Indigenous All Stars vs Maori All Stars Prediction: Another heated contest ahead

The NRL All Stars day is set to take place in Townsville, North Queensland, in 2024, bringing together the Indigenous and Māori All Stars sides for a celebration of culture and rugby league this Friday. In the previous year's men's All Stars game, the Indigenous All Stars secured a thrilling 28-24 victory. Simultaneously, the women's match in Rotorua saw the Māori All Stars emerge victorious with a 16-12 win.

The Indigenous side will showcase the talents of Latrell Mitchell in the fullback position, leading a formidable backline featuring stars such as Josh Addo-Carr, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kotoni Staggs, and Alofiana Khan-Pereira. The team will be guided by the Cronulla pairing of Braydon Trindell and Nicho Hynes, the recipient of the 2023 Preston Campbell Medal.

The Maori side will see Jahrome Hughes taking charge in the playmaking role, with support from Dolphins half Kodi Nikorima. The Maori team's prowess lies prominently in their forward pack, particularly in the back row, where hard-runners Briton Nikora, Kenny Bromwich, and Joseph Tapine are set to make a significant impact.

The upcoming match is set to occur in Townsville, the same location where these two teams faced off in 2021, resulting in a 10-10 draw. While this match is anticipated to be closely contested, my prediction leans towards the Indigenous side securing the victory, primarily due to the strength of their dynamic backline. I anticipate the Indigenous team to cover the 2.5-point spread as favorites, albeit narrowly, relying on the expectation that they will surpass their team total of 22.5 points.