I can not wait for this game between the Indigenous All Stars and NRL All Stars earlier next year. I’ve wanted there to be a game for the best Aboriginal players in our game for many years now, and I think the NRL has just about got it right in terms of who they will be playing against.
This is a game I think could very well end up traveling around Australia, which would be a fantastic way to promote the multicultural feel Rugby League has, more so than any other sport in the world.
The Indigenous squad has been officially announced and to say it is a brilliant lineup is understating things.
Keep in mind that these players were voted into the side by fans, so putting together an actual team out of this list will take some creative coaching, but with all the talent on show here, that wont be a problem.
The Official Indigenous All Star Team of 2010 is:
Carl Webb – North Queensland Cowboys
Cory Paterson – Newcastle Knights
Daine Laurie – Penrith Panthers
George Rose – Manly Sea Eagles
Greg Inglis – Melbourne Storm
Jamal Idris – Canterbury Bulldogs
Jamie Soward – St George Illawarra Dragons
Jharal Yow Yeh – Brisbane Broncos
Joel Thompson – Canberra Raiders
Johnathan Thurston – North Queensland Cowboys
Justin Hodges – Brisbane Broncos
Nathan Merritt – South Sydney Rabbitohs
PJ Marsh – Brisbane Broncos
Preston Campbell – Gold Coast Titans (Captain)
Sam Thaiday – Brisbane Broncos
Scott Prince – Gold Coast Titans
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs – Canberra Raiders
Travis Waddell – Canberra Raiders
Wendell Sailor – St George Illawarra Dragons
Yileen Gordon – Canterbury Bulldogs
Its a hell of a lineup and it is fantastic to see a few player in there who are great player, but who can’t quite crack it for a start in other representative sides.
The announcement of this team coincided with the announcement that this game will trial a “Double Try” rule.
Basically a team that scores a try can forgo a kick at goal and instead opt to have one play where they can score another four points. It can not be from a kick however.
I personally think that is a bit stupid and a cheap imitation of the NRL’s “Two Point Conversion”. The NFL’s option has its place, this one just seems contrived.
I also think its disappointing that it will be trialed in a game of such importance.
What ever the case, the voting has started now to select the NRL All Stars team.
