As manager of the Queensland Under 16 Indigenous team invited to spend a week with the Indigenous and NRL All Stars, Waters said it was a fantastic experience.

"My role was to help keep the boys in check but I also learnt so much," Waters said.

"While the All Star players were generous in their time with the young players, there was also the chance for administrators like myself to come away with so much extra knowledge."

Waters said the professionalism, educational and cultural programs were well received and the young players took it all on board.

The North West connection did not end with Waters' involvement - several former Mount Isa juniors played key roles in helping the Queensland side rescue a dramatic last-gasp draw against its NSW opponents.

Former Wanderers juniors Kelvin Lui and Jordan Remfrey now based in Townsville wore the maroon jersey.

A penalty goal in the final seconds saw the Queensland team tie the match and the series with NSW in their NRL All Stars' curtain-raiser at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The NSW Kooris led 16-14 with 5 minutes to go, before David Nogar sank a 50-metre penalty goal in the final minute to lock the game at 16-all, resulting in a draw for the second successive year.