Indigenous All Stars Vs Who?

[Perth Red]

It wont be on next year due to the World Cup but when or if it returns, we are hopeful of having both teams at full strength. Unfortunately we'd probably have the same issues with big name players pulling out with niggling injuries or being told to rest.

Sandwiched between the nines and the WCC games its not surprising players aren't available. NRL needs to decide what it wants its emphasis on and focus on that. At moment there are too many competing pre season events.

 

[2 weeks]

Indigenous all-stars vs Maori/Pacific island sounds great on paper. But it goes against what the vision of the event was about. The event was both a chance to celebrate indigenous culture and Show it off to the wider community. It was designed so players had a week of charity work and cultural events. The game was played in the spirit of reconciliation, everyone coming together. That's why both teams take their team photo together, and hug after the war dance. It's supposed to bring indigenous and non-indigenous Australia together through common interests, in this case its football. If it becomes a vs Maori thing then the game becomes a side show instead of a main event. It loses the Australiansess of the event. Instead of indigenous sharing their culture to other Australians it becomes indigenous and Maori cultures keeping thing's amongst themselves.if it becomes a Vs Maori thing then eventually half the games are played in new Zealand. What is the Point of our indigenous team playing in new zealand. It would really lose even more if the event went down that route

It's too one-sided in the current format IMO

What do the fans who support the All Stars celebrate?

Am i racist if i cheer against the Indigenous all-stars?

 

[adamkungl]

It loses the Australiansess of the event. Instead of indigenous sharing their culture to other Australians it becomes indigenous and Maori cultures keeping thing's amongst themselves.

Disagree. The crowd is only there to see the Indigenous side carve up imo. The crowd is more important than the players, in terms of sharing their culture with 'other Australians'. It would be a celebration of two indigenous cultures in Rugby League, and players and people would care more.

If it loses some 'Australian-ness' its a worthwhile sacrifice for me.

 

[DiegoNT]

It's too one-sided in the current format IMO

What do the fans who support the All Stars celebrate?

Am i racist if i cheer against the Indigenous all-stars?

Why can't you Just cheer on good footy and a good show?

 

[DiegoNT]

Disagree. The crowd is only there to see the Indigenous side carve up imo. The crowd is more important than the players, in terms of sharing their culture with 'other Australians'. It would be a celebration of two indigenous cultures in Rugby League, and players and people would care more.

If it loses some 'Australian-ness' its a worthwhile sacrifice for me.

And how can those indigenous fans cheer on the game if it's in new Zealand?

 

[Perth Red]

It's too one-sided in the current format IMO

What do the fans who support the All Stars celebrate?

Am i racist if i cheer against the Indigenous all-stars?

They celebrate footy being a great opportunity to bring the different cultures of Australia together under one banner. To celebrate the role the original inhabitants have played and continue to play, to learn something about their rich culture and recognise their place in a modern Australia. I don't think you have to be a fan of either team, just a footy fan who wants to celebrate the role the game can play in Australia.

I didn't care about the result, enjoyed the footy and the indigenous cultural opening to the game, enjoyed hearing the anthem in an aboriginal language and enjoyed the aboriginal squad dance/haka and especially the warm greeting between the squads at the end of it.

 

[2 weeks]

Why can't you Just cheer on good footy and a good show?

When i watch a game of footy i generally choose a side to support

Like when i gamble i choose a horse, number etc

I understand what the All Stars concept was invented for it's just not inclusive for a part of the population

It raises too many questions for the neutrals

 

[2 weeks]

They celebrate footy being a great opportunity to bring the different cultures of Australia together under one banner. To celebrate the role the original inhabitants have played and continue to play, to learn something about their rich culture and recognise their place in a modern Australia. I don't think you have to be a fan of either team, just a footy fan who wants to celebrate the role the game can play in Australia.

I didn't care about the result, enjoyed the footy and the indigenous cultural opening to the game, enjoyed hearing the anthem in an aboriginal language and enjoyed the aboriginal squad dance/haka and especially the warm greeting between the squads at the end of it.

I enjoyed all those things you mentioned too, but the fact of the matter is that a sporting contest needs at least 2 opponents & in this case only 1 is being catered for

 

[adamkungl]

And how can those indigenous fans cheer on the game if it's in new Zealand?

Every second year, or on TV, like the millions of people who watch the game do most weeks..

Since JT or Inglis (dont remember specifically who) has suggested the team could tour overseas, should they not because a few thousand home fans won't be able to attend?

 

[Perth Red]

What's not inclusive about it? its for RL fans, this means its inclusive of anyone whose a RL fan!

If it was Indigenous v Maori I would probably feel less included as it would have less relevance to Australia, but as a RL fan still enjoy the spectacle as I do watching Tonga v Samoa for example

 

[DiegoNT]

When i watch a game of footy i generally choose a side to support

Like when i gamble i choose a horse, number etc

I understand what the All Stars concept was invented for it's just not inclusive for a part of the population

It raises too many questions for the neutrals

Which is why the vote for the team was a big part of the early success. It gave people a stake in the new team. It gave players another reason to play. To be chosen by the fans was a big honour as was being the overall top vote
Getter (I believe Hayne was the first one to get that, and because fans voted him in over Slater and Stewart it gave him motivation to play).

 

[adamkungl]

What's not inclusive about it? its for RL fans, this means its inclusive of anyone whose a RL fan!

If it was Indigenous v Maori I would probably feel less included as it would have less relevance to Australia, but as a RL fan still enjoy the spectacle as I do watching Tonga v Samoa for example

I think those games get more interest from the average joe than the World All Stars do. Like I said, I think everyone's there to see the Indigenous side.

 

[2 weeks]

What's not inclusive about it? its for RL fans, this means its inclusive of anyone whose a RL fan!

If it was Indigenous v Maori I would probably feel less included as it would have less relevance to Australia, but as a RL fan still enjoy the spectacle as I do watching Tonga v Samoa for example

Only one team's culture is celebrated, the other pretty much ignored

That is not inclusive in my book

 

[2 weeks]

Which is why the vote for the team was a big part of the early success. It gave people a stake in the new team. It gave players another reason to play. To be chosen by the fans was a big honour as was being the overall top vote
Getter (I believe Hayne was the first one to get that, and because fans voted him in over Slater and Stewart it gave him motivation to play).

I don't think we are on the same wave length

 

[DiegoNT]

The turning point for the event was the introduction of the 9s. The NRL has done everything to favour the 9s. Even forcing clubs to send 2 of their highest 5 paid players. Yet they allow clubs to send maranta to the all-stars. And despite this the Auckland 9s has been losing big chunks of crowds and TV viewers each year, while a weakened all-stars still attracts the fans. If the 2018 9s is a failure then the nrl should scrap it and again focus on the all-stars and make it a true all-stars events again

 

[myrrh ken]

I get what 2 weeks is saying.

While I understand what that maori v aborginals has a bit of our natives v their natives, but in fact all Australians will get behind them. Just like all NZs would probably get behing the maori.

At the moment, non-indig people are a bit confused as to who to support. They look at the world all stars and see a few non-indig Australians and a bloke from my team.

 

[unforgiven]

It is not really an argument. It is easy to see and understand that there is a level of enthusiasm and support for the game. Particularly among some of the high profile indigenous players.

It is equally easy to see that raced based selection is controversial. There is no need to be so obtuse on this issue.

The real test is thinking about what other race based discrimination you find tolerable.

It is not race base discrimination, who has been discriminated against?

 

[unforgiven]

Only one team's culture is celebrated, the other pretty much ignored

That is not inclusive in my book

Do you feel discriminated against? I feel the same when I'm not allowed to play in the gay rugby league team, because I'm not gay.

If anyone can tell me who is genuinely being discriminated against I'd appreciate it.

 

[Perth Red]

The turning point for the event was the introduction of the 9s. The NRL has done everything to favour the 9s. Even forcing clubs to send 2 of their highest 5 paid players. Yet they allow clubs to send maranta to the all-stars. And despite this the Auckland 9s has been losing big chunks of crowds and TV viewers each year, while a weakened all-stars still attracts the fans. If the 2018 9s is a failure then the nrl should scrap it and again focus on the all-stars and make it a true all-stars events again

Not really true, Nines crowds dropped this year only, likewise All stars game crowds have dropped significantly since its Suncorp days

I do agree thought that the NRL needs to deicde what pre season events it wants and make them as good as possible

Its not about supporting a side but about supporting an event that raises awareness and celebrates how both global and local our game is.

 

[Jetka100]

Sport is about passion. There is no real logical reason why we enjoy watching grown men chasing a ball around the park but we are thrilled by the competitiveness and the combat. When one side and its fans has not much desire, sooner or later it loses that essential ingredient that makes grand finals and state of Origin so compelling. We want a team to love and we also want a team to hate.