Match Centre

Matches: NRL Women's All Stars: Indigenous v Maori Ferns

Josh Robertson previews this Friday's battle between the Indigenous Women's All Stars and the Maori Ferns All Stars.

After a strong inaugural NRLW season, the NRL Women's All Stars match returns after a 12-month break and the 2019 edition will arguably be the biggest one yet. Just like the men's match, the clash will be between the Indigenous All Stars taking on the Maori Ferns with a mix of familiar NRLW faces, intertwined with some fresh faces.

The Women's All Stars matches first began in 2011 with six matches being played since then, with the Indigenous all-stars only managing one win over that time. The lone victory for the Indigenous women came in the most recent contest in 2017, when they took a 14-4 win over the Women's World All Stars.

Compared with 2017, the Indigenous team has had a big change in personnel, with just one player remaining in the lineup in 2019. The Indigenous All Stars come into the game with five players contracted to NRLW sides - four of them having played in the inaugural NRLW season in 2018.

Meanwhile, the Maori All Stars make their first appearance in the annual clash and come into the contest with seven NRLW-contracted players - all seven having played during the NRLW 2018 season, including Roosters grand-finalist Zahara Temara.

Who to watch: Amber Pilley - The Broncos premiership winner will be a key member of the Indigenous All Stars squad in the centres. The 21-year-old played in all four of Brisbane's matches last season and although she didn't score a try during the short season, she was a key part of the Broncos' attack.

Zahara Temara - Spending the first two matches of the NRLW season out of position, Temara made a big impact when she moved into her preferred position in the halves, where she will play for the Maori All Stars. Temara had three try-assists during the NRLW season, with one coming in the grand-final. Her great poise in attack will be a key for the Maori Ferns.

My tip: This game will be an interesting contest and form can go out of the window in games like this one, both sides have an interesting mix of NRLW experience and new talent. Both sides have solid experience in the halves but the Maori women have a touch more experience at the highest level, and I think that's what will get them home. Maori Ferns by 6.