The date for Latrell Mitchell’s return to the spotlight has been set after the South Sydney fullback was included in the Indigenous side for the return of the NRL’s All Stars to Townsville.

The inclusion of Mitchell – arguably the game’s biggest name – is significant after a 2023 campaign dominated by his fitness and the Rabbitohs’ failure to make the top eight.

Strong squads were confirmed on Thursday for the clash with a Maori set-up powered by Joseph Tapine, Brandon Smith and Jahrome Hughes to battle Mitchell’s Indigenous side next Friday.

Brisbane star half Ezra Mam (groin) won’t feature, while his Broncos teammate Selwyn Cobbo is one of the few notable absentees.

Tweet from @NRL

Their absences are offset by the inclusions of Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Cronulla playmaker Nicho Hynes and Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr.

In the women’s All Stars, Tamika Upton, Taliah Fuimaono and Tallisha Harden are the big-name Indigenous selections to take on a Maori contingent headlined by Kennedy Cherrington, Corban Baxter and Raecene McGregor.

New Zealand hosted last year’s All Stars games, with Townsville last holding the event in 2021.

Men’s squads

Indigenous All Stars: Josh Addo-Carr, Jacob Alick, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Bailey Butler, Josh Curran, Adam Elliott, Jordan Grant, J’maine Hopgood, Nicho Hynes, Josh Kerr, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Latrell Mitchell, Shaquai Mitchell, Kierran Moseley, Hohepa Puru, Kotoni Staggs, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Isaiah Tass, Braydon Trindall, Cody Walker. Coach: Ronald Griffiths.

Tweet from @NRL

Maori All Stars: Jesse Arthars, Kenny Bromwich, Dane Gagai, Jacob Gagai, Jack Howarth, Jahrome Hughes, Royce Hunt, Te Maire Martin, Trey Mooney, Briton Nikora, Kodi Nikorima, Adam Pompey, Joseph Tapine, Jazz Tevaga, Leo Thompson, Matthew Timoko, Brandon Smith, Dylan Walker, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Xavier Willison. Coach: Adam Blair.

Women’s squads

Indigenous All Stars: Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Kirra Dibb, Quincy Dodd, Monique Donovan, Taliah Fuimaono, Tallisha Harden, Kimberley Hunt, Keilee Joseph, Grace Kemp, Olivia Kernick, Bobbi Law, Mahalia Murphy, Jasmine Peters, Tommaya Kelly-Sines, Taneka Todhunter, Tamika Upton, Janelle Williams. Coach: Jess Skinner.

Tweet from @NRLWomens

Maori All Stars: Brooke Anderson, Corban Baxter, Annessa Biddle, Destiny Brill, Kennedy Cherrington, Zali Fay, Mya Hill-Moana, Shannon Mato, Kerehitina Matua, Raecene McGregor, Shanice Parker, Rima Pirini Butler, Ashleigh Quinlan, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, Jasmin Strange, Chante Temara, Zahara Temara, Botille Vette-Welsh. Coach: Keith Hanley.

-AAP