2013 All Stars in Brisbane

[TITAN PETE]

Bird hopes to be right for All Stars game

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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