Indigenous and World teams named for NRL All Stars match

i have zero interest in this game but it seems to be of benefit to the indigenous community. the all stars dont really care and will get pumped again

The public should be picking the World Team as well, not just the Indigenous Team. That's the way it was back in the day when the concept first began. Uncle Wayne will complain about that, so let him walk away from the coaching gig. I reckon the reigning premiership coach (technically the #1 coach) should be asked to coach the World Team anyway to freshen things up a bit. If Paul Green is busy with Qld and he declines after claiming the 2016 title for the Boycows, how about getting an Australian South Sea Islander, and the current Australian Coach, earn his big bucks by coaching the World Team to kick off a season? Meanwhile, there will always be a lot of stars still recovering from injuries or major surgery and unavailable but Uncle Wayne will always roll out an endless list of medical conditions for each of his Non-Indigenous stars to keep them out of the game. Uncle Wayne talks the talk but........

Far from offended Baz , just being facetious !

Not a world team at all, nothing near it even if you just use the actual Rugby League playing world. Disappointing as usual.

Well said Barry. Have missed your sane posts.

I enjoy this game and respect the broader meaning off the field. Maybe it's time to move Wayne on though. He's been the coach for a while now and he's clearly taking the mickey with selections like Maranta. If the people involved don't treat this game and concept with respect then sure enough the public will follow. My observations on a couple of the points raised above: The World team doesn't have to be the absolute best of the best. No Johnson? So what, Thurston is playing. No Blair? Smith is in the side. It's still a very good side (Maranta aside) full of internationals, representative players and talented up and comers. Not international enough? It's a 20 man squad with representatives from 8 nations. That's not a bad outcome considering how often we hear that the game is only played on the east coast of australia, south auckland and in northern england. It's certainly better than last year or any year previously. If you view it in context of being part of the journey rather than the destination then it's a good result. Race war? I guess that depends on your outlook and why you're cheering for the all-stars. I see this as a celebration of indigenous culture - something we don't do much of. I'm proud that rugby league leads the way. Sometimes I cheer for the indigenous team and sometimes I cheer for the all-stars. It usually aligns with which set of players I like the most. Enjoy the game and the occassion - don't look for reasons to be offended.

Lachlan Maranta!!!! I haven't laughed that hard in years. Thanks uncle Wayne for the belly laugh you senile old bat! Gee I didn't know wade Graham was indigenous. And in that case how has he not been picked for this squad for the last 7yrs?!? Should've been a walk up starter

Yep I'd be happy if there were no roosters involved , just another way of draining players and putting them at an unnecessary risk of injury. I can't be bothered with these games , it's almost like a race war , of course all the indigenous folk go for the all stars so I guess in these days of overly aggressive political correctness that makes me a racist if I go for the other team ?

Gives a fair indication that Bennett believes the game is a massive waste of time. And as such has no desire to risk anybody of note from his Broncos squad. I mean he has such a low opinion of Maranta that he is currently being shopped around, and is unlikely to play NRL this year. Yet he is a "World All Star". Bennett even mocked the game at the press conference yesterday saying the players like the concept as it gets them out of pre-season training and into nice air conditioned rooms. Had no interest in watching it before. And even less now. Fingers crossed Taupua gets through unscathed.

Hmmm..no Milford, Sean Johnson, Ben Hunt, Manu, Valentine Holmes, Adam Blair, Taumololo, Jennings, Foran etc...bit like City Country already? Disrespectful to the idea? Tough one. At what point are coaches reasonably protecting their players or selfishly depriving fans and ultimately the NRL bank which affects them? After watching that alleged Test in Hobart I'm quite happy to start focusing on NRL, Origin, even the upcoming Badminton finals featuring Thailand and South Korea.

Thanks Drac !

Not much diversity in terms of nationality: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - New Zealand 2 Semi Radradra - Fiji 3 Jarrod Croker - Australia 4 Josh Morris - Australia 5 Antonio Winterstein - Samoa 6 Gareth Widdop - England 7 Trent Hodkinson - Australia 8 James Graham - England 9 Cameron Smith (c) - Australia 10 Paul Gallen - Australia 11 Tyson Frizell - Wales 12 Simon Mannering - New Zealand 13 Sam Burgess - England 14 Tom Burgess - Engalnd 15 Kane Evans - Fiji 16 Robbie Farah - Australia (and Lebanon) 17 Lachlan Maranta - Australia 18 Nene McDonald - PNG 19 Trent Merrin - Australia 20 Martin Taupau - Samoa / New Zeland

Pointless announcement a few months back that the NRL All Stars are now the 'World All Stars'. The sad thing is we could have had a legitimate World All Stars team made up of all different nationalities rather than disrespecting every Rugby League fan by pretending the concept has changed from what it previously was. The idiots have already broken their own rules, the England captain is not taking part as was previously announced. Though if we're all honest we know Todd Greenberg didn't do his homework and just assumed that Graham was the England captain. Another missed opportunity by the genius decision makers in our game.

Madge would sure be hoping so. Three quarters of the Rabbitohs salary cap is on those lists.

How the hell was Maranta picked? Wayne Bennet trying to rest his good players at the broncos. F you Wayne Bennet! Maranta wasnt even picked in the NRL Grand Final team. Don't get me wrong, i rate Maranta but he's a fringe first grader.

If Maranta gets injured in this game I am deadset revoking my membership.

Crowd magnet Lachlan Maranta one of the best wingers in the world.....apparently,2016 from reserve grade..oh well,good luck to him...

Put an asterix next to each name. Once the coaches get into each player's ear the teams will be a lot different when they finally run out.

Tyson Frizell

I think the author would have done us all a bit if s favour by putting the country of origin next to each players name ... Just a suggestion ?