A total of four Rabbitohs players will take part in this year’s All Stars game when the NRL All Stars face the Indigenous All Stars at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium on Friday February 13.
Greg Inglis (fullback), Alex Johnston (wing) and Kyle Turner (interchange) will line up for the Indigenous All Stars, while Test centre Dylan Walker will line up for the NRL All Stars.
Inglis and North Queensland Cowboys playmaker, Johnathan Thurston, finished as the most popular selections in the Indigenous All Stars side from a public vote of more than 15,000 fans, and were separated by just 33 votes when the polls closed.
Joining Thurston and Inglis in the backs for the Indigenous side will be the experience of Justin Hodges (Broncos) in the centres, alongside Will Chambers (Storm). Rabbitoh Alex Johnston and Gold Coast Titan Josh Hoffman will make their All Stars debuts.
In the forwards, the Indigenous side will be led by Greg Bird and his Titans team mate Ryan James, with Broncos stalwart Sam Thaiday joined by youngster Tyrone Peachey (Panthers) in the second row, recent St George Illawarra signing George Rose at prop, and Ray Thompson (Cowboys) at hooker. Adding to a talented and experienced Indigenous side are four coaches picks, including Kyle Turner (Rabbitohs), Jack Wighton (Raiders) and Kierran Moseley (Titans).
Indigenous All Stars Coach, Laurie Daley, commended fans on their enthusiasm in the selection process.
“The public have made it easy for me and I can't wait to coach this squad," Daley said. "It is a wonderful squad and there is some incredible talent all the way through it. They will play some exciting football and that is exactly what the All Stars concept is known for.
“I’m really looking forward to bringing this side together and coaching some of the game’s best players and brightest talents.”
Meanwhile, for the NRL All Stars, Rabbitohs and Test centre Dylan Walker joins a well-balanced squad of rising superstars such as Matt Moylan (Penrith) and Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers) alongside established representative stars including Manu Vatuvei (Warriors), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Paul Gallen (Sharks).
NRL All Stars Coach, Wayne Bennett, said he wanted to ensure his side featured a good mix of the game’s up-and-comers as well as the stalwarts.
“We have some young guys who proved themselves last season and have a fantastic career ahead of them, combined with those who have a strong representative background,” Bennett said.
“I look forward to our players being part of the whole week of All Stars activities and community events and I commend them for their ongoing commitment to the All Stars concept, which continues to make a real difference to the lives of many Australians.”
Congratulations to Greg, Alex, Kyle and Dylan on their selection.
Indigenous All Stars
1. Greg Inglis – Rabbitohs
2. Alex Johnston – Rabbitohs
3. Will Chambers – Storm
4. Justin Hodges – Broncos
5. Josh Hoffman – Titans
6. Ben Barba – Sharks
7. Johnathan Thurston – Cowboys
8. George Rose – Dragons
9. Ray Thompson – Cowboys
10. Ryan James – Titans
11. Tyrone Peachey – Panthers
12. Sam Thaiday – Broncos
13. Greg Bird – Titans
14. Chris Sandow – Eels
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs – Storm
16. Dane Gagai – Knights
17. Kyle Turner – Rabbitohs
18. Jack Wighton – Raiders
19. Kierran Moseley – Titans
20. Brad Tighe – Titans
NRL All Stars
1. Matt Moylan – Panthers
2. Manu Vatuvei – Warriors
3. Jarrod Croker – Raiders
4. Dylan Walker – Rabbitohs
5. Antonio Winterstein – Cowboys
6. Kieran Foran – Sea Eagles
7. Mitchell Pearce – Roosters
8. James Graham – Bulldogs
9. Michael Ennis – Sharks
10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – Roosters
11. Beau Scott – Knights
12. Jason Taumololo – Cowboys
13. Paul Gallen – Sharks
14. Jesse Bromwich - Storm
15. Luke Brooks – Wests Tigers
16. Will Hopoate – Eels
17. Trent Merrin – Dragons
18. Corey Parker – Broncos
19. Jeremy Smith – Knights
20. Dave Taylor – Titans
