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The NRL All Stars will become the World All Stars in the NRL’s latest incarnation of the team that takes on the Indigenous All Stars in the NRL preseason.
Set to take place on February 13 in 2016, after the NRL Auckland Nines of that year, will see the Indigenous side take on a team that requires four players from Australia, New Zealand and England, as well as players from Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and France (pending availability).
The Australian, England and New Zealand captains are automatic selections in this team, with the rest of the side to be selected by Wayne Bennett.
Bennett will have to select at least one player from each NRL club, with the maximum number of players from a club in each team capped at two.
The game has been part of the NRL pre-season calendar since 2010.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg says the change gives the World All Stars the chance to celebrate their country of origin, and ensure the game remains relevant.
“The All Stars game will continue to be an important event on our calendar but this change will ensure it is even more relevant and entertaining,” Greenberg said.
“Not only will this move reinvigorate the concept, it will also ensure some of the best players from the best rugby league nations are playing together.
“We have seen in recent years the potential of some of the Pacific nations and this will ensure some of those players are given a chance to celebrate their heritage alongside some of the best players in the world from other nations, as well as the game’s finest Indigenous talent.
“We have some incredibly diverse talent in rugby league and the new All Stars side will ensure that talent is showcased.
“Under the new model the game will be bigger and better than ever.”
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