone Smith
Shakiah Tungai
Rebecca Young
MAORI WOMEN
Harata Butler
Sarina Clark
Tanika Jazz Bell-Noble
Laishon Jones
Amber Kani
Kerehitina Matua
Raecene McGregor
Corban McGregor
Capri Paekau
Krystal Rota
Christyl Stowers
Kiana Takairangi
Jonsal Tautari
Botille Vette-Welsh
Maddison Weatherall
Geneva Webber
Kathleen Wharton
Kat Wira-Kohu
Originally published as Kalyn Ponga vs Latrell Mitchell to headline next month’s NRL All Stars clash on the Gold Coast