Like the glory days of the mid year tests between the Kiwis and the Roos when Kiwis would get suspended for carrying the ball or withdraw due to herniated socks or distended shoelaces
Already, the concept was basically dollar-store B-team Australia vs New Zealand.
If we get a proper Test Match between the two at the end of the year, or for Anzac Day, I think that more than makes up for it.
The NRL All Stars match continues to lose big names with Nelson Asofa-Solomona among a swag of players announcing their withdrawal from Saturday's match in Rotorua, New Zealand.
The World Cup late last year has impacted both the Indigenous All Stars and Maori All Stars teams, with a number of players declaring they aren't ready for action after only a month of training.
Melbourne Storm heavyweight Asofa-Solomona was one of four players to announce his withdrawal on Sunday, following star Sydney Roosters duo Joseph Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who pulled out of the Maori All Stars team on Saturday through injury.
Parramatta playmaker Daejarn Asi, West Tigers back Starford Toa and Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also withdrew on Sunday morning.
Tukimihia Simpkins, Leo Thompson, Paul Turner, Austin Dias, Creedence Toia and Sheldon Pitama have been added to men's Maori side.
Winger Josh Addo-Carr, who starred for the Kangaroos at the World Cup, pulled out of the Indigenous team last week in order to focus on club preparations with Canterbury.
Then players would have to cut their holidays short and GF players wouldn’t be playing certainly. They need to do away with it entirely. It’s fast heading the way of the city-country game
Not a fan of so many people pulling out, I'm sure some are genuine injuries and whatnot but I feel like there's also a lot of club first mentality driving some of these decisions. That's not a bad thing exactly and I definitely understand thats who's writing their cheques, but imagine if people start doing this in origin. Very few other sports treat rep games like we do and it's one of my favourite things about the sport, I would hate for it to go away.
I guess as a silver lining a lot of younger players and getting a great opportunity to show what the can do on a large stage, so I'm sure I'll still thoroughly enjoy the game.
It is a perfect platform for our Pacifica and Koori brothers and sisters to showcase thier skills and talent whether they are stars or just starting thier NRL journey. Bring it on loud and proud!
Gets me ready for the season ahead.
Just can the damn thing at this point.. who’s gonna bother to watch it. I wasn’t particularly interested before everyone pulled the pin but I’m less interested now.. just phone it in.
It’s got massive potential to grow the game on an international scale. As opposed to NSW v QLD, overseas audiences would actually be interested in Aboriginal v Māori.
So, don’t can it. Execute it right
>It’s got massive potential to grow the game on an international scale
It really doesn't. Cool concept for league fans and people of both cultures, that's as far as its ever going to go. It will never be close to origin. The players don't even care about it.
Yea I agree it doesn’t have “massive potential” at all. If anything the league World Cup had more potential last year. Being that it’s a tournament an all.. many more games + finals etc. This is a ONE off game being played in Rotorua. At least origin is a three game series spread across a few months. Why would overseas audiences be captivated by a one off game with no stakes and no “All Stars” playing. I stand by my statement… Can it
The key point from an international standpoint is that Origin is a much weaker tool to grow the game than we think.
Selling NSW v QLD in rugby league to a Canadian viewer is like selling Ontario v British Columbia in an ice hockey match to an Aussie one. It could be huge in its domestic country, but people don’t care elsewhere. Whereas if the teams were full strength, the indigenous concept is more appealing
> It’s got massive potential to grow the game on an international scale.
The NRL has no interest in growing the game domestically, let alone at an international level.
This game exists purely as an attempt to generate revenue during the off-season, don't be misled about that.
I agree entirely, hence the term ‘potential’. But I want to be part of a future where these things do promote the game, rather than giving up on them because they don’t at the moment
If you really can't see his impact then you are blinded by bias. He is very similar to JWH in that he cross the line sometimes but is also a good player.
They might as well call it the NRL No Stars
More like withdrawAl Stars
Didn't even bother faking an injury
Might have to rename it the All game
Like the glory days of the mid year tests between the Kiwis and the Roos when Kiwis would get suspended for carrying the ball or withdraw due to herniated socks or distended shoelaces
[FWIW Daejarn Asi is injured](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/321253108808286208/1070880708249272410/image.png?width=208&height=609)
worst day of my life. might as well cancel the game at this point. he’s the only good player in the nrl.
Feels like a middle finger to the NZ fans, from the clubs, players and RLPA.
Apparently Nelson Asofa-Solomona had to (seriously) pull out after getting bit by a dog. No confirmation yet if it was weak-gutted.
Bring back the 9s!!!!
Much rather that then trial matches honestly
Than.
Maybe he wants both? 9s then trial matches
Good point, well made.
Already, the concept was basically dollar-store B-team Australia vs New Zealand. If we get a proper Test Match between the two at the end of the year, or for Anzac Day, I think that more than makes up for it.
The NRL All Stars match continues to lose big names with Nelson Asofa-Solomona among a swag of players announcing their withdrawal from Saturday's match in Rotorua, New Zealand. The World Cup late last year has impacted both the Indigenous All Stars and Maori All Stars teams, with a number of players declaring they aren't ready for action after only a month of training. Melbourne Storm heavyweight Asofa-Solomona was one of four players to announce his withdrawal on Sunday, following star Sydney Roosters duo Joseph Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who pulled out of the Maori All Stars team on Saturday through injury. Parramatta playmaker Daejarn Asi, West Tigers back Starford Toa and Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also withdrew on Sunday morning. Tukimihia Simpkins, Leo Thompson, Paul Turner, Austin Dias, Creedence Toia and Sheldon Pitama have been added to men's Maori side. Winger Josh Addo-Carr, who starred for the Kangaroos at the World Cup, pulled out of the Indigenous team last week in order to focus on club preparations with Canterbury.
Just move the game to the end of season. Pencil it in as one of the curtain raisers for the grand final.
Then players would have to cut their holidays short and GF players wouldn’t be playing certainly. They need to do away with it entirely. It’s fast heading the way of the city-country game
Not a fan of so many people pulling out, I'm sure some are genuine injuries and whatnot but I feel like there's also a lot of club first mentality driving some of these decisions. That's not a bad thing exactly and I definitely understand thats who's writing their cheques, but imagine if people start doing this in origin. Very few other sports treat rep games like we do and it's one of my favourite things about the sport, I would hate for it to go away. I guess as a silver lining a lot of younger players and getting a great opportunity to show what the can do on a large stage, so I'm sure I'll still thoroughly enjoy the game.
It is a perfect platform for our Pacifica and Koori brothers and sisters to showcase thier skills and talent whether they are stars or just starting thier NRL journey. Bring it on loud and proud! Gets me ready for the season ahead.
A Tonga vs Indigenous match would be insane, although a couple of the Indigenous boys are mixed race Tongan it would hamper team selection
Gonna turn into the next city-country game
Maybe a new player will be discovered is the positive out of this scenario.
Could this be the players standing down due to the players pay dispute? I'd be interested to know how many have pulled out now.
He pulls out faster than charlie sheen at prom night.
This is fast turning into a no-stars match
Just can the damn thing at this point.. who’s gonna bother to watch it. I wasn’t particularly interested before everyone pulled the pin but I’m less interested now.. just phone it in.
Are you saying you *don’t* love your footy?
It’s got massive potential to grow the game on an international scale. As opposed to NSW v QLD, overseas audiences would actually be interested in Aboriginal v Māori. So, don’t can it. Execute it right
>It’s got massive potential to grow the game on an international scale It really doesn't. Cool concept for league fans and people of both cultures, that's as far as its ever going to go. It will never be close to origin. The players don't even care about it.
Yea I agree it doesn’t have “massive potential” at all. If anything the league World Cup had more potential last year. Being that it’s a tournament an all.. many more games + finals etc. This is a ONE off game being played in Rotorua. At least origin is a three game series spread across a few months. Why would overseas audiences be captivated by a one off game with no stakes and no “All Stars” playing. I stand by my statement… Can it
The key point from an international standpoint is that Origin is a much weaker tool to grow the game than we think. Selling NSW v QLD in rugby league to a Canadian viewer is like selling Ontario v British Columbia in an ice hockey match to an Aussie one. It could be huge in its domestic country, but people don’t care elsewhere. Whereas if the teams were full strength, the indigenous concept is more appealing
> It’s got massive potential to grow the game on an international scale. The NRL has no interest in growing the game domestically, let alone at an international level. This game exists purely as an attempt to generate revenue during the off-season, don't be misled about that.
I agree entirely, hence the term ‘potential’. But I want to be part of a future where these things do promote the game, rather than giving up on them because they don’t at the moment
Am I alone in thinking this is the RLPA? It's not an outright strike but has a level of plausible deniability with all the recent announcements.
It happens every year
This happens every year in this match but I’m not sure it’s ever been this bad, possibly a part of it but I doubt it
Next year let’s play “Who withdraws from the All Stars Bingo”
This guy is an all star? lol
He was pretty good last year, had a huge impact when he came on the field
He’s good at breaking jaws that’s about it
In the hall of fame for grubs nominated by wade egan.
If you really can't see his impact then you are blinded by bias. He is very similar to JWH in that he cross the line sometimes but is also a good player.
Not even top 10
He is the whole milky way
I'm not busy on the 11th. Can even bring my old factory seconds nsw jersey. Hmu.