True Blues Josh Addo-Carr and Kennedy Cherrington have spoken about the importance of culture after being among 12 True Blues who will feature in this weekend’s NRL All Stars at FMG Stadium Waikato this Sunday 15 February.
Addo-Carr, whose return to form at Parramatta last season saw him selected for the Australian Kangaroos for last year’s Ashes tour, will represent the Indigenous All Stars for the fifth time. Cherrington, who was part of the Westpac NSW Blues Women’s team that reclaimed the Ampol State of Origin Shield last year, will line up for her second appearance for the Māori All Stars.
For Addo-Carr, All Stars isn’t just another game. It is about representing his Indigenous heritage, identity, and family with pride; especially now that his son is growing up and watching him play.
“My son, little Fox, he is like my little shadow. He is my little best mate,” Addo-Carr told NRL.com.
“If I can show him and teach him who he is and where he is from, by seeing his dad do his thing, then when he grows up, he can hopefully chase his dreams and be proud of where he comes from and who he is.”
For Cherrington, the All Stars fixture represents something deeply personal. The Westpac NSW Blues Women’s forward - who has been named at lock for the Māori Wahine Toa - has spent recent years reconnecting with her roots and is embracing the opportunity to represent not just herself, but her ancestors.
"Culture is at the forefront of who I am so to represent not only myself, but my family and my ancestors who came before me, means so much,” Cherrington told NRL.com.
In addition to the on-field representation, Westpac NSW Blues Women’s coach John Strange will lead the Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Wahine Toa All Stars.
The 12 True Blues selected for the All Stars matches include:
- Josh Addo-Carr (Indigenous Men)
- Connor Watson (Indigenous Men)
- Nicholas Hynes (Indigenous Men)
- Jack Wighton (Indigenous Men)
- Jaime Chapman (Indigenous Women)
- Quincy Dodd (Indigenous Women)
- Shaylee Bent (Indigenous Women)
- Kirra Dibb (Indigenous Women)
- Taliah Fuimaono (Indigenous Women)
- Grace Kemp (Indigenous Women)
- Kennedy Cherrington (Māori Women)
- Corban Baxter (Māori Women)
Match schedule
1:30pm (AEDT): Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Wahine Toa All Stars vs Australian Indigenous Women’s All Stars
3:45pm (AEDT): Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Tane All Stars vs Australian Indigenous Men’s All Stars
