The NRL has revamped the All-Stars concept with the Australian Indigenous team to take on the Māori Kiwis next year.
Action from the 2013 NRL All Star Game played between the NRL All Stars v Indigenous All Stars at Suncorp Stadium. Photo: Photosport
The concept has been overhauled with the World All Stars side being replaced for the clash at Melbourne's AAMI Park in February.
The pre-season contest has been plagued by player withdrawals and the inclusion of a Māori side was seen as a way of combating the problem.
It's hoped the lure of representing their culture will ensure some of the game's top line stars take part in the pre-season match.
The All-Stars were absent from this year's rugby league calendar because of concerns about player fatigue following last year's World Cup.
But it will return in 2019. It also marks the first time the game has been played in Melbourne after being staged in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Newcastle in previous years.
"The All-Stars concept has been popular with crowds across the country and abroad since it first commenced back in 2010," NRL head of football Brian Canavan said.
"In 2019, we're taking the All-Stars to another level - paying homage to Australian and New Zealand First Nations cultures and celebrating the unique bond between both countries."
The match will also be a double-header with a women's game to act as a curtain raiser.
- AAP
