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NRL All Stars team
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The NRL All Stars team was a rugby league football team made up of professional players in the National Rugby League. These players were selected by fan vote. However, fans were only allowed to select one player from each NRL team to join the Australian rugby league team captain and the New Zealand national rugby league team captain. Two other players were selected by the NRL All Stars coach. This team played in the annual NRL All Stars Game against the Indigenous All Stars. They were replaced in 2016 by a World All Stars.
Key Information
History
[edit]The first NRL All Stars team was assembled in 2010 All Stars Match to play against the Indigenous All Stars on 13 February. After a tight game the Indigenous All Stars won due to a last minute try from Jamie Soward. The final score was 16–12.
During the voting in 2010, the Australian rugby league team and New Zealand national rugby league team vice-captains, Cameron Smith and Adam Blair were selected by default but this rule was dropped the following year. The NRL All Stars were captained by Darren Lockyer in 2010 and 2011. Benji Marshall took over the role in 2012 after Lockyer's retirement. Wayne Bennett's Coach's choice selections in 2011 were Petero Civoniceva and Kurt Gidley and in 2012 were Luke Lewis and Ben Hornby. Ben Hornby was ruled out with injury and Bennett selected Hornby's Dragons teammate Nathan Fien to replace him.
For voting, there are two stages. First fans nominate two forwards and two backs from each club from the NRL to take part in stage 2. For stage 2, the coach selects a position for each of the selected players and it is the fans' job to form a team, with one player from each club only.
Squads
[edit]2010
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2011
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2012
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2013
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2015
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See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Gareth Ellis was originally selected but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Liam Fulton
NRL All Stars team
View on GrokipediaHistory
Origins and Establishment
The origins of the NRL All Stars team trace back to a successful exhibition match in 2008, where an Indigenous Australian squad faced the New Zealand Māori team as a curtain-raiser to the opening game of the Rugby League World Cup at Sydney Football Stadium. This encounter, known as the Indigenous Dreamtime Team versus the NZ Māori, drew significant attention for its high-scoring play and cultural exchanges, including the first on-field performance of an Indigenous war cry opposite the haka, effectively promoting Indigenous representation in rugby league and inspiring further initiatives for cultural celebration.[9][10] Building on this momentum, the National Rugby League (NRL) announced in September 2009 the establishment of an annual [All Stars match](/page/All Stars_match) to commence in 2010, positioning it as a season-opening event to celebrate the sport's cultural diversity and provide a platform to showcase top talent from across the 16 NRL clubs. The concept was spearheaded by Indigenous player Preston Campbell, aiming to honor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes and communities while marking the second anniversary of Australia's national apology to the Stolen Generations, thereby emphasizing reconciliation and pride in rugby league's role within diverse Australian society.[11][12] The inaugural NRL All Stars squad, comprising non-Indigenous players selected through public voting with one representative per club, was finalized in January 2010 under coach Wayne Bennett, with Brisbane Broncos' Darren Lockyer appointed as captain to lead the team. This setup created a direct counterpart to the Indigenous All Stars, offering a high-profile opportunity for non-Indigenous players to compete while centering the event on honoring Indigenous culture through elements like the Indigenous war cry performed pre-match.[13][14] The first match took place on 13 February 2010 at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast, attended by over 27,000 fans, and served the initial purpose of uniting the rugby league community in cultural celebration, with all proceeds directed toward Indigenous education, health, and grass-roots programs via the NRL's One Community initiative. This event not only highlighted elite talent but also reinforced the league's commitment to supporting Indigenous communities, setting a precedent for annual fixtures focused on diversity and inclusion.[11][15]Format Changes and Evolution
Following the inaugural match in 2010, the NRL All Stars format continued consistently from 2011 to 2013 as an exhibition game between the NRL All Stars team—comprising one player from each NRL club plus public and coach selections—and the Indigenous All Stars, with venues rotating within Queensland to promote the event's regional appeal, including Skilled Park on the Gold Coast in 2011 and 2012, and [Lang Park](/page/Lang Park) in Brisbane in 2013.[16][17] The match was suspended in 2014 due to scheduling conflicts with the end-of-year Rugby League World Cup, which would have required players to compete shortly after international duties, as announced by the NRL in August 2013.[18] It returned in 2015 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, with minor adjustments to emphasize emerging talent through public voting and coach selections that highlighted young players like Matt Moylan, Dylan Walker, and Luke Brooks alongside established stars.[19] In a significant rebranding announced in November 2015, the opposing team shifted to the World All Stars for the 2016 and 2017 editions to incorporate greater global diversity, requiring a minimum of four players each from Australia, New Zealand, and England, with the remainder drawn from nations like Fiji and Samoa to reflect the NRL's international composition; the 2016 match occurred at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, while the 2017 game moved to McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.[20][21][22] No All Stars match took place in 2018, as the NRL opted for a one-year hiatus following the 2017 World Cup to address declining interest in the World All Stars side—marked by player withdrawals and uneven fan support—and to prepare a revamped concept, with the new format announced in August 2018.[23] Post-2017, the NRL All Stars and World All Stars teams were discontinued, replaced in 2019 by matchups between the Indigenous All Stars and a New Zealand Māori All Stars side to foster cultural rivalry and highlight Māori and Pacific Islander representation.[23] A parallel women's All Stars competition debuted in 2011 as a curtain-raiser match between the Indigenous women's team and a selection of players from the Australian Jillaroos and other elite women, continuing annually in a similar format to the men's until adopting the Indigenous vs. Māori structure in 2019 with the introduction of the Māori Ferns.[1] Over its run, the original format produced seven men's matches (2010–2013 and 2015–2017), evolving to prioritize cultural and international elements that enhanced the event's focus on diverse player heritage before transitioning to the Indigenous vs. Māori structure.[23]Format and Selection
Player Eligibility and Selection
The NRL All Stars team, from its inception in 2010 for the matches in 2010–2013 and 2015, comprised top-performing players from the National Rugby League (NRL) who were ineligible for the opposing Indigenous All Stars side, ensuring a matchup that highlighted non-Indigenous talent while promoting cultural unity.[24] Eligibility centered on active NRL players demonstrating strong form from the prior season, with selections emphasizing positional balance across forwards, backs, and utility roles, as well as leadership qualities to represent the league's broader roster.[24] A panel including the team's coach and NRL administrators oversaw the process, drawing nominations from the 16 NRL clubs to form a pool of candidates, from which the final squad was chosen to reflect merit-based excellence without overlap with the Indigenous team.[24] The selection process for these years relied heavily on public fan voting via the official NRL website, structured in stages to ensure representation from every club. Fans initially nominated two forwards and two backs per club, narrowing to 64 candidates, after which voting focused on the top performer per position, limited to one player per club to maintain diversity.[24] The coach then finalized the lineup, incorporating automatic inclusions like national team captains where applicable, resulting in a typical 20-player squad comprising 17 starters and three reserves.[24] Final announcements occurred 2-4 weeks before the match, with provisions for late changes due to injuries, where replacements were drawn from the highest-voted alternates from the affected club to preserve balance.[25] In 2016 and 2017, the format shifted to the World All Stars, with eligibility for non-Indigenous NRL players from all nations represented in the league—who were not eligible for the Indigenous team—aiming to celebrate global diversity within the league.[26] Selections required at least one (and no more than two) player from each NRL club, a minimum of four from Australia, New Zealand, and England each, and the rest from other represented nations, while prioritizing players unavailable for major international tournaments like the Four Nations to manage fatigue ahead of events such as the Rugby League World Cup.[27] The coach, in consultation with administrators, handled nominations and final picks based on recent performance and cultural representation, again forming a 20-player squad announced weeks prior to the game, with injury replacements following similar merit-driven protocols.[27] In 2019, the format changed significantly to pit the Indigenous All Stars against the Māori All Stars (men) and Māori Ferns (women), focusing on First Nations and Pasifika representation; this has been the structure since, as of the 2025 edition.[2] Eligibility for the Indigenous teams requires players to identify as Indigenous Australian (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), while Māori teams require players of New Zealand Māori descent. Selections are now coach-led, with head coaches nominating and selecting 20-player squads based on form, heritage verification, and positional needs, without fan voting; announcements occur approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the February match.[28]Women's Selection
The women's counterpart followed a parallel evolution. From 2011 to 2015, the Women's All Stars (non-Indigenous) faced the Indigenous Women's All Stars, with selection via fan voting similar to the men's process.[1] In 2016-2017, it shifted to Women's World All Stars vs. Indigenous Women, using coach selections with diversity requirements. Since 2019, the format has been Māori Ferns vs. Indigenous Women's All Stars, with coach-led selections based on heritage eligibility, mirroring the men's current process.[1] Throughout these phases, the principles of merit, inclusivity, and respect guided selections, fostering unity by excluding any players from the opposing Indigenous side and highlighting the NRL's commitment to cultural celebration without compromising competitive integrity.[26]Coaching Staff and Captaincy
The coaching staff for the NRL All Stars team has primarily featured seasoned NRL figures tasked with mentoring a diverse squad of elite players in preparation for the annual exhibition match. Wayne Bennett, one of the most successful coaches in rugby league history with seven premiership titles, led the team from 2010 to 2013 and returned for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, emphasizing tactical discipline and team cohesion drawn from his extensive club experience.[29] In 2017, following the shift to the World All Stars format, Mal Meninga took over as head coach, leveraging his background as a Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos mentor to foster international unity among players from various nations.[30] Since 2019, coaching for the Māori All Stars has included figures like Stacey Jones (2019) and David Kidwell, with selections emphasizing cultural knowledge alongside tactical expertise; Indigenous teams have been led by coaches such as Laurie Daley and Ronald Griffiths.[2] Captaincy of the NRL All Stars has traditionally been awarded to players embodying seniority, on-field influence, and representative pedigree, such as State of Origin and international experience, to inspire the team and lead pre-match rituals including cultural acknowledgments of Indigenous custodians. Darren Lockyer captained the side in 2010 and 2011, drawing on his status as a Brisbane Broncos legend and Queensland captain to set a tone of resilience.[13] Benji Marshall assumed the role in 2012 and 2013, selected for his playmaking prowess and New Zealand international credentials, which helped unify the diverse roster during training camps.[31] Beau Scott led in 2015, chosen by coach Bennett for his tenacity as a Newcastle Knights forward and defensive leadership. Under the World All Stars banner, Cameron Smith captained in 2016, valued for his Melbourne Storm premierships and Kangaroos captaincy, while Jake Friend took the helm in 2017, appointed for his Sydney Roosters reliability and hooker expertise to promote team harmony across cultures.[32][33] In the current format, captains are selected by coaches based on leadership and heritage, such as Latrell Mitchell for Indigenous men (2024) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for Māori men (2024).[2] Supporting the head coaches, assistant staff typically include specialists from multiple NRL clubs to provide tactical input and player management, alongside medical professionals for injury prevention and recovery during the brief preparation period. Cultural advisors have also contributed to match-day protocols, ensuring captains deliver acknowledgments that respect Indigenous and multicultural heritages central to the event's ethos.[34] This structure underscores the All Stars' role in promoting unity and cultural awareness within rugby league.Squads and Matches
2010
The inaugural NRL All Stars match took place on 13 February 2010 at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast, drawing an attendance of 26,687 spectators.[15] The game pitted the newly formed NRL All Stars team against the Indigenous All Stars in a pre-season exhibition designed to celebrate Indigenous culture and showcase top talent.[35] The NRL All Stars were coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by Darren Lockyer.[36] The starting squad consisted of:- Fullback: Jarryd Hayne
- Wing: Israel Folau
- Centre: Michael Jennings
- Centre: Matt Cooper
- Wing: Manu Vatuvei
- Five-eighth: Darren Lockyer (c)
- Halfback: Benji Marshall
- Prop: Greg Bird
- Hooker: Cameron Smith
- Prop: Petero Civoniceva
- Second-row: Anthony Watmough
- Second-row: Luke Lewis
- Lock: Steve Menzies
2011
The 2011 NRL All Stars match marked the second edition of the annual exhibition game, held on 12 February at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast, with an attendance of 25,843 spectators. Coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by Darren Lockyer, the NRL All Stars team featured a 20-player squad selected through a combination of fan voting and coach's picks, including automatic inclusions for Lockyer and Benji Marshall. The starting lineup comprised Josh Dugan at fullback, wings Akuila Uate and Brett Morris, centres Michael Jennings and Jamie Lyon, five-eighth Darren Lockyer, halfback Benji Marshall, props Ben Hannant and Matthew Scott, hooker Cameron Smith, second-rowers Nathan Hindmarsh and Gareth Ellis, and lock Paul Gallen; the interchange bench included Dave Taylor, Ashley Harrison, Feleti Mateo, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Michael Ennis, Petero Civoniceva, and Kurt Gidley.[38][39] The NRL All Stars secured their first victory in the event's history, defeating the Indigenous All Stars 28-12 in a match characterized by strong forward play and clinical finishing. The tries for the NRL All Stars were scored by Brett Morris (2nd minute), Paul Gallen (20th minute), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (32nd minute), Akuila Uate (36th minute), and Josh Dugan (70th minute), with conversions successful on four of five attempts by Cameron Smith (two), Benji Marshall (one), and Kurt Gidley (one). Leading 22-6 at halftime, the team withstood a third-quarter resurgence from the Indigenous side before Dugan's long-range effort sealed the result, highlighting Lockyer's composed leadership in orchestrating the attack. Dugan was awarded the Preston Campbell Medal as player of the match for his impactful performance.[40][41][38] Bench rotations played a key role in maintaining momentum, with substitutes like Kenny-Dowall and Gidley contributing directly to scoring plays and defensive efforts. Paul Gallen continued playing despite sustaining a gashed cheek early in the contest, underscoring the physical intensity of the game. This emphatic win, following the previous year's narrow defeat, elevated the event's profile and demonstrated the growing appeal of the All Stars format among fans and players alike.[41][42]2012
The 2012 NRL All Stars team was coached by Wayne Bennett in his first year leading the side, with Benji Marshall of the Wests Tigers serving as captain following Darren Lockyer's retirement from playing.[43] The squad combined fan-voted selections with coach's picks, featuring a mix of established stars and emerging talents, and marked the debut of 10 players.[43] Due to injuries, including Cameron Smith's withdrawal, Aaron Payne stepped in at hooker.[44] The starting lineup was:- Fullback: Josh Dugan (Canberra Raiders)
- Wing: Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Centre: Jack Reed (Brisbane Broncos)
- Centre: Michael Jennings (Penrith Panthers)
- Wing: Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors)
- Five-eighth: Benji Marshall (c) (Wests Tigers)
- Halfback: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
- Prop: Kade Snowden (Newcastle Knights)
- Hooker: Aaron Payne (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Prop: Luke Bailey (Gold Coast Titans)
- Second row: Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels)
- Second row: Dave Taylor (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Lock: Paul Gallen (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) [44][43]
2013
The 2013 NRL All Stars match marked the fourth edition of the annual representative fixture, pitting the non-Indigenous NRL All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars for the first time at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 9 February.[49] This venue shift from previous games on the New South Wales-Queensland border aimed to broaden the event's appeal in Queensland.[50] Coached by Wayne Bennett, the NRL All Stars featured a blend of fan-voted selections, automatic picks like captain Benji Marshall and hooker Cameron Smith, and coach's choices, drawing from across the competition.[50] The starting lineup for the NRL All Stars was as follows:| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Jarryd Hayne | Parramatta Eels |
| Wing | Akuila Uate | Newcastle Knights |
| Centre | Shaun Kenny-Dowall | Sydney Roosters |
| Centre | Josh Morris | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| Wing | Brett Morris | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Five-eighth | Benji Marshall (c) | Wests Tigers |
| Halfback | Adam Reynolds | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Prop | James Tamou | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Hooker | Cameron Smith | Melbourne Storm |
| Prop | Ben Hannant | Brisbane Broncos |
| Second row | Ashley Harrison | Gold Coast Titans |
| Second row | Willie Mason | Newcastle Knights |
| Lock | Chris Heighington | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
2015
The 2015 NRL All Stars match marked the return of the annual exhibition following a one-year hiatus in 2014, which was imposed due to scheduling conflicts with the Rugby League World Cup.[18] Coached by Wayne Bennett, the NRL All Stars squad featured a blend of established State of Origin representatives and emerging talents, emphasizing players from across the competition.[51] The team was captained by Paul Gallen and included key figures such as James Graham, Kieran Foran, and Jason Taumalolo, selected to represent non-Indigenous excellence in the sport.[52] The final NRL All Stars lineup, announced days before the match, comprised:| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fullback | Matt Moylan | Penrith Panthers |
| 2. Wing | Manu Vatuvei | New Zealand Warriors |
| 3. Centre | Jarrod Croker | Canberra Raiders |
| 4. Centre | Dylan Walker | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| 5. Wing | Antonio Winterstein | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 6. Five-eighth | Kieran Foran | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| 7. Halfback | Mitchell Pearce | Sydney Roosters |
| 8. Prop | James Graham | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| 9. Hooker | Nathan Friend | New Zealand Warriors |
| 10. Prop | Jared Waerea-Hargreaves | Sydney Roosters |
| 11. Second row | Beau Scott | Newcastle Knights |
| 12. Second row | Jason Taumalolo | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 13. Lock | Paul Gallen (c) | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| 14. Interchange | Jesse Bromwich | Melbourne Storm |
| 15. Interchange | Luke Brooks | Wests Tigers |
| 16. Interchange | Joseph Paulo | Parramatta Eels |
| 17. Interchange | Trent Merrin | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| 18. Interchange | Corey Parker | Brisbane Broncos |
| 19. Interchange | Jeremy Smith | Newcastle Knights |
| 20. Interchange | Dave Taylor | Gold Coast Titans |
2016 (World All Stars)
The 2016 NRL All Stars match marked the debut of the rebranded World All Stars team, expanding eligibility to include players of international heritage beyond traditional Australian representatives, thereby infusing the squad with a diverse Pacific Islander flavor. Coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by Cameron Smith of the Melbourne Storm, the World All Stars aimed to challenge the Indigenous All Stars' recent dominance in the annual fixture. This edition also introduced the inaugural women's All Stars match as a curtain-raiser, highlighting growing inclusivity in the event.[55][56] The final World All Stars squad, announced on the day of the match, featured a blend of experienced internationals and rising talents, reflecting the team's global ethos with players like New Zealand-born Konrad Hurrell and Fijian heritage representative Semi Radradra. Several adjustments were made in the lead-up due to injuries and withdrawals, including the addition of Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Konrad Hurrell, and Matthew Wright to replace absentees such as Paul Gallen and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. The starting lineup and interchange were as follows:| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fullback | Jordan Kahu | Brisbane Broncos |
| 2. Wing | Semi Radradra | Parramatta Eels |
| 3. Centre | Jarrod Croker | Canberra Raiders |
| 4. Centre | Josh Morris | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| 5. Wing | Nene Macdonald | Gold Coast Titans |
| 6. Five-eighth | Gareth Widdop | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| 7. Halfback | Adam Reynolds | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| 8. Prop | James Graham | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| 9. Hooker | Cameron Smith (c) | Melbourne Storm |
| 10. Prop | Tom Burgess | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| 11. Second-row | Chris Lawrence | Wests Tigers |
| 12. Second-row | Ryan Hoffman | New Zealand Warriors |
| 13. Lock | Jeremy Smith | Newcastle Knights |
| Interchange | ||
| 14. | Michael Ennis | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| 15. | Kane Evans | Sydney Roosters |
| 16. | Konrad Hurrell | New Zealand Warriors |
| 17. | Trent Merrin | Penrith Panthers |
| 18. | Beau Scott | Parramatta Eels |
| 19. | Martin Taupau | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| 20. | Matthew Wright | North Queensland Cowboys |
