2020 NRL All Stars to return to the Gold Coast with February 22 men’s and women’s double-header

THE NRL All Stars will return to the Gold Coast in 2020 and proudly-indigenous Titans captain Ryan James believes the fixtures will carry more significance than ever.

THE NRL All Stars will return to the Gold Coast in 2020 and proudly-indigenous Titans captain Ryan James believes the fixtures will carry more significance than ever.

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A decade on from the inaugural game on the Glitter Strip, the NRL will today announce the men’s and women’s double-header between the Indigenous and Maori All Stars will make a comeback to Robina’s Cbus Super Stadium on February 22.

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James, a five-game All Stars veteran, said with fellow Aboriginals Latrell Mitchell and Adam Goodes the high-profile victims of racial abuse in recent times, next year’s event was another vital step in stamping out racism.

Preston Campbell, Ryan James and Rona Peters ahead of 2020 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars game that will return to the Gold Coast in 2020. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL

“(Racism in sport) has been underlying in the background for a while and it’s come out recently when Goodes started calling it out,” said James, who missed the Indigenous All Stars’ 34-14 win over Maori in February through injury.

“You have to call it out because you can’t just let racism be a daily thing. It’s using this platform to call out racism. It’s one of those things stuck into everyday life you need to get out.

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“It’s great to have (the event) back on the Goldy, where it originated. The pioneers like Presto (Preston Campbell) and Tom Searle put together the concept on the Gold Coast so it’s good to have it back.

James in action for the Indigenous All Stars in 2011. Picture: Adam Head

“Hopefully it’s just on the calendar where it might come back here every two or three games.”

The Coast hosted the first three All Stars fixtures from 2010-12, but it has not returned since 2015.

The concept was brought back in a revamped fashion this season after a one-year hiatus due to the rugby league World Cup.

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Previously played between the Indigenous and NRL All Stars, this year’s game was the first to feature the Maori side, with almost 20,000 fans packing into Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

James, who is on the comeback trail from season-ending knee surgery in May, said the lead-up to the games was just as important as the on-field action.

“It started off as a half-exhibition game and it’s turned into this serious game on the calendar. We’ve been able to reach regions far and wide the last couple of years,” the 28-year-old said.

“It’s more (about) getting out in the community during the week and seeing the indigenous and non-indigenous communities buy into the game. Last year … there was plenty of school visits and back-to-basics (visits) where both camps go out and have footy days.

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“It’s just getting everyone involved in that game and celebrating the cultures. I think the boys get more of a kick out of what they do in the community and the game just tops it off.

“A lot of the good work that goes into the community isn’t seen.”

Tickets go on sale in December.