Nicho Hynes, James Fisher-Harris, Jaime Chapman and Payton Takimoana are among the gun players set to turn out for the NRL All Stars extravaganza on February 15.

Among the high-profile players set to miss are Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown.

The NRL announced on Thursday the four squads for the showpiece event, which will see men’s and women’s sides representing the Indigenous All Stars and Māori All Stars face off in Hamilton, New Zealand.

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Mitchell was ruled unavailable due to a calf issue, while South Sydney teammate Walker made the “heartbreaking” decision to not play to avoid risking injury ahead of round one, he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Ponga is still recovering from a foot injury suffered in round 17 of last season, while Newcastle teammate Brown, the $13 million recruit, is prioritising pre-season football with his new club over the All Stars game.

Tabuai-Fidow, meanwhile, is nursing a shoulder complaint, according to a Dolphins official.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: during the NRL All-Stars match between Men's Australia Indigenous All Stars and Aotearoa NZ Men's Maori Tane at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on February 16, 2024 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Nicho Hynes in action for the Indigenous All Stars in 2024. Getty

While the All Stars event is widely considered a brilliant and important concept, there’s conjecture over when it should be played.

This year’s event will clash with round two of the pre-season challenge.

On the same day that the All Stars matches are played, the Sharks and Eels will go head-to-head at Henson Park in Sydney.

Then comes the 27-round premiership season, beginning with games in Las Vegas on the first weekend of March, followed by the Rugby League World Cup.

In the middle of the bulging rugby league calendar is State of Origin.

Hynes disagrees with the scheduling of the All Stars event.

“I feel like it should be the first game your eyes are on; all the fans should be watching that game,” Hynes said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

“I feel like we’ve got it wrong this year by playing it on a Sunday arvo on February 15, which is the second week of the trials. It should be the Friday night before anyone else kicks off. That’s what it used to be back in the day.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 20: Cody Walker of the Indigenous All Stars leads his team out onto the field during the NRL All Stars game between the Indigenous and the Maori Men's at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on February 20, 2021 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Cody Walker representing the Indigenous All Stars in 2021. Getty

“One of the most exciting spectacles in our sport is watching the Māori do their Haka, or us do our dance beforehand, and that’s women and men. A lot of eyeballs are on it.

“I feel like it should be the only thing you see; the first kick-off should be that [game] every single year.

“I remember being a kid, that first Friday night of the [rugby league] year, sitting with my legs crossed in front of the TV absolutely loving watching Johnathan Thurston, Wendell Sailor, Greg Inglis, Sam Thaiday, Preston Campbell — all the greats in the game.

“All I ever wanted to do was play in that game. I get to do it, [but] I reckon we need to do a better job at [scheduling it].”

SQUADS

Indigenous All Stars (men)

Josh Addo-Carr, Jayden Campbell, Tallis Duncan, Jamal Fogarty, Trai Fuller, Nicho Hynes, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Josh Kerr, Kaiden Lahrs, Shaquai Mitchell, Oliver Pascoe, Joshua Patston, Hohepa Puru, Jesse Ramien, Ethan Roberts, Blake Steep, Braydon Trindall, Connor Watson, Jack Wighton, Brent Woolf. Coach: Ronald Griffiths

Māori All Stars (men)

Jesse Arthars, Joe Chan, Zach Dockar-Clay, JoJo Fifita, James Fisher-Harris, Mawene Hiroti, Royce Hunt, Keano Kini, Jacob Laban, Casey McLean, Te Maire Martin, Trey Mooney, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Adam Pompey, Leo Thompson, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Coach: Adam Blair

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Jaime Chapman of the Indigenous Womens All Stars is tackled during the Women's NRL All Stars match between Indigenous and Maori at CommBank Stadium on February 15, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Jaime Chapman takes a carry for the Indigenous All Stars in 2025. Getty

Indigenous All Stars (women)

Essay Banu, Shaylee Bent, Krystal Blackwell, Rhiannon Byers, Jaime Chapman, Bree Chester, Kirra Dibb, Quincy Dodd, Taliah Fuimaono, Tallisha Harden, Caitlan Johnston-Green, Keilee Joseph, Grace Kemp, Ella Koster, Lailani Montgomery, Mahalia Murphy, Jasmine Peters, Phoenix-Raine Hippi, Jada Taylor, Caitlin Turnbull. Coach: Jess Skinner

Māori All Stars (women)

Shakira Baker, Corban Baxter, Gayle Broughton, Harata Butler, Rima Butler, Kennedy Cherrington, Rueben Cherrington, Laikha Clarke, Zali Fay, Fane Finau, Matekino Gray, Mya Hill-Moana, Raecene McGregor, Shanice Parker, Jasmin Strange, Payton Takimoana, Chante Temara, Zahara Temara, Tenika Willison. Coach: John Strange