The Indigenous All Stars face the Maori at CommBank Stadium on Saturday and there has been increased discussion in NRL circles about when the game should take place given the number of players making themselves unavailable.
The NRL's Las Vegas foray and an increased focus on an end-of-season international Test window has added extra congestion to the rugby league calendar.
The Indigenous side has been a staple of the NRL calendar for over a decade.
And to ensure that progress is not lost, Widders says an Indigenous side could play touring nations in warm-up matches.
Widders was part of an Aborigines side coached by Arthur Beetson and included Cliffy Lyons in 1999 that faced Papua New Guinea in two Tests.
"The All Stars games have been a tremendous platform and we've now got to fight to get more opportunities," Widders told AAP.
"Back in those days we played with whoever was around.
"But I feel when you look at the talented players we (the Indigenous community) have got that sat out of the Pacific Championships and weren't in teams, we need to see them on the world stage.
"I believe that we should be pushing to progress and play more games."
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said an Indigenous side playing end-of-season matches had potential.
But he was keen to note there would be a juggling act to navigate for players selected in Test squads and the Indigenous team.
"There's definitely an opportunity to explore if there's an incoming tour into this country, an opportunity for us to create additional fixtures," Abdo told AAP.
"That would all need to be carefully considered.
"Ultimately, though, representing your country is the highest honour and we need to ensure we don't create a situation where it was impacting on Indigenous players in terms of representing the Kangaroos for example.
"It's a delicate balance and while it's not a proposition for 2025 it's definitely a conversation for 2026."
Roosters utility Connor Watson, who will start Saturday's match at hooker for the Indigenous side, said: "This (All Stars) fixture is so important for Indigenous people and Maori people because they're communities which have contributed so much to rugby league and the NRL.
"Whether it's the pre-season or post-season, that's not a decision for me to make but I love playing this game and whatever the best time is that's up to the guys who get paid the big bucks."
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