Strange excited by depth of Māori talent for All Stars clash
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Māori All Stars coach John Strange is set to select the biggest contingent of New Zealand-based players in the concept’s history and expects fans in Hamilton to turn out for the women’s clash after smashing the NRLW’s stand-alone attendance record last season.
Strange, who last year led NSW to State of Origin glory and Sydney Roosters to the grand final, will take charge of the Māori wāhine for the first time against the Indigenous All Stars on February 15 at FMG Stadium Waikato.
A two-time NRLW premiership winning coach, Strange has Māori heritage through his mother Carol, who was born-and-raised in Rotorua before moving to Australia in her teens.
“I was assistant coach when the game was in Rotorua a few years ago [in 2023] and that was quite special for our family so to be going back to New Zealand as head coach is pretty cool,” said Strange, the 2025 NRLW coach of the year.
“It gives the girls in our side a chance to really connect with their culture. We have girls in New Zealand but there are ones who are born-and-bred in Australia, and they don’t get the opportunity to connect with their culture [during All Stars] as much as the Indigenous girls do.”
With the return of the Warriors to the NRLW last season, Strange has a bigger pool of New Zealand-based talent to choose from and the likes of Payton Takimoana, Shakira Baker and Matekino Gray are set to make their All Stars debuts.
Takimoana, 22, was the NRLW’s leading tryscorer with 15 tries in 11 NRLW appearances after switching codes with Baker, a former Black Ferns representative who made her Test debut for the Kiwi Ferns in last year’s Pacific Cup.
Gray, 20, moved home from the Titans to join the Warriors.
Payton Takimoana just keeps getting better
Star five-eighth Gayle Broughton has also returned to New Zealand after helping the Broncos win last year's premiership, and along with props Mya Hill-Moana and Harata Butler she has been a mainstay of Māori All Stars teams when available.
“There are a few players who are unavailable through injury like [Roosters secondrower] Olivia Kernick, who was going to play for us but she has had a bit of a tidy up for a shoulder,” Strange said.
“That’s a bit of a shame for us but it will still be a pretty good squad and I am happy with the players we have got.
“There is going to be more New Zealand-based girls this year than there has been and that is not intentional, but at the end of the day I have picked what I believe is the best squad and there just happens to be more New Zealand-based girls in it.
“There are some exciting players who I am looking forward to working with for the first time and there are also quite a lot I have coached.”
Maori Women perform an emotional Haka
The Warriors played three home matches at FMG Stadium Waikato last season, and each game exceeded the previous attendance record for a standalone NRLW fixture, with crowds of 5,712 v the Sharks, 5,968 v the Raiders and 7,195 v the Broncos.
Strange said the players were looking forward to strong support from fans in Hamilton for the All Stars double-header.
Match: Maori v Indigenous
Round 1 -
home Team
Maori
away Team
Indigenous
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
“It is exciting for the players to know that there are going to be people come out and support them, as well as the men, which was proven last year with the stand-alone NRLW games in Hamilton,” he said.
“With the fact that the All Stars is a double-header, I expect it will be a full house anyway but if they get out and support their women’s team like they did in the NRLW that is exciting for us.”
NRL Harvey Norman All Stars returns to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026.
Experience an event like no other on Sunday 15 February at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton. With Men’s, Women’s, plus a mixed touch football match taking place, there is no better way to kickstart the NRL season.
Tickets are now on sale for NRL Harvey Norman All Stars. Secure your seats here!
