Pānui added: Monday 08 December 2025

As it is on the marae, whānau sits at the heart of the Indigenous and Māori All Stars concept. A key expression of that value is the central role of wāhine. ANZMRL Chair John Devonshire says the inclusion and visibility of wāhine is fundamental, not optional.

“It embraces the whole whānau concept, and the NRLW has provided a powerful platform for our wāhine to shine. Both our Indigenous and Māori cultures place a strong emphasis on family, so I am incredibly pleased that our wāhine receive the acknowledgement and recognition they so richly deserve.”

The growth of the NRLW has created meaningful pathways for wāhine to lead, influence, and excel - on and off the field. The Māori All Stars playing squad is currently being finalised and will be announced in due course. While that process continues, we are proud to highlight our coach and manager who are already shaping our All Stars Wāhine campaign:
 

MĀORI ALL STARS WĀHINE COACH
John Strange

Ko Makeo te Maunga
Ko Waiaua te Awa
Ko Mataatua te Waka
Ko Omarumutu te Marae
Ko Ngati Ruatakenga toku hapū
Ko Te Whakatohea toku Iwi

Last 5 years
2021-2025 Sydney Roosters NRLW Head Coach
2025 Women’s NSW State of Origin coach
2023-2024 Aotearoa NZ Maori All Stars Wahine Toa Assistant Coach

What All Stars means to me
A great opportunity to further connect with our culture and celebrate who we are and where we come from through rugby league. Coaching the Māori Wāhine holds special meaning for me, as it allows me to give back and honour the wāhine in my whānau, tracing back to my great-grandmother, Ngapo Uenuku.

Aspirations for the week are to help create strong bonds between our staff, players and their whānau, to all live our journey towards connection and putting on a gameday display to make our people proud!

MĀORI ALL STARS WĀHINE MANAGER
Kohine Graham

Ko Taiarahia te maunga
Ko Ohinemataroa te awa
Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Ngāti Tāwhaki me Te Mahurehure oku hapū
Ko Ngahina me Te Rewarewa oku marae
Ko Tuhoe te iwi

Last 5 years
2021-2025 ANZMRL Event Coordinator
2021-2025 Manager for various Rugby League and Touch teams
2024-2026 Aotearoa NZ Maori All Stars Wahine Toa Manager

What All Stars means to me
Being part of All Stars is a privilege - a chance to lead, to serve, and to help create an experience where our wāhine athletes can connect to culture and represent who we are. It allows us to weave tikanga into high-performance spaces, ensuring our players stand grounded in identity while striving for excellence at the top level

Aspirations for the week is to ensure our players have the best possible experience here at home, on their whenua.

The ANZMRL board acknowledges the expertise, mana, and commitment they both bring to this kaupapa. Well done, Strangey and Kohine.

Who knows! In the future we may explore including our rangatahi as part of All Stars.

JD
For the ANZMRL Board