NRL All Stars voting: Who did you choose?

[AuDragon]

So make it an Indiginous only game. It's not like they don't have some big names to draw a big crowd on their own. Maybe Redfern v QLD?

So it's okay for one of the Indigenous players to suffer a season ending injury? :roll:
And the reason why the game matters so much to them, is because they are playing against non indigenous people.

 

[Doug2234]

Dragons Pair Named In NRL All-Stars Squad



19/01/2012 1:20:00 PM

St George Illawarra Dragons duo Jason Nightingale and Ben Hornby will both have the opportunity to make their respective NRL All-Stars debuts after being named in Head Coach Wayne Bennett’s 20-man squad on Thursday.
Dragons ‘Player of the Year’ Jason Nightingale overcame stiff competition from teammates Matt Cooper, Ben Creagh and Michael Weyman to prove the overall popular choice amongst Red V Members and supporters and cement his name for the match at Skilled Park, Gold Coast on February 4.
The New Zealand international is excited by Bennett’s decision to name Hornby as one of his two coach’s player selections and has heaped praise on the Dragons captain’s versatility on the field.
“It’s pretty exciting news to be part of such a great occassion,” said Nightingale.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity of playing for the NRL All-Stars against the Indigenous All-Stars and glad to be a part of it.
“It’s the icing on top of the cake for all the hard-work I’ve put in last season, as I’m sure everyone else named in the squad can relate to, and to be involved in the celebration of rugby league.
“It’s also great news as I know Wayne has two selections and he couldn’t have picked a more all-rounder football player than Ben,” said Nightingale
“I’m pretty sure that was the reason why he was picked as he’s versatile and won’t let the team down.
“I think the game overall will be a lot more flashier than what is usually seen as the NRL All-Stars games are always fast and entertaining.”


http://www.dragons.com.au/default.a...367&dragons-pair-named-in-nrl-all-stars-squad

I picked Nightingale for Saints. not so sure about the coach's selection of Hornby however...

 

[joshie]

Rugby League > no rugby league

so I cannot wait until this game.

 

[Doug2234]

NRL All Stars team announced

NRL.com Thu, Jan 19, 2012 - 1:30 PM

Jason Nightingale is one of the debutantes for the NRL All Stars Copyright: Action Photos



NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett has sprung his first selection surprise of the season naming Dragons captain Ben Hornby, along with newly appointed Panthers skipper Luke Lewis, as his two “coach’s selections” in the 2012 NRL All Stars side announced today.
Almost 30,000 Rugby League fans have had their say via two online voting stages to select a representative from each of the 16 NRL clubs in the 20-man squad, which includes 10 NRL All Stars debutants. The 2012 NRL All Stars team for the 2012 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars game on February 4 at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast is:

Josh Dugan (Canberra Raiders)
Jason Nightingale* (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Jack Reed* (Brisbane Broncos)
Michael Jennings (Penrith Panthers)
Manu Vatuvei (Warriors)
Benji Marshall - Captain (Wests Tigers) #
Cooper Cronk* (Melbourne Storm)
Kade Snowden* (Newcastle Knights)
Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm) #
Luke Bailey (Gold Coast Titans)
Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels)
David Taylor (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)

Interchange:
Adam Blair (Wests Tigers)
Frank Pritchard* (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves* (Sydney Roosters)
Tony Williams* (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
Brent Tate* (North Queensland Cowboys)

Coach's Selections:
Luke Lewis* (Penrith Panthers)
Ben Hornby* (St George Illawarra Dragons

* NRL All Stars debutants
# Automatic selection

NSW and Sharks captain Paul Gallen was again the most popular player, gaining over 8000 votes to be the public favourite for the second successive year, finishing 333 votes ahead of debutant Cooper Cronk.

This final stage of voting, which closed at midnight last night, also saw the closest margin in the three-year history of All Stars deliver a fairytale “representative” comeback to the Cowboys’ former international Brent Tate with a spot on the interchange bench.

Tate, who pipped team-mate Dallas Johnson by just two votes for the one North Queensland spot, was almost forced into retirement in November 2010 when he underwent his third knee reconstruction following his injury in the Four Nations Final.

Hornby’s selection also marks a fairytale return to the representative stage, with Bennett selecting him from outside of the 64-man shortlist (four players from each club) chosen by the public in December.

Bennett also delivered a lifeline to Lewis, who was set to be in the team until Wests Tigers centre Chris Lawrence withdrew on Monday. This saw the next highest-ranked centre, Michael Jennings, replace Lawrence and take up the one Panthers spot in the public voting stage.

The public had to choose only one player from each of the 16 NRL Clubs in position to join automatic selections Benji Marshall and Cameron Smith and two coach’s picks to make up the 20-man squad as announced today in Sydney. Bennett was joined by Marshall and All Stars debutant Waerea-Hargreaves at the announcement to reveal the exciting line-up.

“The fans have selected a great team for me to work with but to balance out an interchange bench that is well-stocked with forwards, I wanted to include a player like Ben Hornby who gives me some insurance in the halves and at fullback,” Bennett said.

“Ben is someone who has never let me down in my three years coaching him at the Dragons and is perfectly suited to All Stars.

“Likewise Luke Lewis is another very experienced utility player who will give me a number of options. He represents everything that is good about the game and deserves a spot in the team.”

If one of the NRL All Stars players announced today 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.

Over 45,000 Rugby League fans took part in the voting for both the NRL All Stars and Learn Earn Legend! Indigenous All Stars teams.

“The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars is a match that everyone in Rugby League takes great pride in, because it is a match which everyone contributes to - the players, the clubs, the fans,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.

“It is a game that stands for so much more than a result. To be a part of this team is to be acknowledged by the game’s fans and to play alongside and against some of the biggest names in Rugby League.

“I congratulate everyone today who is selected to be a part of the 2012 NRL All Stars.”

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh welcomed the announcement of the NRL All Stars team today: “Congratulations to the 2012 NRL All Stars team set to compete in an event which brings one of the most exciting exhibition matches to the Gold Coast.

“What a great honour to play in the 2012 NRL All Stars jersey which displays the heartfelt message “We Play Tonight in Your Honour” in tribute to Rugby League legend Arthur Beetson.

“Queenslanders are proud of their Rugby League heritage with last year’s Rugby League All Stars match drawing a sell-out crowd of 26,000 – which is great for the Gold Coast tourism industry, supporting local businesses and jobs.

“That is why the Queensland Government, through Events Queensland, is proud to continue supporting this unique match which brings together Rugby League’s best Indigenous and non-Indigenous players.”

The 2012 Learn Earn Legend! Indigenous All Stars team, named in December, is:
Johnathan Thurston (c), Ben Barba, Jharal Yow Yeh, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Nathan Merritt, Chris Sandow, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Travis Waddell, George Rose, Sam Thaiday, Jamal Idris, Greg Bird, Andrew Fifita, Cory Paterson, Matthew Bowen, Scott Prince, Anthony Mitchell, Joel Thompson and Nathan Peats.

 

[Tiger_Gold]

WTF Ben hornby????

Choice of any player in the NRL and he picks Ben Hornby

 

[joshie]

YES! Cronk should finally get everything he deserves this year - Rep Spots galore

 

[cleary89]

Big bench... Imagine if Johnson got the nod over Tate.

 

[skeepe]

Once again, Dugan > Hayne.

 

[sputneek]

is Gidley injured?

 

[Tiger_Gold]

Once again, Dugan > Hayne.

tbh Hayne has more competition at the Eels for votes than Dugan does at the raiders.
who the hell else would get picked from Canberra

 

[Mr Angry]

Once again Paul Gallen > All

 

[firechild]

So it's okay for one of the Indigenous players to suffer a season ending injury? :roll:

If they want to play an exhibition game to raise awareness of Indigneous issues and get all the support for Indigenous communities, then yes.

I also think the premiers should be excempt from selection (would reduce the numbers which is better with 15 clubs represented plus 2 national captains = 17) as they have to play the WCC not long after.

 

[campbo]

Ben Hornby? WTF???!! Was Wayne Bennett not quoted last week saying that his 2 selections would come from within the 64 players shortlisted? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Hornby was not one of the 4 Dragons players on the shortlist.

 

[I bleed blue & gold]

tbh Hayne has more competition at the Eels for votes than Dugan does at the raiders.
who the hell else would get picked from Canberra

I can't believe Dane Tilse did not get a look in tbh.

 

[Hutty1986]

Ben Hornby? WTF???!! Was Wayne Bennett not quoted last week saying that his 2 selections would come from within the 64 players shortlisted? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Hornby was not one of the 4 Dragons players on the shortlist.

Coach choice, one of 2. Terrific selection and a just reward for an outstanding career

 

[Tiger_Gold]

I can't believe Dane Tilse did not get a look in tbh.

Yeah.
I think Shillington is massively overrated

Coach choice, one of 2. Terrific selection and a just reward for an outstanding career

Hornby is a ridiculous selection, in a team of 20 you don't need a utility, especially one who at best is mediocre in a couple of positions

 

[mxlegend99]

Pumped to see Luke Lewis get one of the spots from Wayne Bennett. But shocked to see Ben Hornby get the other.

Would have much rathered Hayne or Gidley as a second utility choice from Wayne Bennett.

 

[joshie]

If they want to play an exhibition game to raise awareness of Indigneous issues and get all the support for Indigenous communities, then yes.

I also think the premiers should be excempt from selection (would reduce the numbers which is better with 15 clubs represented plus 2 national captains = 17) as they have to play the WCC not long after.

then some players would have a big cry, i think they should get a choice tbh if they want to play or not

 

[I bleed blue & gold]

Pumped to see Luke Lewis get one of the spots from Wayne Bennett. But shocked to see Ben Hornby get the other.

Would have much rathered Hayne or Gidley as a second utility choice from Wayne Bennett.

Lewis deserves to be in the side 100%

 

[Godz Illa]

Congrats to the Hornbag. Nice little cherry on top of a marvellous career spanning over 200 games including a premiership, Origin selection, Test selection and of course captaining the greatest club in rugby league. Truly one of our game's legends.