‘We’ve earned that right’: Māori proud to host All Stars for first time

As the New Zealand Māori Rugby League approach their fifth year of involvement in the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars, their chairperson John Devonshire believes the time is right for the event to head across the Tasman.

Next year the annual showpiece will be held outside of Australia for the first time, with Rotorua confirmed as the host city on Monday at a ceremony attended by NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (ARLIC) chair Katrina Fanning and other dignitaries, including representatives from Te Arawa (the local people of the land).

Devonshire said he had been hoping to bring the event to New Zealand ever since the Māori first took part in the All Stars in 2019.

“It’s something that from the very first game we envisaged. But we had to prove ourselves, it was about respect,” Devonshire said.

“We’ve experienced their (Indigenous) culture, we’ve been to Melbourne, we’ve been to the Gold Coast, Townsville and Sydney.

We proved that we could be competitive, organised and professional in our dealings and we earned respect.

John Devonshire New Zealand Māori Rugby League chair

“Now I’m pleased to say that we’ve earned that right for them to come over.

“In conjunction with the Te Arawa people, it’s our turn to show our hospitality and how we do it as a people, as Māori, and give them a chance to experience our culture.”

Rather than taking the event to a bigger city, the NRL has opted to play the All Stars at the cultural epicentre of New Zealand, located 230kms south of Auckland.

Rotorua was the first city in New Zealand to be declared bilingual (English and Māori) and 40 percent of its residents identify as Māori.

Abdo said with that in mind, it is a perfect place to host the cultural showpiece.

“From a community perspective this makes sense for us to play here. This is an incredibly special place and Te Arawa represents the Māori culture in a way that is truly authentic,” Abdo said.

“It was an easy decision to make this the first place that we play this historic match in New Zealand.

“We are incredibly excited for what this offers us next year.”

Rotorua International Stadium, which has a capacity of around 20,000, most recently hosted the NRL Telstra Premiership trial between the Warriors and Wests Tigers in 2020, while the Kiwis played Papua New Guinea and Tonga there in 2010 and 2009 respectively.

Fanning added that the ARLIC are proud to help bring the concept to New Zealand, despite their being demand to hold it in Australia again.

“I know that this is culturally the right place to bring this game,” Fanning said.

“When the All Stars started it was a great concept, but the inclusion of the Māori All Stars made it excellent.

“We are really proud to be part of bringing the game here.”