Final contenders for the first ever NRL All Stars team have been officially named with fans soon to face the ultimate test of choosing just sixteen players.
18,000 fans took part in stage one voting through www.nrl.com/allstars to determine which players would be shortlisted to represent the NRL All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars at Skilled Park on February 13 in the first ever Harvey Norman All Stars match.
Already the star studded make-up of the list underlines the near impossible task that lies ahead for fans in choosing just one player from each club to join internationals Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Benji Marshall and Adam Blair in the twenty man All Stars squad.
Dragons supporters must choose between Ben Creagh, Jeremy Smith, Matt Cooper and Darius Boyd; Eels fans between Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Jarryd Hayne and Feleti Mateo; Manly fans between Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Michael Robinson and Kieran Foran … and so the dilemma goes on across every club.
The top ten voted players in stage one of the NRL All Stars side were:
* Unavailable due to injury
All Stars coach Wayne Bennett has vowed to work with fans in helping them select the final team as stage two voting opens through www.nrl.com/allstars on January 4, 2010.
The following 64-players have been shortlisted for the NRL All Stars selection:
Please note, since Stage One voting opened the following players have been made unavailable by their club due to injury: Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders); Brett Kimmorley (Canterbury Bulldogs); Ben Hannant (Canterbury Bulldogs); Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks); Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm); Ben Harris (North Queensland Cowboys); Michael Weyman (St George Illawarra Dragons); Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons); John Sutton (South Sydney Rabbitohs).
Wayne Bennett will now spend the New Year’s period working on what positions he wants the 64-nominated players considered for, including those he wants for the bench.
He will release the list of positions he wants players considered for on Sunday January 3 on NRL.com.
Stage Two voting will officially open on January 4 through www.nrl.com/allstars.
Voting to decide the final team to take of the Indigenous All Stars at Skilled Park Stadium on February 13 will close at midnight (AEDT) on January 29, 2010.
“It will be an amazing way to start the season,” NRL Chief Executive Mr David Gallop said today.
“This is a match that really includes the fans and underlines Rugby League’s community involvement.
“Choosing between the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Fuifui Moimoi, Feleti Mateo and Nathan Hindmarsh will not be easy, but ultimately it will only be one of these players that will make the NRL All Stars side and it is the fans who will decide.”
The player with the highest number of total votes will become the first publicly selected player names in the team and this will automatically prevent any of his club team mates gaining a place in the All Stars.
If injury prevents a player from being a part of the game, 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. The new player selected will have recorded the second highest number of votes from that club, either as a forward, back or utility, depending on the position needed for the bench.
The only remaining tickets for the game are corporate packages and single seats. Ticket enquiries can made through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au.
18,000 fans took part in stage one voting through www.nrl.com/allstars to determine which players would be shortlisted to represent the NRL All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars at Skilled Park on February 13 in the first ever Harvey Norman All Stars match.
Already the star studded make-up of the list underlines the near impossible task that lies ahead for fans in choosing just one player from each club to join internationals Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Benji Marshall and Adam Blair in the twenty man All Stars squad.
Dragons supporters must choose between Ben Creagh, Jeremy Smith, Matt Cooper and Darius Boyd; Eels fans between Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Jarryd Hayne and Feleti Mateo; Manly fans between Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Michael Robinson and Kieran Foran … and so the dilemma goes on across every club.
The top ten voted players in stage one of the NRL All Stars side were:
| Player | Club |
1. Israel Folau | Brisbane Broncos |
2. Fuifui Moimoi | Parramatta Eels |
3. Nathan Hindmarsh | Parramatta Eels |
4. Jarryd Hayne | Parramatta Eels |
5. Michael Jennings | Penrith Panthers |
6. Billy Slater | Melbourne Storm |
7. Anthony Watmough | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
8. John Sutton* | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
9. Josh Morris | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
10. Ryan Hoffman | Melbourne Storm |
* Unavailable due to injury
All Stars coach Wayne Bennett has vowed to work with fans in helping them select the final team as stage two voting opens through www.nrl.com/allstars on January 4, 2010.
The following 64-players have been shortlisted for the NRL All Stars selection:
| Club | Name | Position |
| Brisbane Broncos | ||
Corey Parker | Forward | |
Nick Kenny | Forward | |
Israel Folau | Back | |
Peter Wallace | Back | |
| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | ||
Michael Ennis | Forward | |
David Stagg | Forward | |
Josh Morris | Back | |
Luke Patten | Back | |
| North Queensland Cowboys | ||
Luke O’Donnell | Forward | |
Antonio Kaufusi | Forward | |
Ashley Graham | Back | |
John Williams | Back | |
| Parramatta Eels | ||
Fuifui Moimoi | Forward | |
Nathan Hindmarsh | Forward | |
Jarryd Hayne | Back | |
Feleti Mateo | Back | |
| Newcastle Knights | ||
Ben Cross | Forward | |
Chris Houston | Forward | |
Kurt Gidley | Back | |
Jarrod Mullen | Back | |
| New Zealand Warriors | ||
Michael Luck | Forward | |
Sam Rapira | Forward | |
Manu Vatuvei | Back | |
Simon Mannering | Back | |
| Penrith Panthers | ||
Petero Civoniceva | Forward | |
Frank Pritchard | Forward | |
Michael Jennings | Back | |
Luke Lewis | Back | |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs | ||
Dave Taylor | Forward | |
Issac Luke | Forward | |
Fetuli Talanoa | Back | |
Colin Best | Back | |
| Canberra Raiders | ||
Alan Tongue | Forward | |
David Shillington | Forward | |
Terry Campese | Back | |
Joel Monaghan | Back | |
| Sydney Roosters | ||
Nate Myles | Forward | |
Jason Ryles | Forward | |
Anthony Minichiello | Back | |
Mitchell Pearce | Back | |
| Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | ||
Anthony Watmough | Forward | |
Glenn Stewart | Forward | |
Michael Robertson | Back | |
Kieran Foran | Back | |
| Cronulla Sharks | ||
Anthony Tupou | Forward | |
Luke Douglas | Forward | |
Trent Barrett | Back | |
Luke Covell | Back | |
| Melbourne Storm | ||
Ryan Hoffman | Forward | |
Aiden Tolman | Forward | |
Billy Slater | Back | |
Brett Finch | Back | |
| Gold Coast Titans | ||
Anthony Laffranchi | Forward | |
Luke Bailey | Forward | |
Mat Rogers | Back | |
Ashley Harrison | Back | |
| Wests Tigers | ||
Gareth Ellis | Forward | |
Robbie Farah | Forward | |
Chris Lawrence | Back | |
Tim Moltzen | Back | |
| St George Illawarra Dragons | ||
Ben Creagh | Forward | |
Jeremy Smith | Forward | |
Matt Cooper | Back | |
Darius Boyd | Back |
Please note, since Stage One voting opened the following players have been made unavailable by their club due to injury: Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders); Brett Kimmorley (Canterbury Bulldogs); Ben Hannant (Canterbury Bulldogs); Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks); Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm); Ben Harris (North Queensland Cowboys); Michael Weyman (St George Illawarra Dragons); Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons); John Sutton (South Sydney Rabbitohs).
Wayne Bennett will now spend the New Year’s period working on what positions he wants the 64-nominated players considered for, including those he wants for the bench.
He will release the list of positions he wants players considered for on Sunday January 3 on NRL.com.
Stage Two voting will officially open on January 4 through www.nrl.com/allstars.
Voting to decide the final team to take of the Indigenous All Stars at Skilled Park Stadium on February 13 will close at midnight (AEDT) on January 29, 2010.
“It will be an amazing way to start the season,” NRL Chief Executive Mr David Gallop said today.
“This is a match that really includes the fans and underlines Rugby League’s community involvement.
“Choosing between the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Fuifui Moimoi, Feleti Mateo and Nathan Hindmarsh will not be easy, but ultimately it will only be one of these players that will make the NRL All Stars side and it is the fans who will decide.”
The player with the highest number of total votes will become the first publicly selected player names in the team and this will automatically prevent any of his club team mates gaining a place in the All Stars.
If injury prevents a player from being a part of the game, 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. The new player selected will have recorded the second highest number of votes from that club, either as a forward, back or utility, depending on the position needed for the bench.
The only remaining tickets for the game are corporate packages and single seats. Ticket enquiries can made through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au.
