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Latrell to wear No.1 for Indigenous All Stars

Marquee South Sydney recruit Latrell Mitchell will start at fullback for the Indigenous All Stars but Cody Walker and Andrew Fifita are in doubt with injuries.

Indigenous coach Laurie Daley has named an explosive squad to face the Maori side at Cbus Super Stadium on February 22.

Mitchell will don the No.1 jersey that he wants to make his own at the Rabbitohs this year, though Daley doesn't intend to keep him in the custodian's role for the duration.

"I expect him to probably have a break at some stage given the intensity and the pace of the game. It usually finds the blokes out early," Daley told NRL.com.

"And we like to move [players] around and give them an opportunity."

Team announcement: Indigenous All Stars v Maori

The fitness of incumbent captain Walker and leading prop Fifita isn't as clear, as the duo push to overcome injuries.

Fifita had his knee cleaned out before Christmas while Walker is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

Daley said a decision on Walker and Fifita's availability will be made by their respective club doctors.

If fit, Walker is likely to play halfback alongside Jack Wighton at five-eighth. Tyrone Roberts, last year's Man of the Match in a 34-14 win, is a readymade No.7 replacement.

Broncos centre Jack Bird was initially picked but withdrew from the squad as he manages his comeback from an ACL injury. He was replaced by Warriors forward Josh Curran.

Kotoni Staggs was unavailable for selection due to a toe issue.

The Indigenous backline is once again stacked with speed and power.

Bolstered by Mitchell at the back, A-list wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Blake Ferguson and centres James Roberts and Jesse Ramien also provide serious strike.

Ryan James will make his return from an ACL injury and Daley is hoping the big man can crank out decent minutes with the team a touch light on forwards.

"I think he should be right," Daley said of James.

"We've got Josh Kerr, he played a bit last year which was good. Young Josh Curran gives us a bit of size. We've got a few players there that will probably have to play a bit longer than they do at their clubs.

"Some of the bigger outside backs might have to spend some time in the forwards."

David Fifita, Wade Graham, Adam Elliott and Joel Thompson are also among a mobile pack. Titans veteran Nathan Peats will line up at hooker.

As for the bench, Daley expects to inject Alex Johnston out wide and is planning to use Connor Watson in the middle, either at dummy-half or lock.

Daley acknowledged his troops are in for a tough match against the Maoris.

"They've got a very strong forward pack. And then you throw in Kalyn [Ponga] and Dylan Walker, so they've got some strike. Bailey Simonsson's a really good player," he said.

Meanwhile, internationals Tallisha Harden and Shakiah Tungai will lead the charge for Ben Jeffries' Indigenous Women's All Stars in their showdown with the Maori Women's All Stars.

Harden and Tungai both scored tries in the Jillaroos side which downed the Kiwi Ferns 28-8 at WIN Stadium last October.

Indigenous Women's All Stars: Jasmine Allende, Shaylee Bent, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Quincy Dodd, Layla Fauid, Tallisha Harden, Jenni-Sue Hoepper, Caitlan Johnston, Bobbi Law, Tanika Marshall, Steph Mooka, Kelsey Parkin, Kaitlyn Phillips, Shaniah Power, Rhiannon Revell-Blair, Simone Smith, Shakiah Tungai, Rebecca Young.

Get your tickets to see the best of the NRL’s Indigenous and Mãori players going head to head at Cbus Super Stadium on February 22

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The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

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