Stars still to shine in NZ

PAY WOES SET ASIDE

THE ongoing confusion around the collective bargaining agreement hasn’t stopped some of the biggest names in rugby league, including Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr, from making themselves available for next month’s All Stars clash in Rotorua.

The squads for the men’s and women’s matches on February 11 were released on Wednesday ahead of what will be the first All Stars match played in New Zealand.

There were concerns that players could boycott the annual fixture as tensions reached boiling point over the CBA, which should have been finalised three months ago, but it appears they’ll continue to vent their anger in other ways.

Fears over player welfare have been raised leading into the pre-season clash, with huge concerns over the female stars who haven’t signed longterm NRLW deals and would risk the ability to earn a big contract if they were hurt.

An NRL spokesperson confirmed that players would be insured for the All Stars game in a small win for the women, with one of the most vocal critics of the stalled CBA negotiations, Kennedy Cherrington, named in the Maori side after winning the World Cup with the Jillaroos last year.

Knights superstar Tamika Upton, however, has withdrawn from the match with players’ futures at risk.

The Maori side won last year’s men’s clash and they’ve named a formidable side featuring a stack of New Zealand stars from last year’s World Cup, including reigning Golden Boot winner Joseph Manu.

But they will be missing some familiar faces with Kalyn Ponga (calf) and the Bromwich brothers not named.

Maori forward Jordan Riki said he was excited for the match but conceded players could consider withdrawing if there had not been sufficient progress in CBA talks.

“I love to represent my culture, (it’s) always a big thing for me,” he said. “I’m hoping it goes ahead but at the end of the day if it doesn’t I fully understand and back the players’ (union) – they’ve got my 100 per cent backing.”

The Indigenous men’s side is loaded with NRL talent led by Mitchell, Addo-Carr and Jack Wighton, as well as Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes.

The Maori women’s side looks incredible on paper and will be out to avenge last year’s defeat to the Indigenous All Stars.