All Stars line-ups named
The line-ups for next month’s Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match have been unveiled.
More than 37,000 fans voted across the NRL All Stars two-stage selection process to select a side that features 15 new faces from the 20-man squad that played in last year’s inaugural match.
Among the new faces are Wests Tigers back-rower Gareth Ellis, who takes his place in the NRL Allstars squad after missing last year’s clash due to the birth of his son.
Fellow Englishman Sam Burgess misses out however, after failing to recover from shoulder surgery in time for the February 12 match.
Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley has named a strong squad featuring the likes of Jonathan Thurston, Scott Prince, Matt Bowen and Greg Bird.
Greg Inglis is a notable ommission through injury and he will be replaced by Melbourne’s Beau Champion.
A replacement for Sam Thaiday, who is currently nursing a groin injury, will be named later this week.
“The NRL All Stars team is a great representation of the talent within the NRL and I congratulate the fans for bringing this group together,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.
“More than 51,000 votes were polled during the public selection process for the two teams and that is a reflection of how much the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars means to the game’s fans.
“Importantly, both teams will again be involved in a number of activities that celebrate the cultural diversity within Rugby League and highlight the game’s commitment to supporting Indigenous communities.”
NRL All Stars squad:
Josh Dugan – Canberra Raiders
Akuila Uate – Newcastle Knights
Michael Jennings – Penrith Panthers
Jamie Lyon – Manly Sea Eagles
Brett Morris – St George Illawarra Dragons
Darren Lockyer (c) – Brisbane Broncos
Benji Marshall – Wests Tigers
Ben Hannant – Brisbane Broncos
Cameron Smith – Melbourne Storm
Matthew Scott – North Queensland Cowboys
Nathan Hindmarsh – Parramatta Eels
Gareth Ellis – Wests Tigers
Paul Gallen – Cronulla Sharks
Dave Taylor – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ashley Harrison – Gold Coast Titans
Feleti Mateo – New Zealand Warriors
Shaun Kenny-Dowall – Sydney Roosters
Michael Ennis – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Petero Civoniceva – Penrith Panthers
Kurt Gidley Newcastle – Knights
Indigenous All Stars squad:
Preston Campbell (c) – Gold Coast Titans
Nathan Merritt – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Willie Tonga North – Queensland Cowboys
Beau Champion – Melbourne Storm
Jharal Yow Yeh – Brisbane Broncos
Scott Prince – Gold Coast Titans
Johnathan Thurston – North Queensland Cowboys
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs – Canberra Raiders
Travis Waddell – Canberra Raiders
George Rose – Manly Sea Eagles
A.N OTHER
Jamal Idris – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Greg Bird – Gold Coast Titans
Ben Barba – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Jamie Soward – St George Illawarra Dragons
Carl Webb – Parramatta Eels
Cory Paterson – Newcastle Knights
Joel Thompson – Canberra Raiders
Ryan James – Gold Coast Titans
Matt Bowen – North Queensland Cowboys