'Fastest backline ever' set to light up All Stars

Nicho Hynes believes the Indigenous All Stars have compiled "the fastest backline ever" as some of the NRL's speedsters prepare to take the field against the Maori All Stars on Friday night.

Josh Addo-Carr and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have been noted for their blistering pace at both club and representative level, while young gun Alofiana Khan-Pereira produced an insane rookie season with the Gold Coast Titans in 2023 and proved himself to be among the game's quickest players. 

On top of that, Latrell Mitchell and Kotoni Staggs - who are often noted more for their power game than breakneck speed - can certainly get the motor going in open space as fans have become accustomed to.

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Speaking on 2GB's Wide World Of Sports' radio, Hynes said the back five was the quickest he'd ever taken the field with and hopes the weather gods remain on their side.

"Honestly, I don't think I have ever played with a faster backline in my life," he said.

"I'm looking at that and going, 'Wow, this is gonna be something special'.

"Hopefully the rain stays away ... We might have to still try and play expansive so we can see the wheels of those boys out wide.

"I'm sure they will find some space at some point and then hopefully shut the gates."

Watch the NRL All Stars clash on Friday February 16 live and free on Nine and 9Now

Hynes has been a staple of the Indigenous side for a number of years and has played alongside some of the biggest stars in the game. 

When the question was posed to him to decide between 'The Fox' and 'The Hammer' for the fastest man on the team, the 2022 Dally M Medal winner gave the slight edge to his former Melbourne Storm teammate.

"Who's the fastest? If I didn't say the Foxx and he got a hold of this, he would be absolutely filthy," Hynes said jokingly.

"Just so he doesn't have a whinge, I will say the Foxx - but I think Hammer is nipping at his heels. Even that try he [Tabuai-Fidow] scored in the Australian game against Samoa last year ... How do you do that?

"It looks like he is doing it with ease and not even breaking a sweat."

The men's All Stars is scheduled to kick off at 8pm AEDT on Friday night, with a bumper crowd expected in Townsville for the men's and women's double-header.