Need some help selecting your team? Read Wayne Bennett’s notes outlining the types of players he would like to see in the team.
Bennett has divided the players up into the following classifications to assist with the selection process:
Backs:
Fullback: This is a specialist role
Outside Back: Includes centres and wings with good defensive skills
Inside Back: A player who can play five-eighth or halfback
Utility: Players marked as utility players have been designated on the basis of their ability to cover multiple positions.
Forwards:
Tight Forwards: A player who plays front-row and also second-row
Edge Forwards: A second-rower or lock that can play on both the right and left side edge of a team’s attack and defense.
Hooker: This is a specialist role
Bennett would like three tight forwards in the starting line-up and would like the following seven man bench configuration:
- 2x Tight Forwards
- 1x Edge Forward
- 1x Inside Back
- 1x Outside Back
- 2x Utilities
Bennett has already designated Darren Lockyer at five-eighth, Benji Marshall at half, Cameron Smith at hooker and Adam Blair in the front row.
The list of players by position classification is as follows:
Fullbacks:
Luke Patten (Bulldogs), Billy Slater (Storm), Kurt Gidley (Knights), Jarryd Hayne (Eels), Darius Boyd (Dragons), Anthony Minichello (Roosters), Tim Moltzen (Wests Tigers).
Outside Backs:
Israel Folau (Broncos), Joel Monaghan (Raiders), Josh Morris (Bulldogs), Luke Covell (Sharks), Michael Robertson (Sea Eagles), Josh Williams (Cowboys), Collin Best (Rabbitohs), Manu Vatuvei (Warriors), Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers).
Inside Backs:
Peter Wallace (Broncos), Terry Campese (Raiders), Mat Rogers (Titans), Mitchell Pearce (Roosters).
Utilities:
Alan Tongue (Raiders), Mat Rogers (Titans), Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles), Kurt Gidley (Knights), Feleti Mateo (Eels), Luke Lewis (Panthers), Tim Moltzen (Wests Tigers).
Hookers:
Michael Ennis (Bulldogs), Isaac Luke (Rabbitohs), Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers).
Edge Forwards:
Corey Parker (Broncos), Alan Tongue (Raiders), David Stagg (Bulldogs), Anthony Tupou (Sharks), Anthony Laffranchi (Titans), Ashley Harrison (Titans), Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles), Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles), Ryan Hoffman (Storm), Chris Houston (Knights), Luke O’Donnell (Cowboys), Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels), Frank Pritchard (Panthers), Luke Lewis (Panthers), Dave Taylor (Rabbitohs), Ben Creagh (Dragons), Jeremy Smith (Dragons), Micahel Luck (Warriors), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers).
Tight Forwards:
Nick Kenny (Broncos), David Shillington (Raiders), Luke Douglas (Sharks), Luke Bailey (Titans), Aiden Tolman (Storm), Ben Cross (Knights), Antonio Kaufusi (Cowboys), Fui Fui Moi Moi (Eels), Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels), Petero Civoniceva (Panthers), Jeremy Smith (Dragons), Nate Myles (Roosters), Jason Ryles (Roosters), Sam Rapira (Warriors).
Please Note: The team make up and player classifications are only a guide from Wayne Bennett to be used when building your preferred NRL All Stars team. Individuals are still free to pick and choose players in whatever position they feel would be best for this particular match.
