Two strong sides have been named for the NRL All Stars clash, which will be played before the kickoff of the NRL season on Friday, February 13.
Both teams have named what look to be full strength sides, with the Indigenous side based on the voting of fans and the NRL All Stars side selected by Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.
Unsurprisingly, two of the best players in the world, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis, polled at the top for the Indigenous All Stars, and they will be joined by an array of upcoming and established players. Alex Johnson and Josh Hoffman will join Justin Hodges and Will Chambers in a stacked backline, who will be led by Thurston, Inglis and Ben Barba.
Sam Thaiday and Greg Bird form an imposing back-row for the side, who will be coached by Laurie Daley.
The NRL All Stars will be led by Beau Scott, and feature some of the form players of 2014.
Penrith fullback Matt Moylan, Rabbitohs centre Dylan Walker and Cowboys weapon Jason Taumalolo will join the likes of Paul Gallen, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Manu Vatuvei to form an imposing looking side.
It should be a great clash, and the full teams are below.
Indigenous All Stars team to play NRL All Stars
Greg Inglis – Rabbitohs
Alex Johnston – Rabbitohs
Will Chambers – Storm
Justin Hodges – Broncos
Josh Hoffman – Titans
Ben Barba – Sharks
Johnathan Thurston – Cowboys
George Rose – Dragons
Ray Thompson – Cowboys
Ryan James – Titans
Tyrone Peachey – Panthers
Sam Thaiday – Broncos
Greg Bird – Titans
Interchange:
Chris Sandow – Eels
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs – Storm
Dane Gagai – Knights
Kyle Turner – Rabbitohs
Jack Wighton – Raiders
Kierran Moseley – Titans
Brad Tighe – Titans
NRL All Stars team to play Indigenous All Stars
Matt Moylan – Panthers
Manu Vatuvei – Warriors
Jarrod Croker – Raiders
Dylan Walker – Rabbitohs
Antonio Winterstein – Cowboys
Kieran Foran – Sea Eagles
Mitchell Pearce – Roosters
James Graham – Bulldogs
Michael Ennis – Sharks
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – Roosters
Beau Scott (c) – Knights
Jason Taumololo – Cowboys
Paul Gallen – Sharks
Interchange
Jesse Bromwich – Storm
Luke Brooks – Wests Tigers
Will Hopoate – Eels
Trent Merrin – Dragons
Corey Parker – Broncos
Jeremy Smith – Knights
Dave Taylor – Titans
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Gotta keep the non-Aussie player ratio up though
Squidward
Roar Rookie
You could always vote for both though
The eye
Guest
With entertainment in mind,Ennis and JWH are more likely to incite/go off than the tiger 2,same reason Taylor got the nod I suppose..on paper the Indigenous pack is in for a steamrolling
dallas
Guest
They should of picked soward at 6
dallas
Guest
Yea aaron woods deserved a spot
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Probably big Aaron Woods. He had a great year last year, better then Waerea-Hargreaves and Graham? Maybe not. Would pick Robbie Farah over Michael Ennis but Mick had a very good year. I just don't think Wayne has ever rated the Tigers and maybe that is fair since they have traditionally struggled to beat his teams. More a comment then a criticism
Jack
Guest
they replaced this with voting for the indigenous all stars.
3 Hats
Guest
Yes they did! No Bulldogs in the Indigenous All Stars team.
The eye
Guest
Well,which Tiger would you put in..Farrahs gone all sooky..looks a great side
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Ba ha ha ha!!!!!! Wayne not a big Tigers fan is he, I recall in 05 post premiership he didn't pick a single Wests player in the national team.
Sean
Guest
Has there been an explanation why? It's a strange decision to take involvement away from the fans and give it to one person. Maybe coaches demanding one of their own in power, rather than the great unwashed with their wanting the best players playing?
Sean
Guest
Be thankful that Darius Boyd wasn't available.
Kingcowboy
Guest
The tigers are going to be a very dangerous footy team this year. Now they have the board issues sorted out, they can do something special in the near future on the field. I can see JT and Farah having issues and I hope for the Tigers sake, that management side with the coach. Farah has way too much influence at the club and I hope he doesn't have a negative impact on the kids. I have always like the club but had very negative feelings about Mr Sheens from his days in NQ, so i hope they do well!!!
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
And then I will need a new TV...
Squidward
Roar Rookie
They did! I hate that we couldnt this year. Took it away from the people. I really enjoyed selecting players I liked and snubbing the ones i think are tools
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Brooksy will get an incept on his first touch in the 75th and tear his hammy
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Love it! Only one Tiger in either team, and hopefully he won't even get on the park! Great news.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Beau Scott as captain? Uncle Wayne shows romance isn't dead!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Didn't the public used to pick the all-stars team as well? I know Bennett's the coach but is it appropriate that he solely picks the team for an event like this? Thankfully there's only one Bulldogs player that I have to hold my breath watching and hoping he doesn't get injured. A few ex-Dogs for me to cheer for though...
Cam Stokes
Roar Pro
Some really interesting match ups there. Big pressure on Ray Thompson and Ben Barba to provide some kind of support for JT, the Indigenous outside backs look great, but an edge in the forwards to the NRL. I think I would have the NRL as slight favourites at this stage.