Indigenous women's team more experienced than Maori side

Sydney Roosters WNRL player Tazmin Gray.

Author: Tanisha Stanton NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp: Wed 16 Jan 2019, 10:01 PM

The women's Indigenous team have a slight edge in experience over the Maori Ferns heading into the NRL Harvey Norman All Stars match at AAMI Park on February 15.

There are eigth players in the Indigenous squad who have played either in the NRLW, for the Prime Ministers XIII or the Jillaroos, while the Kiwi side has seven players with NRLW or international experience.

Coaches have named 18-player squads but have not yet allocated positions for the first nations' clash.

The Indigenous team is expected to be headed up by former Jillaroos forwards Rebecca Young and Tallisha Harden, with the key players for the Maori Ferns being Warriors winger Hilda Peters and hooker Krystal Rota.

The match marks the first encounter between the cultures.

NRL General Manager of the Women's Elite Program Tiffany Slater said it's a great way to start the 2019 season.

Rebecca Young playing for NSW. ©Robb Cox/NRL Photos

"Our women's game had a landmark year in 2018, following the success of the Rugby League World Cup in 2017, where Australia took on New Zealand in the Final," Slater said.

"It's great to see the All Stars concept back again in 2019 and looking at the talent across both teams, fans should be set for an exciting match."