All Stars 2025: Kalyn Ponga makes rep return with the All Stars as big names skip marquee event

Kalyn Ponga infamously turned down the Kangaroos last year, but he’s back in the rep arena after the Knights fullback was named in the Maori side for the All Stars clash.

Kalyn Ponga will represent the Maori All Stars for the first time since 2020 just months after the superstar fullback made himself unavailable for the Kangaroos so he could focus on winning a comp with Newcastle.

His inclusion offsets a number of huge outs from both teams, with the likes of Nicho Hynes, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr missing for the Indigenous side, while Jahrome Hughes and Joseph Tapine won’t be there for the Maori team.

Ponga kicked four goals in a 30-16 win back in 2020, with the former Dally M Medal winner returning to the rep scene after he backflipped on his controversial call to make himself unavailable for the Pacific Championships, only to be overlooked by Mal Meninga anyway.

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He’s part of a strong side that includes former Golden Boot winner James Fisher-Harris, while the Indigenous side boasts plenty of speed in the backline which features Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tyrone Munro.

Next weekend’s game at CommBank Stadium will also see Olivia Kernick run out for the Indigenous women’s side, with the Dally M winner selected in the Jillaroos squad for next month’s Test against England having been sensationally snubbed for 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

Coach: Ronald Griffiths

Māori All Stars (Men)

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

Coach: Adam Blair

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

Coach: Jess Skinner

Māori All Stars (Women)

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

Coach: Keith Hanley