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Indigenous All Stars coach and concept creator Preston Campbell believes Wayne Bennett’s NRL All Stars will be much better prepared for the return showdown at Skilled Park next month.
“Wayne likes to win,” said Campbell, leader of the Indigenous side that upset Bennett’s galaxy of stars 16-12 in the inaugural All Stars clash last February.
Bennett will reveal his line-up, headed by captain Darren Lockyer and Kiwi superstar Benji Marshall, in Sydney on Friday, with Indigenous coach Laurie Daley and Campbell warning that their team won’t catch the NRL All Stars off guard a second time.
Some fans thought the All Star clash in the pre-season would resemble touch football but it was played with great intensity.
“I think after watching it last year the NRL All Stars know it’s a game to be treated seriously,” said Daley, who replaces Neil Henry as coach.
“The Indigenous All Stars approached it in a fantastic way and we’re hoping to do the same thing this time around.
“But they (NRL All Stars) won’t be surprised this time around and their intensity levels will grow and I’m expecting it to be even tougher.”
Campbell, who’ll have to overcome an ankle injury to play this time, agreed.
“I think they (NRL All Stars) were a little bit surprised last year, we didn’t need much motivation and we won’t again this year,” said the veteran Titan.
“I think they’ll know what to expect and we know they’re going to come out ready for us.”
Daley said the immediate impact the All Star game had on people last year meant it would be around for years to come.
“After the game there were people crying in the stands and people very excited to be part of it,” he said.
“If it was a three game series I’m sure the stadium would have been filled again.
“I can see it becoming part of the fabric of rugby league for many years to come.”
Daley however stopped short of saying the All Star game had matched the emotion and passion of State of Origin when it was first played in 1980.
While glamour South Sydney recruit Greg Inglis was named in the Indigenous the former Melbourne star, recovering from shoulder and hip surgery, is effectively no chance of playing.
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