Bunker drama: Indigenous All Stars win epic clash thanks to controversial late penalty goal

The women’s All Stars clash has gone down to the wire with a controversial Bunker call helping the Indigenous side win a thriller.

The Indigenous All Stars have pulled off a dramatic 20-18 win in the women’s game thanks to a controversial late penalty goal following an attempted charge down gone wrong in the dying minutes.

The Maori side opened up an 18-12 lead but were run down in the final minute when Lailani Montgomery nailed a penalty goal from 10 metres out and directly in front.

Montgomery was only on the field because first-choice kicker Kirra Dibb was off with a leg injury after she was trapped awkwardly in a tackle, with the youngster scuffing her field goal attempt from close range.

But that’s when the drama started, with the Indigenous side challenging the call, with replays showing Ash Quinlan had made minor contact with Montgomery’s plant leg.

It was enough for Bunker official Matt Noyen to reverse the decision, with Montgomery making no mistake from close range.

A last minute successful challenge gives the Indigenous All-Stars the win with the last kick of the game! 🤯🤯

📺 Watch #NRLAllStars on ch.503 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/pCuscyfpfa
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/HPFiKXhE4D
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/hujqzganTopic.twitter.com/gGKSEd06rv

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) February 15, 2025

FAST CAR

Jaime Chapman missed out on the Jillaroos squad for next month’s Test against England, but the lightning quick outside back showed selectors what they’re missing out on after she starred for the Indigenous All Stars in their comeback win.

Chapman was disappointed to miss out on selection for last year’s Pacific Championships and was unable to force her way into the squad for Vegas for the historic clash.

It’s not easy trying to win a spot in the stacked Australian side, but interim coach Jess Skinner – also the Indigenous women’s coach – would’ve been impressed by Chapman who shifted to fullback and carved up in the first half.

She powered her way over to give her side an early 10-0 lead and was in a league of her own in the first half, running for 81 metres – 50 more than the next best Indigenous player.

She appeared to tweak her hamstring in the act of scoring and was eventually replaced but came back on at the death, with Chapman set to light it for the Titans when the NRLW resumes later this year.

"We've got a game on our hands" 👀

Ella Koster finds the corner on Indigenous All-Stars debut 🔥

📺 Watch #NRLAllStars on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/pCuscyfpfa
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/HPFiKXhE4D
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/hujqzganTopic.twitter.com/dFIlyWVjbX

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) February 15, 2025

HIP DROP DRAMA

There was an ugly moment in the second half when the Maori side was reduced to 12 players when Tiana Raftstrand-Smith was sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle on Bobbi Law.

Law hobbled from the field before Raftstrand-Smith was marched for 10 minutes, with Ella Koster taking advantage of the extra space to cross in the corner to cut the gap to two points.

The Indigenous side then made it 18-all with six minutes to go thanks to a captain’s challenge for a ball strip.

GOLDEN BOOT

Maori halfback Raecene McGregor was presented her 2022 Golden Boot award on Friday afternoon, but her trusty right foot couldn’t ice the game when she sprayed a field goal attempt to the right.

She still had a terrific game with an assist and a forced dropout, with her short kicking game a huge point of difference.

Originally published as Bunker drama: Indigenous All Stars win epic clash thanks to controversial late penalty goal