Can the All-Stars game become more than a gimmick?
Roar Rookie By Pete_Lock, 17 Jan 2013 Pete_Lock is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- NRL, NRL All Stars, Preston Campbell, Rugby League
Today saw the announcement of the NRL and Indigenous All-Star teams for the annual All-Star clash, this year to be held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
The All-Stars concept was created from the mind of proud Indigenous player and former Dally M winner Preston Campbell, and nobody could doubt what he is trying to achieve.
A game that gives Indigenous rugby players the opportunity to play for their people and promote pride within the community in itself is a fantastic concept. However, more could be done to make this a serious fixture.
The All-Stars game has so much potential to be something truly special, but with the way it is currently run, is it anything more than a pre-season exhibition match?
If the NRL are happy to keep the All-Stars match as is then there is no need to change anything.
However, if this is to turn into a serious representative fixture that players strive to play in, and want to win, then a few changes must be made.
Pick the best vs the best
The All-Stars concept is based on the idea of the best Indigenous players in the NRL coming up against the best non-Indigenous players. On paper this sounds great, however the fact that the NRL All-Stars team requires only one player from each club means that the ‘best’ factor is lost.
Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater are undoubtedly the best players in their positions in the world, but the fact that they can’t be selected in the same starting line up of a supposed rep team makes the All-Stars a bit of a gimmick already.
The best players available to represent each team must be picked, regardless of which club they play for.
This also means that fans picking the team would also have to go. Each team’s coach and his assistants should be in charge of picking the best players to play for their teams if this is to become a true representative fixture.
Having the fans pick a side is a great idea to help promote a match, but rep teams should be picked on playing ability rather than popularity, otherwise Nathan Hindmarsh would be getting picked 4 years into his retirement.
Scrap the trial rules
I am all for trying to improve rugby league with new rules that will make the game faster and more of a spectacle, but trialing rules should be left to trial games, not important representative fixtures.
Having rules such as the power play be trialed as a one off turns the All-Stars match into an exhibition, when it could be so much more.
Personally I think the All-Stars game is a brilliant concept, but a few tweaks could see the worth of these jerseys for the players move towards that of an Origin or Test cap.
Passion for the jersey is what the fans want to see, which surely will bring us an entertaining, must-see game of rugby league.
No doubt the Indigenous All-Stars would feel this pride and passion, but if we truly had the best NRL All-Stars team out there, they might feel the same.
Passionate about your league? Then sign up to The Roar's brand new daily league email, delivering Roaring articles directly to you day-in, day-out. You'll love it!
Click here to join now!
Looking to join The Roar team? We're searching for an experienced Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. Yes, this does mean you get to work with the site all day long! If you're a digital media sales star, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
- Explore:
- NRL, NRL All Stars, Preston Campbell, Rugby League
January 17th 2013 @ 7:54am
oikee said | January 17th 2013 @ 7:54am | Report comment
“The All-Stars game has so much potential to be something truly special, but with the way it is currently run, is it anything more than a pre-season exhibition match” ?
That is exactly what it is, and for the game to become serious, you could not play this game at the start of the season, most players have not even had a trail game.
This game and the 2 million raised is all about the indigenous players and their pride and traditions in our code. That is enough to get excited about.
If it became to serious it would lose it’s way. This game can and probably will be taken around Australia, i can see this game going to Perth, Adelaide, even Darwin if it does not get to hot, maybe not Darwin, maybe if they played at night with the sprinklers going. ?
January 17th 2013 @ 5:45pm
JezRu said | January 17th 2013 @ 5:45pm | Report comment
Agree oikee on sending the match around the nation. This is a great showcase of Rugby league and the work it does in Aboriginal communities. I think as “All-Stars” you would definitely attract crowds wherever they play for the simple fact of seeing some of the best talent in the game on show.
I would also like to see the game gain a more international flavour with a couple of ESL players perhaps being included??
January 17th 2013 @ 8:06am
Sailosi said | January 17th 2013 @ 8:06am | Report comment
It’s very hard when one team is selected purely along racial lines. Rightly or wrongly it’s a situation that can sometimes create confusion. At a time when integration is being taught and encouraged, segregation is being welcomed. The South Africa rugby union won’t allow the NZ Maori to play in SA and there were even rumors that some people at the RFU weren’t to keen on a team selected on race touring the UK last year.
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
January 17th 2013 @ 9:06am
peeeko said | January 17th 2013 @ 9:06am | Report comment
a lot will depend on the quality of indigenous players available at the time. there is a good chance that there will be a time when there are only a few good players of aboriginal descent and the game may not be that competitive. this obviously is not a problem at the moment with the large amount of top-line aboriginal NRL players
January 17th 2013 @ 9:35am
The High Shot said | January 17th 2013 @ 9:35am | Report comment
“No doubt the Indigenous All-Stars would feel this pride and passion, but if we truly had the best NRL All-Stars team out there, they might feel the same.”
No player takes the field without caring about the result or their own performance. I think there’s plenty of passion in that sense.
January 17th 2013 @ 10:36am
Will Sinclair said | January 17th 2013 @ 10:36am | Report comment
I am not a fan of the All Stars concept.
If either Benji Marshall or Robbie Farah get injured playing in this Mickey Mouse game, I hope the Tigers sue the NRL for all their worth.
It’s a joke.
January 17th 2013 @ 10:46am
george said | January 17th 2013 @ 10:46am | Report comment
great concept played with tremendous spirit.a great way to celebrate the influence of our indigenous players past and current..something unique in our code.lets just leave it as is .Great way to start the season
January 17th 2013 @ 11:19am
Hobbsy said | January 17th 2013 @ 11:19am | Report comment
I love watching the game. There was some comments last year about selecting a player from another code to have a go……what are peoples thoughts on that concept? I hope the game stays, it is a great way to start the season for sure. I just wish the season would start earlier, but then I am not a player!!
January 17th 2013 @ 11:33am
Roarsome said | January 17th 2013 @ 11:33am | Report comment
The fact that we separate teams based on race is appalling.
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
January 17th 2013 @ 11:45am
oikee said | January 17th 2013 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Grow up, it is no more appalling than a Tongan team or samoan team.
I will tell what is appalling, the fact that you can barrack for England against Ireland and Scotland and Wales, then group the lot together and call them the lions and have all these countries then barrack for this team. ??? What the. ??
Be like pitting NZ Africa and Australia together and tell the public this is your new team,
It is nothing but purew jealousy to even think this way, this was put together by Australia’s Indigenous culture themselvwes, it needs to be applauded if anything. It is a charity game, get off it.
There are many things need scrapping in this world, the All-stars game is not one of them.
Rugby league has never had a racial overtune, unlike other codes and i am not talking AFL.
January 17th 2013 @ 11:50am
oikee said | January 17th 2013 @ 11:50am | Report comment
I cant even be bothered fixing the spelling mistakes that post i am that disgusted by some peoples attitudes.
The money raised by this game goes back into indigenous programs, is this so hard for you to take in, i can see why Australia’s schooling system is lagging the world.
January 17th 2013 @ 5:17pm
Roarsome said | January 17th 2013 @ 5:17pm | Report comment
oikee,
The Tongan and Samoan teams are represent specific countries so, no they are clearly not the same. Regarding the Lions, your example of Africa, NZ and AUS is again not the same though SANZAR do name a best Super Rugby team as an honour at the end of the season. The situation with the Lions selection could be more linked to the West Indies cricket team where players of different cultures from the same area come together to represent a geographic region. My problem with the All Stars concept based on race is that it pitches one race against the rest, going against the founding concept of inclusivity and diversity. The “black pride” signs in the crowd would indicate this. I understand and support the positive financial outcomes for the various Indigenous communities and the benefits for fringe rep players who may get a run though at the end of the day it’s the Indigenous Australians versus the rest, hardly inclusive. This is why the All Stars game can’t be “anything more than a gimmick” as a game of Rugby League.
January 19th 2013 @ 11:43am
oikee said | January 19th 2013 @ 11:43am | Report comment
The black pride is from a indigenous race that lived in this country for 20 thousand years.
Next you will be wanting to disperce the Eskimoes.
January 19th 2013 @ 1:10pm
Roarsome said | January 19th 2013 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
I think you mean the Inuits. The Close the Gap (and similar) rounds do more good for the Indigenous people of this land than the All Stars game as it involves more players and fans and raises more money for the relative causes. Also, If you look at the players that “make themselves unavailable” for the All Stars game you’ll see how much respect they show the jersey and the game. You wouldn’t get this for a regular season, Origin or Kangaroo Tour or World Cup. The All Stars game is a nice gesture and a sign of respect however, that is all. As a game, it’s another preseason trial. Did you read the article?
January 19th 2013 @ 4:15pm
oikee said | January 19th 2013 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
What are you on about, if your injured your injured, you a doctor now as well are you.
Mate you quickly lose credibilty on these blogs if you talk nonsense.
The NRL top players are in this game, ? you going to dispute that fact as well. ?
January 20th 2013 @ 4:19pm
oikee said | January 20th 2013 @ 4:19pm | Report comment
NZ Māori Rugby League (NZMRL) has a proud history on the international stage for over one hundred years starting with the 1908 and 1909 touring native sides that toured New South Wales and Queensland. These visits were a catalyst for establishing the sport of Rugby League in Australia. Over the last 100 years the NZ Māori team matches were regular fixture as major touring sides from Great Britain, France and Australia touring sides visited New Zealand.
Our history shows a commitment to travelling on overseas tours from our very beginning with the trips to Australia. We have had long tours to Australia 1956, to England 1983 and to France in 2004. Our teams have travelled to the Pacific Cup competitions through the 80s and 90s. Our World Cup appearance in 2000 was a first for an Indigenous team playing and representing their people in a Rugby League World Cup.
In 2008 the NZ Māori team played two matches one against the Kiwi All Gold’s which served to assist the Kiwis in their World Cup winning preparations .The other match in 2008 was against the Australian Indigenous side in the curtain raiser to the World Cup opener Australia versus the Kiwis. This match was the first fully ARL sanctioned match for the Indigenous team and has lead to them playing the NRL All Stars in 2010. They have now established themselves within the framework of the Australian RL sporting
The Maori are indigenous to NZ. They also have a book out called ’100 years of Maori rugby league’, 1908-2008.’
January 19th 2013 @ 12:23pm
Crosscoder said | January 19th 2013 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
Well that is not quite true.The NRL All stars team is a mixture of the best in the NRL be they Maori,Tongan,Fijian,Caucasian /M/E,Samoan descent.Picked by fans on ability.
The Indigenous All Stars don’t consider it a gimmick,but recognition of their culture ,that existed well before Captain Phillip,Cook,Dampier, even touched base in this country.
It is a once a year thing.
If the profits all went into the NRL coffers,that could be argued,however when funds are achieved for many Aboriginal people who are far less fortunate than us,it is a worthwhile cause.
if it good enough for Federal Govts to set aside monies for Indigenous people and has a seperate dept,then I see no reason why a football match, that designates money to similar causes should be considered a gimmick.
I can’t appreciate the fact,they were downtrodden for so long,so anything in some small way to assist,in my view is to be commended.
Rugby league for as long as I have been on this planet,is one of the most inclusive of all sports,Sattler Longbottom,Corowa the list is endless.the game can also be a thankyou for what they did for the game,many years ago,before this concept was introduced.
It was initiated by a player Preston Campbell years ago,that guy is one of the most inclusive people one could meet in teh code,and indeed one of the most popular.Ask Shark;s fans.
If another code had a similar scheme,they would be as proud as punch.
January 19th 2013 @ 12:30pm
Crosscoder said | January 19th 2013 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
Two teams based on race.Wrong.
The NRL All Stars team include Uate,Mason,Reynolds(Indigenous) Tamou,Marshall,Mateo,Hayne.
Some of you ru people need to check the facts before going into a lather.
January 19th 2013 @ 1:17pm
Roarsome said | January 19th 2013 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
And “some of ru people” need to read things before they make comment. I said the game is one race of people verse everyone else. The article is talking about the game as a good idea though nothing more than a trial because of it’s current structure. With the timing of the game and the gimmicky selection criteria. The All Star game can’t be a serious rep game. I am agreeing with the article, maybe you’d like to read it.
January 19th 2013 @ 4:09pm
Crosscoder said | January 19th 2013 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
You stated and I quote”two seperate teams based on race is appalling”, on 17th jan @11.33am’.That is what drew my response.
Am I missing something?
There are not two seperate teams based on race.Race was not the criteria(nor must it ever be) set for fans to choose the NRL All Stars.
Correct me ,if I am wrong.
January 19th 2013 @ 4:23pm
oikee said | January 19th 2013 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
Maybe you need to go back to the union blog and ask this question, how can a welsh supporter go on to cheer for a english player in the lions team. ????????
Hey, league fans, if you cheer for the Kangaroos, would you be willing to change your spots and cheer for the Kiwis. ?
The lions will never come back in rugby league. This series was used to bring Great Britian up to speed in rugby league.
Union seem to be useing this as a cashcow, why are we not surprised.
I have more pride in my country, union dont seem to care.
January 19th 2013 @ 4:29pm
Greg said | January 19th 2013 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
Your a joke. Great Britain is a sovereign state of the united kingdom, represented by the British ( and Irish) lions. They have been touring since 1888, it’s not a cash cow. Britain competes as one in the Olympics, is that for cash as well?
If league had a similar tradition which was as huge, you would love it. Don’t hate because its a union tradition.
January 19th 2013 @ 4:35pm
oikee said | January 19th 2013 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
So let me get this right, your great Britain in the Olympics, but your seperate teams in the world cup, ? or are you going back to Great Britain in the World cup,. ?
cant have it both ways .
Again, i say, how can a welshmen with his so-called pride barrack for the english, a scotsman, you given up on pride, i ask the question.
The rugby league Lions also toured, we gave it away.
January 19th 2013 @ 4:44pm
Greg said | January 19th 2013 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
Because it wasn’t as treasured as the lions union tours, I’m guessing… Maybe you should take this up with the queen.. Funny thing is, if it were league that had a huge lions tour coming up, which will sell out huge stadiums (even with 300 dollar plus ticket prices), we wouldn’t be arguing the relevance, now would we…
January 19th 2013 @ 4:48pm
oikee said | January 19th 2013 @ 4:48pm | Report comment
Seems like Greg has quickly gone away to look up the rugby league lions.
The Kangaroos played the Brittish Lions at Wembley 1994 i think dont quote me, and meninga scored the winning try in the second match.
The Kangaroos went on to win the series.
We let go of the Brittish game so each indvidual country could strive on their own.
Union seems to have not realised, that Ireland, Wales Scotland and England have a fierce rivalry. everyone in the world knows this, apparently not Union.
January 19th 2013 @ 4:54pm
oikee said | January 19th 2013 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
Typical union supporter, its all about money, not passion,.
Rugby league Origin will blow this fluff lions tour out of the water, as will any AFL game played.
You mention money nearly every second post.
Rugby league has passion in this country. It was built on passion.
January 19th 2013 @ 5:01pm
Greg said | January 19th 2013 @ 5:01pm | Report comment
Haha whatever oikee, google lions tour and watch the crowds in the packed out stadiums and tell me that’s not passion.. Watch the last tour of south Africa, the place was like a powderkeg ready to explode. I don’t need to google the league lions oikee, I remember offiah playing for them and it was good to watch. I never attacked their existence did I? No. You did.
And union knows of the rivaly, heard of six nations?
January 19th 2013 @ 5:08pm
oikee said | January 19th 2013 @ 5:08pm | Report comment
The Hyde and Jekyll of Union, play a six Nations, then get 4 countries together to play a Lions tour.
I am not interested in this fluff tour, and if the English, Welsh, Irish and Scots have not woken up yet that they are barracking for their enemies, that is not my problem.
Thick is thick.
Origin is watched by 12 million a series in Australia, with a growing international audience and a growing reputation as worlds best rivalry.
The Lions are a fluff team. Imagine south Africa, NZ and Australia touring the world,,,as one team bunched together and we call them the mellons, might as well.. ????
January 19th 2013 @ 5:15pm
Greg said | January 19th 2013 @ 5:15pm | Report comment
Debating with you is like debating with a small child. Il now join the rest of all roar followers and treat your posts as nothing but a joke.
January 19th 2013 @ 5:25pm
Matt_S said | January 19th 2013 @ 5:25pm | Report comment
I’d prefer the innocence of a child rather than the lies of an adult
January 19th 2013 @ 5:28pm
oikee said | January 19th 2013 @ 5:28pm | Report comment
Greg, i wear my heart on my sleeve mate, and i dont disguise it, as my fellow league colleague’s know.
A lemon is a lemon. My wife is a pom, i disgussed this very issue with her. She loves the lions but she said yes, i dont want to ever back a Welshman.
Colleague’s. ::::- From the Greek word ‘Col’lin, a fine Greek name and the word League, from the dictionary meaning of Men, a group of like minded citizens and the modern term a League of Nations.
Sums up league.
January 24th 2013 @ 11:45am
Josh said | January 24th 2013 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Oikee – you idiot – you mention that Bristish and Irish Lions is a joke as people follow players they at other times barrack against then talk about how good SOO is (and it is) where we hate QLD or NSW player but then go onto to cheer them in the test side. The only minor difference is that due to thier hisotry the teams also play seperatly in international rugby union
January 17th 2013 @ 11:39am
Robert said | January 17th 2013 @ 11:39am | Report comment
The answer to whether the game is a gimmick or not is WILLIE MASON!Say no more
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
January 17th 2013 @ 11:49am
Brandon said | January 17th 2013 @ 11:49am | Report comment
@ Roarsome- You must have a very negative attitude if you think that’s all this game is. It means a whole lot more then races, it gives the players who don’t get to play representative footy all the time a shot, further increasing their skills and taking them to another level as a player, the community work done within the week building up to the game is fantastic and gives us (the fans) a chance to meet and greet, mingle and whatever else, the proceeds made from the event go straight back to indigenous communities who lack education, health etc from the rest of us, this is the only event in Australia where indigenous team from a professional sport can showcase their skills NATIONALLY and must I remind you that this game has attracted crowds above 25,000 for the last 3 years and it will be no different this year when they get around 40,000.
@ Will Sinclair- I can see where your coming from. Maybe the game should be played at the end of the season so if a player is injured they have the whole offseason to recover?