- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
As I have read the millions of suggestions for the rescheduling of State of Origin, one has stood out above the pack.
Having a three-week mid season break, with State of Origin played on those three weekends is the standout solution.
It ensures the competition and the players do not suffer through an Origin period, and allows the continued momentum of rugby league as a sport. Another idea I have seen popping up, is for another series to be added to this weekend, to further enhance the importance of the break and bring even more attention to the game.
A New Zealand national team taking on a Polynesian All Stars team in a three-match series would be a great exhibition of rugby league and a perfect event to coincide with State of Origin.
Polynesian players now comprise more than 35 per cent of the National Rugby League and Holden Cup and are some of the best in our game.
The Indigenous All Stars have been given an opportunity to play as a team and represent their culture, so why not players with Polynesian heritage. I have put together two possible teams that would face each other.
As this is a hypothetical situation, I have discounted injuries.
Polynesian All-Stars
1. Glen Fishiashi
2. Semi Radradra
3. Tim Lafai
4. Konrad Hurrel
5. Jorge Taufua
6. Anthony Milford
7. Isaac John
8. Brent Kite
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Ashton Sims
11. Sika Manu
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jason Bakuya
14. Fui Fui Moi Moi
15. Reni Maitua
16. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Siliva Havilli
New Zealand
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Manu Vatuvei
3. Steve Matai
4. Dean Whare
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Kieran Foran
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Isaac Luke
10. Jared Warea-Hargreaves
11. Ben Matulino
12. Frank Pritchard
13. Simon Mannering
14. Sam Kasiano
15. Alex Glenn
16. Sam Moa
17. Greg Eastwood
These two teams would deliver an outstanding battle of high calibre rugby league. Though there is an obvious on paper advantage to the New Zealand side, especially in the spine, the Polynesian team would no doubt play with a great passion and pride, bringing a lot of excitement to the contest.
The clash would allow the inclusion of those players left out of Origin due to heritage and would provide a series for the large Polynesian and New Zealand market to back.
As for the venues, Eden Park would possibly get a capacity crowd for the first game. The National Stadium in the biggest Pacific Island of Fiji would almost definitely fill the 30,000-seat capacity and the final game would be played in a neutral location, Parramatta Stadium.
The strong Kiwi and Polynesian population in Sydney would turn out in droves for the event, and Parramatta Stadium would provide an excellent atmosphere for the decider.
There is no doubt in my mind that a New Zealand versus Polynesian All Stars series would be a huge success and perfectly compliment the State of Origin series in a three-week break.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.