Indigenous women win All Stars clash, men fall short in dramatic finish

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All Stars? On a dewy Parramatta pitch, it was more a case of no stars.

This fixture has provided so many spectacular moments. Wendell Sailor scoring and then turning the corner post into a didgeridoo. Greg Inglis rising above his teammates like a Kangaroo during the war dance. Josh Addo-Carr paying homage to Nicky Winmar.

The Maori men celebrate victory.Credit: Getty Images

Where was this year’s big moment going to come from?

Big moments come from big personalities. Alas, for various reasons, most of them were unavailable.

No Latrell. No Foxx. No Nicho.

There was a lack of star power and the game suffered. Not even a close and exciting finish - it seemed somewhat appropriate that Indigenous halfback Niwhai Puru knocked on trying to score the match-winning try - could mask that there was something missing.

Yes, there was the occasional highlight, like Brent Naden running down a seemingly runaway Mawene Hiroti.

They were few and far between.

Jacob Laban scores the match-winning try.Credit: Getty Images

This game couldn’t hold a candle to the women’s game that preceded it, where all of the big names took their place. The lack of star power contributed to a drab affair.

It must prompt a debate about the place of the game in the NRL calendar. During grand final week, perhaps?

There are going to be challenges regardless of the landing point. Would playing it during grand final week add or detract from the Koori Knockout? If you wait a week later, does it get overshadowed by Bathurst? Are the clubs more likely to pressure the players not to play at the end of the year?

There is no perfect answer, but all of these questions need to be asked.

Of course, the All Stars is about more than just the football. It’s about celebrating culture, of representing community. It’s a game that must be retained.

But this year’s match will not linger long in the memory. And that won’t be a bad thing.

That’s full-time in Parramatta, and the Maori All Stars walk away with victory.

Here are the stats from the match.

We’re into the final two minutes of this match, and things are getting tense.

Niwhai Puru send the ball into the air, and Maori utility Keano Kini tries to take the ball on the run. He knocks on, and hands the Indigenous All Stars a full set. It’s probably their last chance to have a crack at victory.

Indigenous 6, Maori 10

Jacob Laban has put the Maori All Stars ahead for the first time tonight, with a try late in this second half.

The successful conversion from Kodi Nikorima means the visitors have a four-point lead with 11 minutes to go.

Maori 10, Indigenous 6

Jesse Arthars keeps the Maori men in the game with a try in the third quarter.

Just 15 minutes left in this match.

Ask, and you shall receive.

Indigenous All Stars captain Shaquai Mitchell scores straight after the break to give his team the lead in this second half.