2013 All Stars in Brisbane

[DIEHARD]

Indigenous All Stars vs NRL All Stars
Suncorp Stadium - 9 February 2013

[DIEHARD]

Vote for the NRL All Stars here! http://www.nrl.com/repgames/allstars/tabid/10974/default.aspx

[DIEHARD]

Voting for All Stars now open

Rugby League fans are being called on to play selector for Wayne Bennett when voting opens tomorrow for the 2013 NRL All Stars team to be spearheaded by rival Townsville Test captains Cameron Smith and Benji Marshall.

While on opposing teams in their final match of the 2012 season in the Australia Vs New Zealand Test in Townsville tomorrow, they will team up in the first official game of 2013, the fourth annual Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on February 9.

As NRL All Stars captain and Kiwis skipper, Marshall is an automatic selection in the 20-man NRL All Stars squad with Kangaroos and Storm captain Cameron Smith as the Australian team’s automatic selection.

The public now take on the role of selector and will vote on the 16 players to join Marshall and Smith in Stage One of online voting. An additional two players will be selected by Bennett at the completion of Stage Two voting in January.

Fans have from October 13 to until December 10 to be a selector in the first stage of voting at www.nrl.com/allstars. They must choose two forwards and two backs from each of the 16 NRL Clubs to form a shortlist for Bennett to then refine his team for Stage Two of the voting.

“The All Stars is an incredibly important event on the Rugby League calendar as it showcases all the great things about our game from amazing skills and athleticism to inclusiveness, spirit and passion,” Bennett said.

“It is a very fitting way to kick off the 2013 pre-season. Now in its fourth year, the match has not lost any of its appeal to me as a coach; to the players who see it as a great honour to represent their people; and to the wider community who watch it live or on Channel Nine.”

At the completion of Stage One voting, Bennett will place the 64 players chosen into his preferred positions, as well as outline the make-up of the bench positions.
Stage Two of voting will commence December 10, where the public have the challenge of selecting just one player from each of the 16 NRL Clubs to join Marshall’s side.

Bennett and the NRL All Stars coaching staff select the remaining two players to form the final 20-man squad.

Overview of NRL All Stars voting:
- The first player to be chosen in the NRL All Stars team will be the player who scores the highest number of overall votes in a position.
? Once a player from one club is placed in the team, no other player from that club can be selected.
? If a player withdraws from the team due to injury, he will be replaced by someone from the bench.
? The open bench spot will then be replaced by someone from the injured player’s club, depending on the position needed for the bench.

2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars Ticket Categories and Prices
Tickets for the 2013 Harvey Norman All Stars match are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au. New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849.

Categories
Cat 1
Cat 2
Cat 3
Adult

$50.00
$20.00
Pensioner *
$80.00
$45.00
$18.00
Junior
$70.00
$40.00
$16.00
Family (2A+2J)
$265.00
$150.00
$60.00

The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars is supported by Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural, regional and business events across Queensland.
*Aged, War, TPI, Invalid & Disability

http://www.nrl.com/voting-for-all-stars-now-open/tabid/10976/newsid/70241/default.aspx

[DIEHARD]

What does everyone think about the NRL Jerseys?

2010
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2010/12/29/1225978/220214-nrl-all-stars.jpg

2011
http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/uploads/all-stars-shoot.jpg

2012
http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/02/03/1226262/239804-nrl-all-stars.jpg

[Titanic]

Don't like any of them.

[DIEHARD]

Don't like any of them.

They just cant seem to get it right. I prefer 2012, 2010 and 2011 in that order.

The addition of club logos was a good thing this year.

[Titanic]

They need V's or butchers stripes or hoops or at least something which looks like a rugby league jersey and doesn't look like the dogs (apologies to Canterbury) breakfast or a reject from Target.

[TITAN PETE]

NRL All Stars voting revealed

RSS
Andrew Bryan NRL.com Thu, Nov 15, 2012 - 1:30 PM



North Queensland’s James Tamou is the highest ranked forward in the voting for the Harvey Norman NRL All Stars, capping a dream year for the 23-year-old in which he debuted for Australia and New South Wales and cemented himself as one of the game’s best forwards.

Such is the rapid rise of Tamou - he is currently outshining perennial fan favourites Billy Slater, Paul Gallen, Cooper Cronk and Michael Jennings with just over a week to go in Phase One of voting.


Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne leads the voting ahead of Akuila Uate, Brett Morris, Tamou and Slater.

The Cowboys enforcer was surprised when told he was in the top five of voting for the NRL All Stars team to be coached by Wayne Bennett.

“It’s very flattering to have so much support,” Tamou told NRL.com.

“It’s a game I’d love to play in and I haven’t had the chance to yet. When I’ve watched it, I’ve been pretty envious.

“The All Stars game has become a big part of our season and to be recognised as being good enough to be part of the NRL All Stars team would be a huge honour.

“Just having another chance to play alongside the high-profile players in the game, and spend time with them in camp, would be a buzz.”

South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds’ breakout debut season has also earned the attention of fans, with the 22-year-old comfortably near the top of the voting – surprisingly ahead of Kangaroos and Queensland half, Cronk.

The 2012 rookie of the year helped guide South Sydney to the NRL finals in his debut season and was unfortunately injured during an exhilarating Preliminary Final against the Bulldogs in front of more than 70,000 fans at ANZ Stadium.

FuiFui MoiMoi’s cult following has also ensured he is at the top of voting, despite Parramatta’s disappointing season in 2012. While the Eels finished with the wooden spoon, the popularity of the big forward has not waned with fans.

Brett Morris has bragging rights over his twin-brother Josh, but both are proving popular and are in the top 10 of voting.

The first stage of voting for the NRL All Stars team, which includes fans picking two forwards and two backs from each club finishes on November 26.

The second phase will begin on December 10 and will require fans to trim down the list of 64 players to just 16, with coach Wayne Bennett to handpick two players to go along with Australian captain Cam Smith and New Zealand captain Benji Marshall who are automatic selections in the squad.

The Indigenous All Stars side voting will also start on December 10, with coach Laurie Daley able to select three players to add to the squad picked by the fans.

Voting closes January 14, with the teams to both be named on January 16.

The NRL All Stars game will kick-off on Saturday February 9 at Suncorp Stadium.

The top 10 players in NRL All Stars voting:

1. Jarryd Hayne

2. Akuila Uate

3. Brett Morris

4. James Tamou

5. Billy Slater

6. Fuifui Moimoi

7. Adam Reynolds

8. Josh Morris

9. Michael Jennings

10. Cooper Cronk

[GC_Titans_Fan]

What does everyone think about the NRL Jerseys?

2010
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2010/12/29/1225978/220214-nrl-all-stars.jpg

2011
http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/uploads/all-stars-shoot.jpg

2012
http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/02/03/1226262/239804-nrl-all-stars.jpg

The white jerseys are much better than the blue one.

[DIEHARD]

Countdown on in NRL All Stars voting

With just a few hours remaining, a record 15,000 Rugby League fans have already had their say in who should get representative honours in Wayne Bennett?s NRL All Stars for the 2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match, with Stage One voting closing at 11:59pm tonight (AEDT).

Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne maintains the overall leader as the fan favourite with over 9000 votes, ahead of Akuila Uate (Knights), Brett Morris (Dragons), James Tamou (Cowboys) and Billy Slater (Storm) for the fourth annual Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match to be held on February 9 at Brisbane?s Suncorp Stadium for the first time.

The top 10 players for the 2013 NRL All Stars in Stage One voting so far are:

Player - Club
1. Jarryd Hayne - Eels
2. Akuila Uate - Knights
3. Brett Morris - Dragons
4. James Tamou - Cowboys
5. Billy Slater - Storm
6. Fuifui Moimoi - Eels
7. Adam Reynolds - Rabbitohs
8. Josh Morris - Bulldogs
9. Paul Gallen - Sharks
10. Michael Jennings - Panthers

The All Stars concept is unique as the only representative game in any Australian football code where fans have the chance to play selector and determine the make-up of the teams, with 15,315 fans having already logged onto www.nrl.com/allstars to select their favourite two backs and two forwards from each club for the NRL All Stars.

A ?shortlist? of 64 players (top two forwards and two backs from each NRL club) will be announced this week and Bennett will review it and place the players into preferred positions, including how he would like to see the make-up of the interchange bench, ahead of Stage Two voting opening on December 10.

The public will then have the challenge of selecting just one player from each of the 16 NRL Clubs to join NRL All Stars captain and New Zealand skipper Benji Marshall and Australian captain Cameron Smith, who are automatic selections.

Bennett and the NRL All Stars coaching staff select the remaining two players to form the final 20-man squad.

Voting for the Indigenous All Stars team will also open on December 10 with both teams announced on January 16.
Overview of NRL All Stars voting:

? The first player to be chosen in the NRL All Stars team will be the player who scores the highest number of overall votes in a position.
? Once a player from one club is placed in the team, no other player from that club can be selected.
? If a player withdraws from the team due to injury, he will be replaced by someone from the bench.
? The open bench spot will then be replaced by someone from the injured player?s club, depending on the position needed for the bench.

2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars Ticket Categories and Prices
Tickets for the 2013 Harvey Norman All Stars match are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au. New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849.

Categories Cat 1 Cat 2 Cat 3
Adult $90.00 $50.00 $20.00
Pensioner (Aged, War, TPI, Invalid & Disability) $80.00 $45.00 $18.00
Junior $70.00 $40.00 $16.00
Family (2A+2J) $265.00 $150.00 $60.00

The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars is supported by Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural, regional and business events across Queensland.

http://www.titans.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Titans in shortlist for NRL All Stars
Adam Gardini

iSelect Gold Coast Titans quartet Dave Taylor, Nate Myles, Will Zillman and Kevin Gordon have made the shortlist after the first stage of online voting for Wayne Bennett?s 2013 NRL All Stars.

The quartet were the most popular iSelect Titans players among the 15,723 fans that took part in the first stage of voting.

Results released today show exciting backs Billy Slater and Jarryd Hayne, dynamic wingers AkuilaUate and Brett Morris and powerhouses James Tamou and Fuifui Moimoi were the most popular players overall.

Hayne (Eels) was the overall favourite with 9491 votes, 208 ahead of Uate (Knights) after six weeks of voting at www.nrl.com/allstars where fans chose their favourite two backs and two forwards from all 16 NRL Clubs to be considered for Bennett?s team for the 2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars.

The top 10 fan favourites also included Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs), Josh Morris (Bulldogs), Paul Gallen (Sharks) and Cooper Cronk (Storm).Cronk finished just one vote ahead of Michael Jennings (Panthers).

Hayne said: "I feel really honoured; it's such a privilege to be a part of the whole All Stars concept ? it's become an important part of the Rugby League calendar. It's nice to be thought of by the fans who voted for me.?

Bennett now has a 64-man ?shortlist? from which the public will get a second chance to pick 16 players (one only from each club) to join automatic selections Benji Marshall and Cameron Smith for the fourth annual Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars at Brisbane?s Suncorp Stadium on February 9.

The top 10 players for the 2013 NRL All Stars in Stage One voting:
Player - Club
1. Jarryd Hayne - Eels
2. Akuila Uate - Knights
3. Brett Morris - Dragons
4. James Tamou - Cowboys
5. Billy Slater - Storm
6. Fuifui Moimoi - Eels
7. Adam Reynolds - Rabbitohs
8. Josh Morris - Bulldogs
9. Paul Gallen - Sharks
10. Cooper Cronk - Storm

The publicly-chosen 64-man ?shortlist? for the 2013 NRL All Stars:

Broncos
Backs: Peter Wallace, Corey Norman
Forwards: Ben Hannant, Corey Parker

Bulldogs
Backs: Josh Morris, Krisnan Inu
Forwards: Sam Kasiano, Tony Williams

Cowboys
Backs: Ashley Graham, Kane Linnett
Forwards: James Tamou, Matthew Scott

Dragons
Backs: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale
Forwards: Ben Creagh, Trent Merrin

Eels
Backs: Jarryd Hayne, Ken Sio
Forwards: FuifuiMoimoi, Tim Mannah

Knights
Backs: Akuila Uate, Darius Boyd
Forwards: Danny Buderus, Kade Snowden

Panthers
Backs: Michael Jennings, Lachlan Coote
Forwards: Tim Grant, Sika Manu

Rabbitohs
Backs: Adam Reynolds, Andrew Everingham
Forwards: Ben Te?o, Issac Luke

Raiders
Backs: Josh Dugan, Jarrod Croker
Forwards: David Shillington, Josh Papalii

Roosters
Backs: James Maloney, Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Forwards: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Frank-Paul Nuuausala

Sea Eagles
Backs: Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon
Forwards: Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough

Sharks
Backs: Beau Ryan, Michael Gordon
Forwards: Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis

Storm
Backs: Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk
Forwards: Ryan Hoffman, Kevin Proctor

Titans
Backs: Will Zillman, Kevin Gordon
Forwards: David Taylor, Nate Myles

Warriors
Backs: Shaun Johnson, Konrad Hurrell
Forwards: Feleti Mateo, Ben Matulino

Wests Tigers
Backs: Chris Lawrence, Tim Moltzen
Forwards: Robbie Farah, Aaron Woods

NB Brent Tate (Cowboys), Todd Carney (Sharks) and Jack Reed (Broncos) were removed from voting because of injuries.

Bennett will now have two weeks to review the list and place the players into preferred positions, including how he would like to see the make-up of the interchange bench, ahead of Stage Two voting opening on December 10.

The public will have until January 14 to select just one player from each of the 16 NRL Clubs to join Marshall and Smith in the final 20-man squad, which will also feature two players chosen by Bennett and the NRL All Stars coaching staff.

Voting for the Indigenous All Stars team will also open on December 10 with both teams announced on January 16.

Overview of NRL All Stars voting:
? The first player to be chosen in the NRL All Stars team will be the player who scores the highest number of overall votes in a position.
? Once a player from one club is placed in the team, no other player from that club can be selected.
? If a player withdraws from the team due to injury, he will be replaced by someone from the bench.
? The open bench spot will then be replaced by someone from the injured player?s club, depending on the position needed for the bench.

2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars Ticket Categories and Prices
Tickets for the 2013 Harvey Norman All Stars match are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au. New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849.

Categories Cat 1 Cat 2 Cat 3
Adult $90.00 $50.00 $20.00
Pensioner (Aged, War, TPI, Invalid andDisability) $80.00 $45.00 $18.00
Junior $70.00 $40.00 $16.00
Family (2 adults +2 juniors) $265.00 $150.00 $60.00

http://www.titans.com.au

[Hail Sezer]

Everyone put Sezer in at halfback for the Indigenous team!

[DIEHARD]

Everyone put Sezer in at halfback for the Indigenous team!

I like that idea.

[DIEHARD]

Voting opens for Indigenous All Stars

Fans face the dual challenge of deciding which of their favourite players to select for NRL All Stars and Indigenous All Stars honours as the cut-throat final public stage of voting was launched today (Dec 10) for the 2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars.

Broncos stars Justin Hodges, Peter Wallace, Corey Parker and Jharal Yow Yeh were on hand in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall today as online voting got underway at www.nrl.com/allstars for prized spots in the fourth annual All Stars match to be held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium for the first time on February 9.

While fans have yet to have their say in the Indigenous All Stars team, more than 15,700 have had their say in Stage One of voting online for the NRL All Stars team to determine a 64-man ‘shortlist’ for the final stage of public voting.

Fans have until January 14 to cut that to16, with only one player from each club eligible for Wayne Bennett’s NRL All Stars; while fans can choose from Rugby League’s best Indigenous talent for Laurie Daley’s Indigenous All Stars.

Both coaches will be able to select additional bench players to complement the 16-man teams chosen by the public to make up a 20-man squad, with Bennett able to select two extras alongside automatic selections Benji Marshall (New Zealand captain) and Cameron Smith (Australian captain).

Daley will pick three extra players in addition to automatic selection and Indigenous All Stars captain Johnathan Thurston and the 16 public selections.

Storm superstar Billy Slater was one of the most popular players in Stage One voting which closed two weeks ago, but he faces his toughest challenge from team-mate Cooper Cronk to secure the one Melbourne spot in the NRL All Stars line-up.

Fans will also have to choose between the likes of Paul Gallen, Beau Ryan and Luke Lewis from the Sharks, the Raiders’ Josh Dugan and David Shillington, Eels Jarryd Hayne and Fuifui Moimoi, and the Dragons’ Ben Creagh and Brett Morris, who all made the ‘shortlist’ of 64 players, which comprises two forwards and two backs from each NRL Club.

NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett said: “It’s important we have the best players in the game in the team.

“My tip for the public selectors, who have always delivered an excellent team for me to work with, is to think about the key positions first – halfback, five-eighth, hooker and fullback.

“Given two of those spots are already covered with Benji Marshall (five-eighth) and Cameron Smith (hooker) as automatic selections, I would look at filling the halfback spot first, then fullback because there are so many quality options to choose from.

“You have the likes of Josh Dugan, who has done a good job the past two years; Jarryd Hayne, who is more than up to it at fullback after missing out with injury in previous years; and the talented Billy Slater, but he will no doubt be locked in a battle with Cooper Cronk for the one Storm spot.”

Bennett has now assigned the following positions to the 64 shortlisted players and has asked fans to consider his guide below when choosing their NRL All Stars team.

Backs have been divided into three separate groups:
• Fullback – Specialist role
• Outside Back – Includes centres and wings
• Inside Back – A player who can play five-eighth or halfback

Forwards have also been divided into three categories:
• Tight Forwards – A player who plays front-row and also second-row
• Edge Forwards – A second-rower or lock that can play on both the right and left side edge of a team’s attack and defence
• Hooker – Specialist role

Bennett is also asking the fans to consider:
• Players marked as utility players have been designated on the basis of their ability to cover multiple positions
• The seven-man bench will require:
- two Tight Forwards
- one Edge Forward
- one Inside Back
- one Outside Back
- two Utilities.

Club Backs/ Forwards Bennett’s Positional Guide

Broncos
Peter Wallace - Inside back
Corey Norman - Fullback
Ben Hannant - Tight forward
Corey Parker - Tight forward

Bulldogs
Josh Morris - Outside back
Krisnan Inu - Outside back
Sam Kasiano - Tight forward
Tony Williams - Edge forward

Cowboys
Ashley Graham - Outside back
Kane Linnett - side back
James Tamou - Tight forward
Matthew Scott - Tight forward

Dragons
Brett Morris - Outside back
Jason Nightingale - Outside back
Ben Creagh - Edge forward
Trent Merrin - Tight forward

Eels
Jarryd Hayne - Fullback/ Outside back
Ken Sio - Fullback/ Outside back
Fuifui Moimoi - Tight forward
Tim Mannah - Tight forward

Knights
Akuila Uate - Outside back
Darius Boyd - Fullback
Danny Buderus - Hooker
Kade Snowden - Tight forward

Panthers
Michael Jennings - Outside back
Lachlan Coote - Fullback
Tim Grant - Tight forward
Sika Manu - Edge forward

Rabbitohs
Adam Reynolds - Inside back
Andrew Everingham - Outside back
Ben Te’o - Edge forward
Issac Luke - Hooker

Raiders
Josh Dugan - Fullback
Jarrod Croker - Outside back
David Shillington - Tight forward
Josh Papalii - Edge forward

Roosters
James Maloney - Inside back
Shaun Kenny-Dowall - Outside back
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - Tight forward
Frank-Paul Nuuausala - Tight forward

Sea Eagles
Brett Stewart - Fullback
Jamie Lyon - Outside back
Glenn Stewart - Edge forward
Anthony Watmough - Edge forward/ Tight forward

Sharks
Beau Ryan - Fullback/ Outside back
Michael Gordon - Fullback/ Outside back
Paul Gallen - Tight forward
Luke Lewis - Edge forward

Storm
Billy Slater - Fullback
Cooper Cronk -Inside back
Ryan Hoffman - Edge forward
Kevin Proctor - Edge forward

Titans
William Zillman - Fullback
Kevin Gordon - Outside back
David Taylor - Edge forward
Nate Myles - Tight forward

Warriors
Shaun Johnson - Inside back
Konrad Hurrell - Outside back
Feleti Mateo - Edge forward
Ben Matulino - Tight forward/ Edge forward

Wests Tigers
Chris Lawrence - Outside back
Tim Moltzen - Fullback/ Inside back/ Utility
Robbie Farah - Hooker
Aaron Woods - Tight forward

2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars Ticket Categories and Prices
Tickets for the 2013 Harvey Norman All Stars match are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au. New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849.

Categories Cat 1 Cat 2 Cat 3
Adult $90.00 $50.00 $20.00
Pensioner (Aged, War, TPI, Invalid & Disability) $80.00 $45.00 $18.00
Junior $70.00 $40.00 $16.00
Family (2A+2J) $265.00 $150.00 $60.00

The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars is supported by Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural, regional and business events across Queensland.

http://www.titans.com.au/news-display/titans/66652

[DIEHARD]

Presto hopes players don't ditch All Stars

THE man who conceived the NRL's All Stars idea - Preston Campbell - said he would understand if players boycotted the rugby league showpiece over a salary dispute.

But the former Gold Coast Titan hoped players would consider the impact the game had on the community programs it helped fund before striking.

Campbell was in Brisbane yesterday to help launch the final stage of public voting for the 2013 All Stars clash on February 9 to be held at Suncorp Stadium for the first time.

However, Campbell admitted he was concerned the headline event may be a fizzer if big-name players opted to stay away.

The Rugby League Players Association held their latest round of talks with the Australian Rugby League Commission last week in a bid to increase the NRL salary cap from $5 million to $6.5 million next season.

Players have refused to rule out an All Stars strike over the dispute.

Campbell said players deserved a pay increase but hoped they did not earn it by ditching the All Stars clash.

"I understand the boys want to get what they can," he said.

"If the boys get a bit more then they deserve it. It's a tough environment playing rugby league.

"But at the same time players have to realise that without the support of the community, without people buying merchandise or going to games, switching the TV on to watch a match, the game wouldn't be as great - we need to remember that."

The All Stars concept has helped raise almost $5 million for NRL community programs in its first three years, with the ARLC hoping to increase the initiatives it supports next year.

The All Stars game was one of the projects that helped the ARLC take out Governing Body of the Year at this year's Beyond Sport Federation Awards in London.

"It would be disappointing if the game wasn't played," Campbell said.

"We would have to work a bit harder in trying to get the message out there.

"This is a great vehicle to get to a wider audience.

"It is making a big difference in so many people's lives."

Broncos star Justin Hodges said a strike would damage the good work the game did on and off the field.

"It would hurt everything," he said.

"As players we want to get paid like everybody else.

"We deserve it. We put our bodies through a lot of torture.

"But I will leave it to the players association.

"Hopefully we can get out there and play ... especially a game that means so much to our people."

Public voting on the Indigenous side and a 64-man NRL All Stars shortlist will end on January 14.

Laurie Daley will return as Indigenous All Stars coach while Wayne Bennett will again take up the NRL team's reins.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/

[DIEHARD]

Campbell against All Stars boycott

Preston Campbell does not support the NRL players in any plans to boycott the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars game.

Campbell, the mastermind behind the NRL All Stars concept, talked to NRL.com to clarify his position, with reports overnight indicating he understood the players talk of strike action.

?I was not condoning or supporting the boys boycotting the All Stars game,? Campbell told NRL.com.

?I was basically stating that I understand that they were trying to raise minimum wage and working towards a solution.

?Boycotting any game is not the right way to go about things. Whether it is All Stars or any game of football, boycotting is not ideal.

?I never said that I supported strike action, but I do understand the players? position and them trying to get a compromise around the salary cap.?

Campbell is one of the most respected figures to have played the game, notching up 267 NRL games in a career spanning 14 years, winning a premiership with Penrith in 2003.

The former Dally M Player of the Year agreed that players deserve to be paid more, but was adamant that there was a right and wrong way to go about negotiations.

?Sometimes we need to realise why our game is so great and why we as footballers are so privileged to be able to get paid well,? he said.

?We get sponsored and training gear and given other freebies. We get given all this stuff because of the support we are given by the community, our fans and supporters.

?If they don?t support us, Rugby League isn?t the product it is today. Rugby League is a product people want to be involved in. The fans and the community hold the real power, without them, there is no game.

?Ultimately, strike action hurts our fans and I don?t think that the players should do that.?

The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars concept has helped raise almost $5 million for NRL community programs in its first three years, with the ARLC hoping to increase the initiatives it supports next year.

Campbell has seen the effects in the community first-hand and is very humbled to have played a part in the life changing programs that have been created from his initial idea.

?The power of Rugby League should not be underestimated,? he said.

?People see players going into schools and in the community, and when they see that we are there not looking for talent, but looking to help encourage the kids especially in their later schooling years and the first few years out of school, they are really surprised.

?I?m very proud what the All Stars concept has done in the communities. It is an important game, but Rugby League is more than just a game, our players inspire people every week. But to have a game that is specifically for the betterment of other people, I think it is very important.

?There are probably a few players who don?t fully understand the concept and just play in it because it is an awesome game with the best players in the NRL, that is a benefit in itself that we can bring these people together, but the main theme of All Stars is giving back to the community.

?We have achieved so many great things already and I?m really looking forward to seeing what else is possible through Rugby League.?

Source: http://www.NRL.com

[DIEHARD]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/3484_10151198270913074_1680455938_n.jpg

[DIEHARD]

I should really start now and collect the Indigenous jerseys, they are always interesting and attractive.

[GC_Titans_Fan]

That's a horrible NRL All Stars jersey. I'm not a big fan of the indigenous jersey or any NRL club's indigenous jersey with the exception of Preston Campbell's Titans design.

[TITAN PETE]

NRL All Stars boycott unlikely: Gallen

Steve Jancetic AAP Tue, Dec 11, 2012 - 1:05 PM


NSW and Cronulla captain Paul Gallen claims talk of a strike is premature in the players' quest for a greater slice of the NRL money pie.

Gallen, preparing for a charity boxing bout in New Zealand on Saturday night, said he didn't believe the players and the NRL were too far apart as negotiations continue for a salary cap increase.

With ARL Commission chairman John Grant desperate to limit a cap increase in a bid to preserve money in a future fund, speculation has arisen that players could boycott next year's All Stars game if their demands are not met.

But Gallen denied that option was under serious consideration.

"There's no way in the world players want that," Gallen said.

"We love the fans, it's a blue-collar game and the fans love us because we get out there and we put our body on the line every single week.

"We certainly don't want to get to that stage. There certainly hasn't been talk about that."

Gallen was confident the resolution could soon be found in talks for a new collective bargaining agreement.

"I think both sides are working hard to get something done," he said.

"I don't think we are too far apart and every meeting I've been to, they've been more productive.

"It's certainly not a stand-off ... certainly no rush to get it done."

[DIEHARD]

The idea of boycotting this game makes me sick. Reminds me of Super League mentality. I want more money for our players, but priority on the ones who aren't earning as much.

[GC_Titans_Fan]

Looks like the only ones pushing match boycotts is the media.

[DIEHARD]

Anyone going up? I'm tossing up between this and Titans trial. Haven't got tickets yet though.

[Hail Sezer]

Albert Kelly added to the mix..

[DIEHARD]

Bird, Idris set for Indigenous All Stars

iSelect Gold Coast Titans duo Greg Bird and Jamal Idris are among the leading contenders for the Indigenous All Stars with less than a week to go before voting closes.

Bird and Idris are both listed in the top 10 polling players for the Indigenous All Stars side, while new recruit David Taylor is the top-polling Titans representative ahead of Nate Myles for the NRL All Stars side.

Fans have less than a week to play selector for the 2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars with voting for both the NRL and Indigenous All Stars teams closing next Monday (January 14).

Almost 16,000 fans have already registered their selections at www.nrl.com/allstars for the 16 prized public-chosen spots in the 20-man squads for both teams for the fourth annual All Stars match to be played at Brisbane?s Suncorp Stadium on February 9.

Only one player from each club is eligible for Wayne Bennett?s NRL All Stars, while fans can choose from all of Rugby League?s best Indigenous talent for Laurie Daley?s Indigenous All Stars. The final squads will be announced in Brisbane on January 16.

?It is a really unique opportunity for the fans to get to decide who they want to see playing in this match, but there is only a few days left to get in and make their vote count ,? Daley said.

Top 10 in overall votes so far:

INDIGENOUS ALL STARS
1 - Greg Inglis - Rabbitohs
2 - Greg Bird - Titans
3 - Ben Barba - Bulldogs
4 - Tom Learoyd-Lahrs - Raiders
5 - Jamal Idris - Titans
6 - George Rose - Sea Eagles
7 - Andrew Fifita - Sharks
8 - Justin Hodges - Broncos
9 - Nathan Merritt - Rabbitohs
10 - Joel Thompson - Raiders

NRL ALL STARS
1 - Jarryd Hayne - Eels
2 - James Tamou - Cowboys
3 - Brett Morris - Dragons
4 - Paul Gallen - Sharks
5 - Akuila Uate - Knights
6 - Billy Slater - Storm
7 - Michael Jennings - Panthers
8 - Josh Morris - Bulldogs
9 - David Taylor - Titans
10 - Adam Reynolds - Rabbitohs

Following the closing of the public online voting on January 14, both coaches will be able to select additional bench players to complement the 16-man teams chosen by the public to make up a 20-man squad.

Bennett will select two extra players alongside automatic selections Benji Marshall (New Zealand captain) and Cameron Smith (Australian captain); while Daley will pick three extra players in addition to automatic selection and Indigenous All Stars captain Johnathan Thurston.

2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars Ticket Categories and Prices
Tickets for the 2013 Harvey Norman All Stars match are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au. New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849.

Categories Cat 1 Cat 2 Cat 3
Adult $90.00 $50.00 $20.00
Pensioner (Aged, War, TPI, Invalid & Disability) $80.00 $45.00 $18.00
Junior $70.00 $40.00 $16.00
Family (2A+2J) $265.00 $150.00 $60.00

The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars is supported by Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural, regional and business events across Queensland.

http://www.titans.com.au

[Leeroy]

Must admit I'm not happy that its on the same night as first trial match but would never miss these games. Still not happy about Suncorp bit will create more revenue for indigenous programs.
Luckily I will be at Redcliffe for Broncos trial and going to Mackay for Cowboys trial.

[Sydney Titans Fanatic]

unfortuantly it has always been on the day of one of our trials... Im pretty sure id choose all stars game and i have another 28 titans games through out the year i can go to

[DIEHARD]

HAVE YOU VOTED?: Less than 100 votes separate Gold Coast Titans players Nate Myles & Dave Taylor in NRL All Stars voting. Who would you like to see get selected?

Who is in your team? Vote today at http://bit.ly/OZDzJ5

[DIEHARD]

Billy Slater out of NRL All Stars match, replaced by Justin O'Neill

SITTING out All Stars game: Billy Slater in action Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

AUSTRALIAN, Queensland and Storm superstar Billy Slater has been ruled out of the NRL All Stars side because of ankle and shoulder injuries.

He is replaced by Melbourne young gun Justin O?Neill for the fourth annual clash against the Indigenous All Stars at Suncorp Stadium on February 9.

Slater's pre-season training has been hampered since aggravating an ankle injury and due to the removal of a plate in his shoulder from an injury sustained in the 2011 Four Nations Tour.

It's believed his withdrawal is not related to a PCL injury in his knee, which cut short his Origin campaign.

Slater went on to carry the injury right through the back end of the season, but still starred in Melbourne?s surge to the 2012 title.

Slater will continue on a modified program with the goal of being fit for the club?s World Club Challenge match on February 22 against Leeds Rhinos.

"It's disappointing Billy won?t be able to play, but I'm excited and honoured to be part of the NRL All Stars team and I?m looking forward to playing with and against some of the best players in the competition," O?Neill said.

"I have family living in Brisbane so it will be very special to play my first representative game in front of them."

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au

[DIEHARD]

All of these withdrawals is really dinting the All Stars.

I know some of it is unavoidable being so early in the season. And I guess I certainly do buy Slater and Gallen being injured.

[DIEHARD]

Shaun Johnson called into NRL All Stars

NRL All Stars Coach Wayne Bennett has chosen electrifying Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson to play with some of the game?s most outstanding talents in the 2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars in Brisbane next week.

Johnson, 22, received the call-up from Bennett today to replace injured champion Storm halfback and ?coach?s pick? Cooper Cronk in the fourth annual clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday week (February 9).

Cronk withdrew today because of a back injury. He will continue on a modified program with the goal of being fit for the club?s World Club Challenge match on February 22 against Leeds Rhinos.

A stunned Johnson, who?s heading into just his third NRL campaign, becomes the third Warriors player involved in this year?s match with Feleti Mateo alongside him on the NRL All Stars bench and new signing Dane Nielsen on the bench for the Indigenous All Stars.

?It?s all a bit surreal for me at the moment,? said the 38-game halfback.

?(Coach) Matt (Elliott) called me to let me know. It?s exciting. I?m really looking forward to the opportunity of playing alongside so many quality players and being in a side coached by Wayne Bennett. It?s a massive honour.?

http://www.nrl.com

[DIEHARD]

Just hope for a great game. At least Cronk replaced by a quality player and a Kiwi.

[TITAN PETE]

NRL.com Sat, Feb 02, 2013 - 12:20 PM


The NRL All Stars will trial three experimental rules at Suncorp Stadium on February 9 Copyright: NRL Photos


Quick taps and restarting the tackle count for ruck infringements will be among the experimental rules on show in the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars clash at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium next Saturday, February 9.

NRL General Manager of Football Operations, Mr Nathan McGuirk, said this year’s match would feature three experimental rules aimed at enhancing the attacking nature of the All Stars contest.

“The All Stars match is designed to provide fans with an attacking spectacle and it provides a great opportunity for us to trial some experimental rules,” Mr McGuirk said.

“These changes will certainly add to the speed of the game and also reward teams for attacking kicking.”

The experimental rules are:

Ruck Penalties

- For infringements in the ruck area by the defending team (holding down, leg pull, hand on ball etc.) which does not result in the breakdown of play (i.e. drop ball), the referee will indicate the infringement by blowing his whistle and signaling the infringement. The match referee will then immediately signal the restart of the tackle count which shall occur at the point of the infringement with a zero tackle.

- There will be no kick for touch for these infringements. Play will continue immediately from the point of the infringement via a play the ball.

- Any foul play in the ruck area by the defending team will result in a traditional penalty.

- Any infringement by the attacking team in the ruck area will result in a traditional penalty.

Quick Restarts

- This will see an extension of the quick restart from the 20m, with players allowed quick penalty tap kicks/restarts (apart from ruck penalties) from the point of the offence. Captains questioning decisions will be restricted to when they are in possession and scrums.

Restarts from Kicks

- For any attacking team that kicks the ball from the outside the opponents 30m line (30m from try line) and the ball goes dead in-goal, the opponent will receive the ball via a handover (tap restart) from the point where the kick originated once the match officials are in place.

The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural, regional and business events across Queensland.

[DIEHARD]

Watnough out Foran. Unprecedented number of withdrawals...

[Chaos]

Ruck Penalties -I love this rule...I've been calling for this a few years now and now small infringements wont turn the whole game around like it has been.

Quick Restarts -good idea but I don't know how they are going to determine when and when not to talk to the captains.

Restarts from Kicks -I don't fully understand what they are trying to do here...you will still get the same amounts of attacking kicks inside the thirty, which I feel we do too much...kicks from outside the thirty will be shortened making it easy for defending teams to make ground...I don't see the point in that...teams will now just put bombs up at the end of the set...making the game more of a lottery...we'll start losing the small, exciting fullbacks like Bowen and Barba.

[TITAN PETE]

Watnough out Foran. Unprecedented number of withdrawals...

I think the game is losing its appeal for a lot of players now, probably more their clubs encouraging them to pull out incase they break a nail :?)

[Chaos]

I think the game is losing its appeal for a lot of players now, probably more their clubs encouraging them to pull out incase they break a nail :?)

The timing wouldn't be helping the game...every club wanting to start the season off well and wouldn't want injuries.

[DIEHARD]

Most of the withdrawls have been from NRL and not Indigenous All Stars as well.

[TITAN PETE]

Foran called into All Stars

RSS
NRL.com Sun, Feb 03, 2013 - 9:00 AM



Kiwi international Kieran Foran will make his Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars debut next week after being called into the NRL All Stars side today on the eve of the team coming together at Coogee tomorrow.

The 22-year-old Manly five-eighth was chosen by NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett to replace his Sea Eagles teammate Anthony Watmough in the fourth annual clash at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday (February 9).

Watmough withdrew today because he had not fully recovered from knee surgery in December. Sea Eagles Medical Staff were not confident he could go the distance in the prestigious and intense Harvey Norman All Stars match.

“I was shocked to get the call today but I am thrilled to be part of the game and I can’t wait to get into camp with the team tomorrow,” said Foran, who has played 88 games with the 2011 Telstra Premiership-winning Sea Eagles.

[Chaos]

Bennett is choosing same exciting players...I think the game is starting get interesting again

[DIEHARD]

Gal out of NRL All Stars.

Im about to switch tribes here!

[TITAN PETE]

Gal out of NRL All Stars.

Im about to switch tribes here!

Well u were once a Donkeys supporter :rolleyes:

[DIEHARD]

Yuck. In my defence it was before Super League. I was born in Brisbane and I liked horses and Kevin Walters.

[Tamwelg]

Well u were once a Donkeys supporter :rolleyes:

Me too :cry: :doh: My old man and I started following them when they started in 1987, but in my defense I was only 10 back then, easily mislead :argue:

[Toads]

Well u were once a Donkeys supporter :rolleyes:

Bumma, how could you, Diehard? :laugh:

Admittedly I've admired some players over the years. But I could never bring myself to backin' the Donkies. It's been St George, Cowboy's, Titans (in that order) for me.

[TITAN PETE]

Bird hopes to be right for All Stars game

RSS
By Wayne Heming AAP Wed, Feb 06, 2013 - 6:46 PM

The Indigenous All Stars camp is hopeful Greg Bird won't become the latest big-name withdrawal following NRL enforcer Paul Gallen's scratching from Saturday night's season-opening extravaganza.

Bird is battling back spasms ahead of the Suncorp Stadium All Stars clash, the Gold Coast back-rower consigned to the massage table on Wednesday.

Cronulla ironman Gallen, who was recovering from a staph infection in his elbow when he entered the NRL All Stars camp, was replaced by his new Sharks teammate Chris Heighington after being unable to shrug off a niggling quad injury and failing to get through training on Wednesday morning.

The exhibition match has already lost a swag of big names due to injury, with Gallen joining the likes of Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Anthony Watmough, Dave Taylor and Sam Thaiday as high-profile withdrawals from the contest.

The Indigenous camp wasn't giving too much away about Bird's condition, though it is believed his stint on the massage table was precautionary and that he would be right to dish out his physical pain as usual on Saturday night.

Heighington is the eighth debutant in Wayne Bennett's revised All Stars squad.

But the former Wests Tigers back-rower and English international has the advantage of having played most of his 200 NRL games alongside captain Benji Marshall and hooker Robbie Farah.

"Gal was disappointed," said NRL All Stars assistant coach Brad Fittler.

"He came into camp with a quad injury thinking if he gave it a few days' rest and then trained (it would be fine), but it hasn't come good.

"He's also had a recent elbow operation and got an infection and had a recent (charity) fight in New Zealand so, all and all, I think it's a wise decision not to play this weekend.

"Chris is a good player and good fella - he'll fit in quickly."

Heighington said while it was an unfortunate way to get a start, he was excited about his call up.

"All Stars is a great event and I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the game," he said.

Indigenous All Stars centre Justin Hodges did his best to hide his smile when told Gallen had been ruled out of the clash.

The veteran Brisbane centre joked that once news filtered through that Gallen was out, his NSW "bruise brother" Bird had suddenly started "walking just fine".

"Of course it (Gallen's withdrawal) helps," said Hodges.

"Gal's a great player, he's one of those guys you look to when things are tough and one of those guys that always stands up."

[DIEHARD]

Bird will play. Because he plays for the Indigenous All Stars.

[Titanic]

Prince swinging arm busts Harrison's nose.

[gothabull]

ryan james looking the goods

[Titanic]

agree ... James looks sharp

[gothabull]

princes kick was well short lol

[Boofhead]

Try assist to prince there!

[Titanic]

Yep, he looks in Titan-esque form.

[Titanic]

I hope Bird can look outside for us. I should hope that Cartwright stops the inside ball bs.

[Coaster]

I can not stand even looking at Prince

[Titanic]

Harrison knees Bird in the head ... must be p1ssed missing the captaincy.

[Titanic]

HT - our young guys certainly aren't being disgraced. James looks really but short of a gallop and Sezer is sharp ... his pick-up off a Thurston bullet was great. Also he replaced Prince ... love it. Bird seems to like that roving commission whereas Harrison is just the same one-dimensional workhorse and probably not suited to this type of match.

[Julius Sezer]

Bird looks to be in great touch.

[Julius Sezer]

that was some nice footwork from James.

[Titanic]

he's given the last 2 penalties

[Chaos]

he's given 2 penalties

He give that last penalty on purpose to get his players back on side...smart attempt because it was the zero tackle.
I've only seen the last quarter but looks like James is the only one that wants to tackle Tamou

[Titanic]

he's had a really good dig

[Julius Sezer]

Sezer is shining now. Puts in a good kick for a line dropout and now offloads to create a try. He is looking good. Really excited for this season! Sezer how looked much better with the limited game time he has had compared to Adam Reynolds.

[Chaos]

The queensland spine of Thurston, Prince and Barba was the main difference between the two sides...they complimented each other..
The allstars halves looked disjointed.

[Chaos]

Sezer is shining now. Puts in a good kick for a line dropout and now offloads to create a try. He is looking good. Really excited for this season! Sezer how looked much better with the limited game time he has had compared to Adam Reynolds.

He still has a lot to learn if he wants to be a second receiver...Thurston and Prince position themselves better, put the right plays on for what defense is in front and time the pass a lot better.

[Julius Sezer]

He still has a lot to learn if he wants to be a second receiver...Thurston and Prince position themselves better, put the right plays on for what defense is in front and time the pass a lot better.

Of course fluidity would be an issue because Sezer was on for about 20mins. Prince's experience will always overshadow Sezer in the positioning department. Sezer will learn and get better.

[Julius Sezer]

But Prince did time some passes poorly. But Thurston and Prince looked great together. Outstanding combination with Barba coming from the back and Inglis out wide.

[Chaos]

The halve-5/8 combination is vital and thats what Prince and Thurston had.
I'm still learning towards Sezer at 7 for Titans and Kelly at second receiver.