Teams for 2013 All Stars clash

TEAMS for this year's NRL All Stars clash to be played on February 9 at Suncorp Stadium have been announced.

WILLIE Mason will make his return to representative football alongside his Knights team mate Timana Tahu with both named as coach's selections for the NRL All Stars match in Brisbane on February 9.

All Stars Coach Wayne Bennett chose Mason to make his All Stars debut alongside Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs), James Tamou (Cowboys), Billy Slater (Storm) and Tim Grant (Panthers), while Tahu was chosen by Laurie Daley for his Indigenous All Stars side featuring seven newcomers. The others are Raiders’ trio Reece Robinson, Jake Foster and Jack Wighton, Aidan Sezer (Titans), Joel Romelo (Bulldogs) and Dane Nielsen (Warriors).

More than 40,000 Rugby League fans have had their say via two online voting stages to select a representative from each of the 16 NRL Clubs in the 20-man NRL All Stars squad, while fans could choose from all of Rugby League’s best Indigenous talent for Daley’s Indigenous All Stars.

Following the closing of the public online voting on Monday, Bennett was able to select two extra players alongside automatic selections Benji Marshall (New Zealand captain) and Cameron Smith (Australian captain); while Daley could pick three extra players in addition to automatic selection (as captain) Thurston.

Bennett’s other ‘coach’s selection’ is the Storm’s Cooper Cronk, while Daley also chose Wighton and Nielsen.

Daley said: “We certainly have some strike-power in our team and when you look at the calibre of players we have, I think fans will be excited at the style of footy we will play.

“The NRL All Stars is a formidable side with big, powerful, class players in key positions, but I know how determined our team is to perform well and I think we have a squad capable of achieving something special.”

Bennett said the public had selected him a balanced side that would be capable of playing the exciting brand of football that had become synonymous with the All Stars game.

“There is no doubt the fans will be in for an entertaining game with the great mix of talented and exciting backs and powerful forwards in both teams, as well as the blend of experience and youth,” Bennett said.

“Just as important as the game though is the whole week of All Stars activities and community events and I commend the players for their ongoing commitment to the All Stars concept which continues to help make a real difference to the lives of many Australians.”

The 2013 NRL All Stars team is:

Player (*All Stars debutants)
Billy Slater* (Storm)
Akuila Uate (Knights)
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Roosters)
Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
Brett Morris (Dragons)
Benji Marshall (c) (Tigers - automatic selection)
Adam Reynolds* (Rabbitohs)
James Tamou* (Cowboys)
Cameron Smith (Storm - automatic selection)
Ben Hannant (Broncos)
David Taylor (Titans)
Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
Paul Gallen (Sharks)

Interchange

Robbie Farah (Tigers)
Tim Grant* (Panthers)
David Shillington (Raiders)
Feleti Mateo (Warriors)
Jarryd Hayne (Eels)

Coach’s Selections

Willie Mason* (Knights)
Cooper Cronk (Storm)

The 2013 Indigenous All Stars team is:

Player (*All Stars debutants)
Ben Barba (Bulldogs)
Reece Robinson* (Raiders)
Justin Hodges (Broncos)
Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs)
Blake Ferguson (Raiders)
Johnathan Thurston (c) (Cowboys)
Scott Prince (Broncos)
George Rose (Sea-Eagles)
Travis Waddell (Uncontracted)
Andrew Fifita (Sharks)
Joel Thompson (Raiders)
Greg Bird (Titans)
Nathan Peats (Rabbitohs)

Interchange

Ryan James (Titans)
Aidan Sezer* (Titans)
Joel Romelo* (Bulldogs)
Jake Foster* (Raiders)

Coach’s Selections

Dane Nielsen* (Warriors)
Timana Tahu* (Knights)
Jack Wighton* (Raiders)