NRL2024: Indigenous All Stars defeat Maori All Stars with a 22โ14 victory by maintaining composure
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In front of 15,369 spectators at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, the Indigenous All Stars proved to be too strong for the Maori team, winning 22โ14.
Tropical Cyclone Lincoln dumped copious amounts of rain on Australia’s top end, but the treacherous conditions in North Queensland persisted. In his fourth All Stars game, Josh Addo-Carr was lethal, scoring twice in the first half and setting up the crucial victory.
After the haka and the Indigenous war cry, tensions were high, and both sides quickly scored goals.
The Maori All Stars were able to begin a set from inside the 20m after Dane Gagai forced the opening mistake of the match by diving into Latrell Mitchell. Joseph Tapine punished the Maori All Stars by carrying four defenders over the line for a touchdown.
The Indigenous men led 16โ8 at the main interval thanks to a stunning move by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and that proved to be sufficient cushion to win the game.
The fans erupted in delight when Tabuai Fidow tiptoed over the dead ball line to miraculously move the ball out of danger from an impossible position. The game lost a little of its sting in the second half due to rotations and exhaustion.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira gave his team an insurmountable lead by gathering a Nicho Hynes harbour bridge pass, which was the last nail in the coffin.
After missing the 2023 All Stars game, Addo-Carr was excellent. He scored two fantastic tries in a way that will instill great hope in Bulldogs supporters for this season.
Ten minutes after scoring his team’s first points in the left corner, the lightning-fast winger scored again, this time converting a late grubber from Braydon Trindall that Arthars botched to make it a try-scoring double. This performance was also accomplished in 2019. On his 11 carries, “The Foxx” gained 89 metres, breaking the line once and bursting three tackles.
Fortunately for the NRL clubs, most players survived the game without any injuries. The Roosters faithful held their breath in unison when Brandon Smith remained on the floor after Grant delivered a hip-drop-style tackle, but the nimble hooker continued to play until he was struck in the head by a stray knee with fifteen minutes remaining.
After a mid-air collision in the Indigenous in-goal, Khan-Pereira and Adam Pompey each took a minute to reassess their injuries before being ruled out for the major ones.
After taking a small head knock, Indigenous All Stars forward Jordan Grant left the field for a medical check-up, but he was declared concussion-free and returned to play after halftime.