2023 NRL All Stars betting tips & odds – Maori v Indigenous
| Maori All Stars v Indigenous All Stars NRL Betting Odds & Game Info | |
|---|---|
| Best odds | Maori $2.25 at Marantelli Bet | Indigenous $1.62 at Marantelli Bet |
| When | Saturday, February 11 | 5:40pm NZDT |
| Where | Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand |
| Last time they met | Maori 16–10 Indigenous (Feb 12, 2022) |
| Watch live | Nine, Fox Sports, Kayo |
The NRL All Stars game is back in 2023 with the Māori and Indigenous sides facing off at Rotorua International Stadium in New Zealand on Saturday. Both sides are littered with talent in different areas, which should make for a very interesting clash.
The Māori side named has an incredibly strong forward pack featuring James Fisher-Harris as captain with Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine, and Jordan Riki in the side. Meanwhile, the Indigenous team has assembled a star-studded backline featuring Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Selwyn Cobbo and Latrell Mitchell.
The $2.25 at Ladbrokes for the Māori side clearly factors in two previous wins, including the 2022 instalment. However, based on the talent named in the outside backs, the $1.62 for the Indigenous side is an incredibly strong bet.
Dry, sunny conditions in Rotorua in the leadup to this match will create brilliant try-scoring conditions. While these two sides have not spent a long period of time training together, the talent is certainly there to put on points. The Indigenous left-edge attack looks the most dangerous with Walker ($3.90) and Cobbo ($2.05) expected to combine often, so look for these two to score a try each during the match.
With the talented outside backs the Indigenous side have, including a smaller, more mobile forward pack, they should play a faster, more expansive game of football that will fatigue the Māoris quickly, weakening their defence. This should create the scenario where the Indigenous side complete the halftime/fulltime double ($2.20).
While it may be the case that sides are presented with opportunities to score points, both will lack the continuity to take full advantage of those opportunities on offer. That should see the points total fall below the 39.5 line ($1.90).
Key matchup: Joseph Tapine v J’maine Hopgood
The battle between the two locks will be an excellent contest not only for this match, but also as a preview for the NRL season to come. Joseph Tapine was arguably the best forward of the NRL in 2022, destroying opponents with his sheer size and strength while also having the skills to offload for second-phase play. J’maine Hopgood is said to be a workhorse style of player that could be starting for the Eels in the 2023 NRL season. Hopgood will be given a clinic in what it takes to be a fulltime first-grade forward in the NRL — and should he nullify Tapine’s impact, he will give his Indigenous side an enormous boost.
