Indigenous All Stars

Maori All Stars and Indigenous All Stars split rugby league series

In wet conditions in Sydney, Kodi Nikorima, Esan Marsters and captain Joseph Tapine scored tries for the Maori men.

Tapine was named player of the match for his try coupled with 125 running metres and seven tackle breaks.

He became the third Maori All Stars player in succession to win the Preston Campbell Medal after James Fisher-Harris (2021) and Brandon Smith (2020).

In the women's game, teenager Jaime Chapman scored two tries as the Indigenous All Stars won 18-8 win over the Maori All Stars.

Indigenous All Stars romp to win thanks to JT masterclass

Man of the match Thurston turned the game early in the second half, scoring a key try before laying on an inch-perfect kick for Dane Gagai to seal the result on Friday night in front of 20,241 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium.

After Mel Meninga's World team scored two tries in the shadows of half-time to make a game of it at 16-8, the Indigenous side found another gear.

First, Parramatta speedster Bevan French, who looks set to build on his standout rookie year, put in a curling chip off the side of his boot which bounced up for Thurston.

Indigenous All Stars means everything to Turner

The 24-year-old Coonabarabran Unicorns junior featured in the 2015 fixture and is in contention for a spot in next year's side with online voting set to close at 3pm on Friday. 

"It's everything to me to be honest," an emotional Turner told NRL.com.