NRL All Stars

Fay at the double as Māori women reclaim All Stars title

Fay scored the first and last tries of the match, as well as producing a brilliant covering tackle when the game was tied at 12-12, just as the Indigenous looked set to score a length of the field try.

Co-captain Shannon Mato and fullback Gayle Broughton, on her way to the Trish Hina Medal as Player of the Match, also starred for Keith Hanley's side, as they won the annual clash for the third time. 

The Māori raced out of the gates to score twice in the first quarter, while holding the Indigenous to a penalty goal, but at half-time the gap had been reduced to 8-6. 

Sonny of a gun: The inspiration behind Johnston's try scoring feats

That’s how the man who last year scored more tries in a season than anyone since 1954 introduces himself in a promotional video for Kari Foundation ahead of his fifth appearance for the Indigenous All Stars at CommBank Stadium on February 12.

Yet for most of his career Johnston had wanted to play fullback and he was almost lost to the Rabbitiohs two years ago because he craved the No.1 jersey while Wayne Bennett believed his best position was wing.

All Stars, Charity Shield, double-headers headline pre-season

The Harvey Norman NRL All Stars will again kick off the season, with the 2022 fixture in Sydney for the first time on February 12, followed by two full rounds of NRL trials and the re-scheduled 2021 NRLW competition on February 27.

The opening round of the NRL premiership begins on March 10, with premiers Penrith hosting Manly.

NRL clubs will play trials on Friday night, Saturday, Sunday and Monday night from February 18 to February 28, with a 10-day break before the start of the competition.

NSW set to rival Queensland for Indigenous representation

While the Origin teams aren't named for another three weeks, there are more players of Indigenous heritage under genuine consideration for Blues selection than in any previous series, with the possibility of a three-quarter line-up featuring Blake Ferguson, Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts and Josh Addo-Carr.

Wade Graham is expected to be selected if fit, while Tyrone Peachey is in strong contention for a utility role, and Jack Bird and Nathan Peats are incumbent members of a Blues team which last year fielded more Indigenous players than the Maroons for the first time.