The 2011 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout champions will play a lead-up match to the NRL All Stars fixture on the Gold Coast on Friday night.

The occasion will be big enough, playing before the likes of Jonathon Thurston, Benji Marshall and Greg Inglis in front of a national audience at the Burleigh Bears home ground.

But the Warriors match itself will have a state-of-origin like feel to it with a national title on the line.

The Warriors will take on Queensland counterparts the Southern Dingoes in the inaugural Interstate Challenge with the winner crowned Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander champions.

“There is plenty to play for,” Warriors coach Ron Griffiths said.

“We are playing to become the best Aboriginal team in Australia, which is massive.”

Griffiths said this was the first match of this size and he believes the concept would kick on into the future.

“There have been similar games but not too this magnitude,” he said.

“It is sanctioned by the NRL, it is part of the All Stars game and I think it has a life for years to come.”

Griffiths said the match, part of the 2012 Indigenous All Stars Rugby League Festival, would be a great opportunity for the Warriors.

The All Star jersey presentation will be conducted before the Interstate Challenge.

“They will have the chance to play in front of all those [All Star] guys,” Griffiths said.

“It will be an exciting time for them.”

The Maitland Pickers will be well represented in the Warriors line-up with Dan Randall, Josh Griffiths, Joby Patten, Darcy Etrich, Tyrone Smith and Tom McKenzie all joining coach Griffiths.

Kurri Kurri Bulldogs pair Shannon Tanner and Mick Campton will also team up for the Warriors along with Alfred Whaleboat (Cessnock Goannas) and skipper Mick Young (Central Charlestown).

The Warriors have been nominated for team of the year at the 2011 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year awards.

The Warriors fixture will be played 24 hours before the NRL All Stars match, which is

scheduled for Skilled Park on Saturday night.