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Plan for historic clash between Indigenous side and NRL All Stars team
By Dean Ritchie | April 28, 2009
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25395495-5006066,00.html
MATT Bowen v Billy Slater. Greg Inglis v Michael Jennings. Scott Prince v Darren Lockyer. A one-off game of rugby league featuring these match-ups could become a reality under a proposal for an historic clash between an Indigenous side and an NRL All Stars team.
The plan, to be tabled at today's NRL chief executives meeting, could generate up to $2million.
Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle is behind the plan to play the match on the eve of Australia Day next January at Skilled Park, with profits to be filtered into Aboriginal education programs and mentoring.
The proposal would include one player from each NRL team to comprise the All Stars, with the 17th player to come from Toyota Cup.
Both would pick powerhouse sides in what would be a spectacular rugby league showpiece event.
The teams would be picked online by fans, with selectors not involved.
The plan came after Searle talked to Titans star Preston Campbell, who played in the Indigenous Dreamtime side that confronted the New Zealand Maori in a match before last year's World Cup, winning 34-26.
"Preston said it would be incredible to represent your country but how amazing it was to represent your people," Searle said. "I have had feedback from Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis and they like the idea.
"It would also give the game a new revenue stream. 10 per cent of players in the NRL are indigenous.
"The game would be a great way to kick off Australia Day celebrations."
Searle said he would have "no problem" obtaining television rights and sponsorship and even felt confident of government funding.
The All Stars could field a team including Billy Slater, Manu Vatuvei, Darren Lockyer and Roy Asotasi, while the Indigenous side could run Greg Inglis, Scott Prince, Justin Hodges, Matt Bowen and Johnathan Thurston.
English-born Wests Tigers second-rower Gareth Ellis would give the game a Super League flavour.
Former Australian captain and Fox Sports commentator Laurie Daley could be the Indigenous coach.
"I'd love to be involved -- it sounds like a great initiative," said Daley, whose grandmother was Aboriginal.
The CEOs will meet this morning in Penrith with other issues to be discussed including crowds, television ratings, player behaviour, two referees and a possible pre-season competition next season. Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart joined Manly's Des Hasler in calling for the two-referee system to be reviewed immediately.
But NRL officials claim the change has been a success and that two referees will continue.
By Dean Ritchie | April 28, 2009
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25395495-5006066,00.html
MATT Bowen v Billy Slater. Greg Inglis v Michael Jennings. Scott Prince v Darren Lockyer. A one-off game of rugby league featuring these match-ups could become a reality under a proposal for an historic clash between an Indigenous side and an NRL All Stars team.
The plan, to be tabled at today's NRL chief executives meeting, could generate up to $2million.
Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle is behind the plan to play the match on the eve of Australia Day next January at Skilled Park, with profits to be filtered into Aboriginal education programs and mentoring.
The proposal would include one player from each NRL team to comprise the All Stars, with the 17th player to come from Toyota Cup.
Both would pick powerhouse sides in what would be a spectacular rugby league showpiece event.
The teams would be picked online by fans, with selectors not involved.
The plan came after Searle talked to Titans star Preston Campbell, who played in the Indigenous Dreamtime side that confronted the New Zealand Maori in a match before last year's World Cup, winning 34-26.
"Preston said it would be incredible to represent your country but how amazing it was to represent your people," Searle said. "I have had feedback from Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis and they like the idea.
"It would also give the game a new revenue stream. 10 per cent of players in the NRL are indigenous.
"The game would be a great way to kick off Australia Day celebrations."
Searle said he would have "no problem" obtaining television rights and sponsorship and even felt confident of government funding.
The All Stars could field a team including Billy Slater, Manu Vatuvei, Darren Lockyer and Roy Asotasi, while the Indigenous side could run Greg Inglis, Scott Prince, Justin Hodges, Matt Bowen and Johnathan Thurston.
English-born Wests Tigers second-rower Gareth Ellis would give the game a Super League flavour.
Former Australian captain and Fox Sports commentator Laurie Daley could be the Indigenous coach.
"I'd love to be involved -- it sounds like a great initiative," said Daley, whose grandmother was Aboriginal.
The CEOs will meet this morning in Penrith with other issues to be discussed including crowds, television ratings, player behaviour, two referees and a possible pre-season competition next season. Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart joined Manly's Des Hasler in calling for the two-referee system to be reviewed immediately.
But NRL officials claim the change has been a success and that two referees will continue.
