Life in lockdown is pretty boring.
The days tend to roll into one, you put off that gin and tonic until a respectable hour for a sense of achievement, and spend the time reading/watching TV/ranting at the world.
And still, I can’t find the inclination to watch pre-season NRL games. I know their purpose is not for entertainment, but rather to get teams ready and at a stretch, take the action on the road and show some love for the bush.
I’m sure I’m not alone in this passivity. But this weekend is an exemption.
The All-Stars game will be brimming with representative pride and athletic competence (compared to your run-of-the-mill friendlies).
For years, the NRL experimented with filling the off-season void, knowing that no matter how much latent athletic potential exists, without the motivation to express it, the product will be a shallow spectacle until that blessed mid-March relief.
Until recently, the All-Stars game pitted an Indigenous XIII against a side comprising one (maximum of two) player per club, voted by the fans.
There was a brief period where it was a ‘World’ side, with a proportion of players selected from the top nations, before it collapsed under its own contradictions; imagine the shock of discovering the ‘automatically’ selected England captain played in… England.
The entire concept of an ‘All-Stars’ game was an Americanism, lacking in cultural or conferential context. There is a single NRL conference, unlike the myriad of mini-leagues under the Americans’ behemothic umbrella from which they derive All-Stars sides.
The imported concept also misfitted because baseball, gridiron and basketball all enjoyed American hegemony. There exists a lack of top-quality representative action that cannot be said for rugby league (with its State of Origin and, nominally at least, commitment to the international game).
For most of the concept’s history, there was no pride from half of the players. The NRL/World All-Stars were a hotchpotch of representative inconsequentiality, personifying neither a nation, culture or area, and the gimmicky nature of selection made it more mickey mouse than the PM’s XIII, and with worse quality to boot.
By equating the pinnacle of Australian Indigenous representation with a veritable smorgasbord selected with less rigour than a tombola at a village fête, it diminished the experience and worth of Indigenous players.
The tone was set when one of the ‘automatic’ picks for the ‘All-Stars’ was to be the Kangaroos’ captain, as if the very idea of a national Indigenous leader was beyond the realms of comprehension.
But the idea of two proud sides, based on nominal equality of trans-Tasman heritage, creates the atmosphere in which such a spectacle may be produced. I know there are some who may view such a concept as a needless case of racial divisiveness, complaining about “quotas” or “pandering” to whoever it may be.
The Indigenous-Māori fixture can act, standalone and as a catalyst, for greater Indigenous advocacy in rugby league.
Even gestural ideas like Indigenous kits (all season, rather than just for ‘Indigenous Round’), calls to country and acknowledgment of original place names can symbolise a willingness to acknowledge national and sporting Indigeneity, and co-operate to solve afflicting problems.
It’s not for this half-white Pom to ascribe what absolutely must and must not be done.
Rather, channels between the players that will take to the field this weekend need to be functional enough to facilitate dialogue about how the game can assist in such communities.
I am a bit cheesed off that rugby league can (rightly) find time for this rep fixture, but still can’t fully commit to a long-term international calendar. T’was ever thus.
Regardless, I’m looking forward to watching some rugby league that isn’t streamed from a French field, or a lackadaisically dispassionate friendly.
The difference is that, to many of the players, it’s not a friendly.
Yes, it’s still a stopgap until the action proper resumes next month.
But you can see the haka and unity dance, and read for yourself the emotion when it comes to putting on the kit representing their heritage – I certainly have neither the contextual understanding nor the emotional vocabulary to vivify such feelings.
And from this, there is interest and determination beyond your typical glorified training run-out – enough to get me up on Saturday morning, and hopefully enough to provide the foundations for Indigenous advancement.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Missing 7 players from the best team in the competition really hurts the appeal of the game. I'll still take an interest but when guys like Isaac Luke, who doesn't even have a contract make the cut it makes you wonder
Christo
Roar Guru
Great article and go Maori
Stevo
Guest
I don't think Big Mal is indigenous or has ever claimed to be.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Play it , dont play it. Sing it don't sing it . We are incredibly lucky here that all alternatives are legal and free from government sanction.
Rosie
Roar Rookie
Will the national anthems be played? I would assume the Australian anthem will be played as the word that caused so much issue was changed.
MickDonovan
Roar Rookie
Yeqh should be great, some serious talent out there in both the men's and the women's. The Indigenous boys look very fit.
The Set Peace
Roar Rookie
Well you think they'd get on it, seems like a great idea. Better than a 50-22 or goal line drop out idea that they borrowed from League.
MickDonovan
Roar Rookie
To my knowledge that team still exists in some capacity, but it's hardly playing games like the NRL All stars on primetime tv.
MickDonovan
Roar Rookie
Yeah a whole bus load of them, they are jumping out of their skin. It's why I tell people never underestimate the power of events like this.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Absolutely helps the players be better....I thought Jahrome Hughes has a great game last year and really built his confidence to play his first full season at 7. Season went so well he's looking at a multimillion dollar contract for next year onwards.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I might be wrong here but I think Big Artie was the first indigenous person to captain Australia in any sport.. Agree this is a fixture to stick with...
Paul
Roar Guru
a well amde G&T is a great drick, I reckon. This is hoiw yout tiping comes put after an erli start!
Paul
Roar Guru
always a good idea to get in a few heart starters before play, Sam. You then have to pace yourself through the day.
Nat
Roar Guru
Bathurst to Townville! Outstanding effort. Fellas from Mt Isa, who only made the 10hr trip will think you're nuts. Enjoy the game.
Nat
Roar Guru
I'm with you, I can't come at it either.
Adam
Roar Guru
Makes you wonder why not when the Lloyd McDermott team was such a good concept (does the team still exist?)
Adam
Roar Guru
It's the T that's the problem. G and soda is a much more pleasing combo
Adam
Roar Guru
Don't ask for it, take it!
MickDonovan
Roar Rookie
Don't get me started on why they don't have an Indigenous representative team.
Tony
Roar Guru
Irish whiskey - tick Bourbon - tick Rum - tick G & T - fail :happy: