Indigenous All Stars captain Josh Addo-Carr said it will be a "special moment" to lead out the team after a proud and emotional week connecting with culture.
The 'Fox' has been praised by coach Laurie Daley for leadership qualities demonstrated throughout the camp. Daley said Addo-Carr created a "wonderful atmosphere" and helped younger players with his extensive knowledge about his culture.
The 26-year-old said he hadn't changed approach after he was given the nod as skipper and was just "being myself".
"It's just about teaching these young fullas to be proud of who they are and where they come from," he said.
"It's been a very special week, some tears and that."
The pandemic has meant fewer community visits from the players and more of a focus placed on cultural sessions. Elders and leaders within the First Nations community have been in camp all week teaching the players valuable knowledge about our people. Despite being unavailable for the match, Rabbitohs stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker also attended the camp to support the group.
Players have been seen on social media performing dances in a strong display of pride as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and fans can expect something novel when the war cry is performed ahead of the clash with New Zealand Maori this evening.
"We've got something special coming up, it will be good," said Addo-Carr.
"Doing the war cry, just so much emotion goes into it and two proud cultures representing, it's a very special moment."
Coach Daley, who has been at the helm since 2011, said it was the best camp he has been a part of.
"It's just a sense of belonging when we all get together," he said.
"They're very proud of who they are, they feel comfortable in this space and I think that they will go back being better players and better men."
All Stars finally align for Tamika Upton
Tamika Upton declined an unexpected offer to play for the Indigenous All Stars in 2020 because of a pre-booked holiday to Bali before injury sidelined her last year.
But the leading fullback will finally represent her culture against the Maori All Stars at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night, much to the delight of coach Ben Jeffries.
A two-time NRLW premiership winner with Brisbane and a Queensland State of Origin linchpin, the 24-year-old's debutant status belies her experience and class.
"Nothing seems to faze Meeks and she's a big-game player, you could say," Jeffries said.
Upton's battle with rival No.1 Botille Vette-Welsh will be crucial as the Indigenous team attempt to avenge last year's 24-0 loss to the Maori Ferns, who lead the head-to-head score 2-1.
"I look across at the side that Benny's got - there's quality right across the paddock and they're very well coached, so we're expecting a really intense struggle," Maori Ferns coach Keith Hanley said.
Brisbane and Queensland fullback Tamika Upton will make her All Stars debut after two false starts. Source: AAP
"We've got our work cut out for us."
The Maori Ferns have selected an extremely well-credentialed debutant of their own in 38-year-old Lavinia Gould, the premiership-winning Broncos hooker who played rugby union for New Zealand.
"For all our girls it carries a fair bit of depth in terms of meaning, but for Lavinia, given she's pretty much ticked every other box in the game, (it was) a very, very moving experience for her," Hanley said.
The All Stars will kick off a bumper year of women's rugby league featuring two NRLW campaigns, the first of which begins on February 27.
"Twelve months of rugby league for us is a big change, but women can do anything. I think adapting to it will be really good," co-captain Caitlan Johnston said.
