Te Maire Martin Injured as Māori All Stars Draw 16-16 with Indigenous All Stars

The Māori All Stars and Indigenous All Stars played to a dramatic 16-16 draw on March 3, 2024, at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton. The match featured an intense back-and-forth battle, but the outcome was overshadowed by an injury to Māori playmaker Te Maire Martin, who limped off the field early in the game.

Martin sustained a right ankle injury following a collision with teammate Briton Nikora just five minutes into the second quarter. Coach Andrew Webster must have felt a wave of concern as this injury adds to the Warriors’ growing list of potential halfback issues. Martin’s departure came shortly after the team had emerged injury-free from a trial loss against Manly in Napier.

The Māori All Stars initially took the lead with a try from Jacob Laban in the fourth minute, following impressive teamwork from Warriors club-mates James Fisher-Harris and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. The play was quickly countered by the Indigenous All Stars, with Blake Steep scoring a try just moments later, showcasing the competitive spirit of both teams.

The first quarter ended with the Indigenous All Stars leading 12-6 after Connor Watson and Josh Addo-Carr added to their tally. Despite the setback of losing Martin, the Māori team managed to keep the pressure on their opponents. They narrowed the score to 12-10 at halftime when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored after a well-placed grubber kick from Nikora.

The second half saw Addo-Carr score for the Indigenous team, extending their lead before the Māori leveled the game at 16-16 with a try from Trent Toelau. The momentum shifted frequently, with both teams creating opportunities that kept the packed crowd of 18,169 on the edge of their seats.

As the game neared its conclusion, several close calls raised the tension. A potential match-winning try by Jayden Campbell was disallowed due to a knock-on after a kick chase, while Tallis Duncan also lost possession over the line. The final moments saw the Māori attempt a field goal, but the effort was blocked, allowing the match to end in a stalemate.

This draw marks the second time in the eight encounters between the Māori and Indigenous All Stars that the teams could not be separated on the scoreboard. With both teams showing heart and skill, the match highlighted the depth of talent in the league and set the stage for an exciting NRL season ahead.

The injury to Martin, who has served as a valuable utility player, raises questions about the Warriors’ options at halfback. With Luke Metcalf already out for the first few months due to an ACL injury and Chanel Harris-Tavita sidelined with a calf issue, the team faces challenges as they prepare for the upcoming season.