RUGBY LEAGUE

SPORT

All Star is ready for ‘grinding’ contest

NICK WRIGHT

JENNI-SUE Hoepper clearly recalls the first time she pulled on the Indigenous All Stars jersey.

She remembers feeling the passion, the pride and the atmosphere around her.

Despite reaching the heights in rugby league there is something special about lining up in an All Stars clash for the former Jillaroo.

“You run out and you’re representing where you’re from, your family, your people,” Hoepper said.

“Every camp is different but this one I really enjoy because there’s that cultural part of it.”

Hoepper is one of two Cairns products in the Indigenous All Stars team, with Stephanie Mooka set to slot into the wing.

Townsville-based Hoepper made history in 2015 when she became the inaugural recipient of the Dally M Women’s Player of the Year award.

But even now, she is still ticking off new achievements for her glowing resume.

The halfback was missing from the Indigenous All Stars side last year when they took on the Maori All Stars as she battled to overcome lower back issues.

On that occasion, her teammates succumbed to an 8-4 loss after their opponent’s forwards dominated in territory and possession.

As a playmaker, Hoepper needs the ball in hand and a strong platform laid by her own pack. But ahead of her first match against the New Zealand side she put the onus on herself and halves partner, Simone Smith, to work in tandem with the team’s enforcers.

“We know it will be a grinding game … our forwards know their role, what they need to do and how to play a lot smarter against a very physical forward pack,” Hoepper said.

“They know their push support is very important, and we have plenty of speed in the team so we want to make sure we play to our strengths.”

Saturday’s All Stars clash will kick off at 4.10pm on the Gold Coast.