NRL 2024: Maori All Stars defeat Indigenous All Stars, Gagai the late hero

A blade of grass has denied the Indigenous All Stars their third win in a row as the Maori side held on for a memorable win in a match that roared to life in the final few minutes.

A blade of grass has denied the Indigenous All Stars their third win in a row as the Maori side held on for a 10-6 win in a match that roared to life in the final few minutes following incredible pre-game scenes in the middle of CommBank Stadium.

The clash of cultures before kick-off gave everyone at the ground goosebumps, with the passion of both sides unlike anything we see in the NRL every week.

It capped a special week in Sydney where players young and old learnt about the past and stepped up as leaders of the future.

The game itself was the lowest-scoring in All Stars and was always going to struggle to live up to the classic moments of the past with stars like Latrell Mitchell, Nicho Hynes, Josh Addo-Carr and Cody Walker missing.

The Maori side held on thanks to a Jacob Laban try with 13 minutes to go, but it could have been a very different result thanks to a couple of huge plays from Brent Naden.

Jacob Laban scores the matchwinner for the Maori All Stars. Picture: Getty Images

Naden fell out of favour at the Tigers last year but showed coach Benji Marshall that he’s fully committed in 2025 with an epic chase to somehow deny Mawene Hiroti who looked certain to score.

That kept the Indigenous All Stars in the contest, and they thought they’d tied things up with five minutes to go when Naden crashed over in the corner, only for the Bunker to spot a toe in touch before he got it down.

There was one final twist when Niwhai Puru got up celebrating a try in the final 90 seconds, but referee Todd Smith was in the perfect position to rule that he lost it over the line.

SHAQ ATTACK

Latrell Mitchell may have missed the game through suspension, but it was still a big night for the family with Shaquai captaining the side and crossing for the first try of the contest.

A dour match sprung into life just two minutes into the second half when the South Sydney prop powered his way over from close range, with the Indigenous All Stars denied a second moments later when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had a try taken away.

Shaquai Mitchell celebrates his try. Picture: Getty Images

Mitchell made his debut in this game in 2022 before he’d played an NRL match, and he could force his way into the Rabbitohs 17 at some stage this season given they need some size now that Tom Burgess is playing in the Super League.

PONGA KEPT QUIET

Kalyn Ponga was the biggest name in Saturday’s clash, but the Newcastle superstar was kept quiet on a night where points were at a premium.

Slippery conditions in Parramatta turned the annual fixture into a defensive slog where players consistently slipped over, with Ponga unable to conjure his usual magic in his first game for the Maoris in five years.

Maori All Stars’ Kalyn Ponga is wrapped up by the defence. Picture: Getty Images

Ponga did produce one key play in defence when he raced across to smash Tyrone Munro who looked set to open the scoring.

He was outplayed by Keano Kini who looked dangerous with every touch, although Titans coach Des Hasler would have been a little worried when his fullback was hit high by teammate Brian Kelly.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Maori All Stars defeat Indigenous All Stars, Gagai the late hero