The Indigenous All-Stars have put in a crushing display in the annual NRL All-Stars game to take a 26-point victory over the World All-Stars.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Indigenous All-Stars 34
World All-Stars 8
The annual NRL All-Stars game is here, with the Indigenous All-Stars going in as red-hot favourites to pick up the victory over the World All-Stars in Newcastle. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEDT).
Despite the World All-Stars getting a narrow 12-8 victory last year, the odds look stacked against them this year, with the sides on paper looking to have a large difference in talent.
While it’s always difficult to say what sort of form players are in at this stage of the pre-season, the Indigenous All-Stars have always treated this game seriously, playing for their heritage.
Two of the biggest stars in the game Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston will be lining up for the Indigenous side, as they have done before. Thurston will be joined in the halves by talented youngster Ashley Taylor, forming an exciting combination.
The Indigenous team have a good mix of youth and experience, with Jack Bird joining Inglis in the centres, while Jack Wighton plays fullback. Andrew Fifita and Ryan James complete a scary front row, while Joel Thompson, Nathan Peats and Wade Graham are also in a strong forward pack.
The World team are lacking a lot of talent this year, with plenty of youngsters given a run. That’s not to say they won’t compete, but it’s hard to see them picking up enough over the Indigenous team.
The keys for the World team very much lie in winning the kicking metres and field possession battle, with Mitchel Moses and Moses Mbye under plenty of pressure to do that.
The way David Mead plays at the back will also be under scrutiny. He has long desired for the fullback job, and there will be no better opportunity to prove himself.
The Penrith duo of Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Bryce Cartwright will play front and second row respectively, while Jake Friend brings a wealth of experience to the side as hooker.
Gavin Cooper will join Cartwright in a lethal second row combination, with Gerard Beale and Jarrod Croker expected to benefit playing outside them in the centres.
What could play a factor in the contest is the extreme heat sweeping the east coast of Australia. At kick-off, it’s expected to be 32 degrees in Newcastle, meaning it’s going to be tough for everyone.
Whichever team deals with the heat better, regardless of the talent difference, could come out on top.
Prediction
The World All-Stars team don’t have a stack of big-name stars, and in a game where defence may not be of the highest priority, Thurston, Inglis and Taylor should have a field day.
Indigenous All-Stars by 14.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the 2017 NRL All-Stars game from 8pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Kevin Malone
Guest
It stinks
Kevin Malone
Guest
And play for what ? Th whole concept is divisive and relevant to one team only
Fightfair
Guest
A crushing display over a fourth ,no fith rate all stars team. Who's Jordan Turner? Where was Smith, Cronk , Tedesco ,Hayne , Maloney, Frizzel , Merran, Morris,Dugan, Scott, Morgan, ect. Ect. ? The concept needs credibility. Pick a fairdinkum team.
Jono
Guest
As a Raiders fan the positivity I feel about this game depends heavily on how long Croker is out off. On a more positive note, seeing a game does raise the anticipation for the season to start. The Indigenous team scored some great tries, which was entertaining. The All-Stars, maybe somewhat understandably, didn't seem to really care all too much about the result. Maybe there needs to be a change up on who they play against.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NRL All-Stars game as the Indigenous All-Stars ran out big winners. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. The NRL season is just a few weeks away, and The Roar will have live coverage of every single game. Before then, we will have coverage of the World Club Series and Charity Shield. Bye for now.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Very entertaining game. Its a good game to start the year both for players and spectators. I hope they keep it going. JT and GI were spectacular to watch. Fifita had a massive game as well. Bad luck for Croker. Bring on season 2017!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Preston Campbell Medal: Johnathan Thurston
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results The Indigenous All-Stars have put in a crushing display in the annual NRL All-Stars game to take a 26-point victory over the World All-Stars. It took just four minutes for the first try to come, and it opened the floodgates. Joel Thompson made a strong break on the right-hand side of the field, before linking with Jack Bird who ran over for the opener. In the heat, it was difficult for the World All-Stars to reverse the tide, as they spent much of the first half in defence. Errors coming out of trouble didn’t help them and would pave the way for the next try as Blake Ferguson scored off a scrum. The third try, scored by Ashley Taylor came off another error as Johnathan Thurston summed up the situation perfectly. At the end of the first quarter, it was 16-0, but things would change quickly in the second. The Indigenous All-Stars began to make a stack of errors, and the World team made them pay, scoring a pair of tries at the back end of the first half. The first came from David Mead in the 36th minute, as he crashed over in the corner after some amazing acrobatic work from Nene McDonald to keep a kick in. McDonald himself would close the first half with a try, crashing over with some fast reflexes in the corner from a Jarrod Croker pass. At halftime in Newcastle, it was the Indigenous All-Stars leading by 8. The second half got underway similar to the first, and very little changed for the rest of the match as the Indigenous team didn't let in another try. The first set of the second half saw a try for Johnathan Thurston after he set up a move outside, Bevan French putting a kick back over the top for the try. It took a while for the next try, but Dane Gagai would eventually cross over, the Indigenous defence holding strong despite errors continuing to mount from both side. The final try of the match would come in the last ten minutes as a short drop out came from the World All-Stars, landing in the lap of Leilani Latu who crashed over for the try. The Indigenous All-Stars then, running out convincing winners. Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
A big win here for the Indigenous All-Stars here then. Full report to come. Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Well, the World All-Stars looking to work the clock down here but an offload has popped out on halfway and a knock on has been ruled as Mata'utia struggles to hang on to it. The scrum could have packed, but no one is interested and that'll do us. Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Peats and James take the first two runs, both back at the sticks before Inglis goes left and gets pulled down. Mitchell to Sezer and on to Fifita before Wighton who has had it taken from him. An error from McQueen as well now and it's all happening. World All-Stars scrum feed going back to the original error. Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - The Indigenous All-Stars bring it away through Inglis and Mitchell to halfway before Roberts makes a bust through the middle, getting inside 10. Ashley Taylor has been shoved away without the ball here and it's a penalty for the Indigenous All-Stars. They opt to go the six rather than two. Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - The World All-Stars right on the march here. Moeroa held a few metres out before Cooper is taken after a pretty ordinary pass out the back. McLean goes right and switches back to the left but can't make anything happen. Cook with a grubber and that's an ordinary one as Peachey comes up with it. Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - A really strong set from the Indigenous All-Stars, finishing with a kick into the corner. The World now look to bring it away, struggle early and Campbell-Gillard does a stack of work to get them back to halfway. McDonald held to 30 metres out before Mbye finds Cooper with a new set of six. Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - The World All-Stars bring it forward through McLean and Campbell-Gillard, before Fifita comes up with an intercept. Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - A couple of strong runs from the Indigenous All-Stars before Latu's head has just cut open and he will be off to the blood bin. A mistake on the next play as well. This game is just going to go out to nothing now as the players try to not get injured and stay healthy. Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by AIDAN SEZER Indigenous All-Stars 34 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - TRY INDIGENOUS ALL-STARTS, LEILANI LATU Well, an attempted short drop out has backfired horribly for the World All-Stars. It's dropped straight into the waiting arms of Leilani Latu and he has crashed over in the corner. Indigenous All-Stars 32 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - Wighton and Inglis bring it away with strong runs for the Indigenous side before they come over halfway through Latu. Now they come right and Sezer takes on the line, fighting to within 20. Lovely inside ball for Graham now who rolls a kick in behind, Peats knocking it dead. Indigenous All-Stars 28 World All-Stars 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - The World All-Stars bring it inside 10 now and spread left before there is an intercept with Gagai going the other way. Indigenous All-Stars 28 World All-Stars 8