General NRL All Stars

[WahsaurusRex]

NRL All Stars
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[WahsaurusRex]

Adam Blair announced as new Māori All Stars coach​

Next year's NRL Harvey Norman All Stars will mark a full circle moment for former Māori captain Adam Blair, who has been named as the side's new head coach for the annual meeting with the Indigenous All Stars.

Th 37-year-old will become the first person to have appeared in the cultural showpiece as both a player and head coach when the team assembles for the February 16 event in Townsville, following on from him captaining the side in both 2019 and 2020.

Blair takes over from 2023 coach Ben Gardiner, who is unavailable due to the Panthers, who he is an assistant with, preparing for the World Club Challenge against Super League champions Wigan.

Since retiring from the NRL at the end of 2020 after playing 331 games, Blair has held coaching roles at junior level with the Warriors and last year was an assistant to Gardiner with the Māori All Stars.

The former Kiwi international told NRL.com that while he had initially thought he would shadow Gardiner for at least another campaign, his experiences as a player have him prepared and excited to move into the top job.

"Over the years with the All Stars I have seen coaches like David Kidwell and Stacey Jones be able to create a space where people can come in and feel part of it," Blair told NRL.com.

"The main thing for me is to make sure I ride on the back of what has already been created, but at the same time add my little flavour to it.

"I want to thank Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League for giving me this opportunity; it's a role that I hold in the highest regard.

I went into camp this year as an assistant coach and felt the same feelings as I did my first time as a player.
Adam Blair

"This is an opportunity for me to make sure we all make the most of the week embracing our culture, but also understanding that our game is based on results."

Alongside the appointment of Blair (Ngāpuhi and Te Rarawa), Keith Hanley (Ngāpuhi) has been retained as the Māori women's coach for a fourth-consecutive campaign, after guiding his side to a 16-12 victory in last year's match in Rotorua.

Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League chair John Devonshire said it was particularly pleasing to have a Māori coach back at the helm of the men's team, alongside Hanley with the women.

"Adam is an ex-player, a person with mana, he really feels the Wairua – the spirit that is associated with the jersey – having worn it," Devonshire said.

"He will identify all the extras, that this is not just about football, and understand the value of what a cultural tikanga (customary system of values and practices) approach brings."

Meanwhile despite most coaches of the Māori side to date having enjoyed only short tenures in charge, Blair said he intends to be in the role for as long as possible.

"For as long as this All Stars game is going then I would love to be part of it," Blair said.

"It’s my passion to give back to my people and there is no thought in my mind that it’s a one-season gig.

"It’s an honour and a privilege and there is no better place for me to start off coaching in the top grade."

 

[sup42]

Adam Blair announced as new Māori All Stars coach​

Interesting.
Good luck Blairy.
I spose the way I see it, this team is not the NZ Maori team per se. This is an NRL made up token concept with a spin off of having some high profile players.

No harm in giving a noob the gig.
I would have a rethink if they were playing an official world body sanctioned test. In that instance a more experienced coach is my preference.

 

[Shogun]

Former four-club NRL playmaker eyeing surprise All Star return​

“I am blessed even to be considered.”​

Retired NRL journeyman Issac Luke has revealed he's making a push to feature for the Māori All Stars side in next month's showcase clash with the Indigenous All Stars in Townsville.

Luke, who called time on his career in September 2021, last played in the NRL for the Brisbane Broncos the year prior to his decision to hang up the boots.

With almost 300 senior appearances to his name and a further 43 Tests for New Zealand on the international stage, the former Rabbitohs, Warriors, Dragons and Broncos hooker could bring his wealth of experience to the All Stars clash in mid-February.

A two-time representative for the Māori All Stars, Luke has been in discussions with squad coach Adam Blair around a potential comeback appearance.

The February 16 match falls one year on from the passing of Luke's father, George, with a return to the representative stage a potential avenue to further honour his late dad.

"If I was to get the chance, I'd be playing for my dad. The game falls on the day he died last year," Luke revealed to NRL.com.

"It's come around so fast, but I remember the day he went missing like it was still just yesterday and from an emotional point of view it has hit me hard.

"I am the second oldest of his children and I spoke to my dad every week, so not being able to have that, it's tough.

"If I do get the green light [to play] I don't know how I will handle the occasion... but I am blessed even to be considered."

Most recently, Luke has featured for Queensland Cup outfit Souths Logan, with the 36-year-old making a trio of appearances off the interchange for the state league side in the second half of last season.

The Hāwera-born playmaker said he'll be prepared for another top-level appearance if an opportunity with the Māori All Stars comes to fruition.

"[Physically] I'll be good," Luke said.

"I have got through the pre-season with the Magpies (Souths Logan) and have passed everything I needed to."

The 2024 All Stars match will take place at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday, February 16, with the Māori All Stars carrying a three-game undefeated run into this year's fixture.

 

[Worried2Death]

Former four-club NRL playmaker eyeing surprise All Star return​

“I am blessed even to be considered.”​

Retired NRL journeyman Issac Luke has revealed he's making a push to feature for the Māori All Stars side in next month's showcase clash with the Indigenous All Stars in Townsville.

Luke, who called time on his career in September 2021, last played in the NRL for the Brisbane Broncos the year prior to his decision to hang up the boots.

With almost 300 senior appearances to his name and a further 43 Tests for New Zealand on the international stage, the former Rabbitohs, Warriors, Dragons and Broncos hooker could bring his wealth of experience to the All Stars clash in mid-February.

A two-time representative for the Māori All Stars, Luke has been in discussions with squad coach Adam Blair around a potential comeback appearance.

The February 16 match falls one year on from the passing of Luke's father, George, with a return to the representative stage a potential avenue to further honour his late dad.

"If I was to get the chance, I'd be playing for my dad. The game falls on the day he died last year," Luke revealed to NRL.com.

"It's come around so fast, but I remember the day he went missing like it was still just yesterday and from an emotional point of view it has hit me hard.

"I am the second oldest of his children and I spoke to my dad every week, so not being able to have that, it's tough.

"If I do get the green light [to play] I don't know how I will handle the occasion... but I am blessed even to be considered."

Most recently, Luke has featured for Queensland Cup outfit Souths Logan, with the 36-year-old making a trio of appearances off the interchange for the state league side in the second half of last season.

The Hāwera-born playmaker said he'll be prepared for another top-level appearance if an opportunity with the Māori All Stars comes to fruition.

"[Physically] I'll be good," Luke said.

"I have got through the pre-season with the Magpies (Souths Logan) and have passed everything I needed to."

The 2024 All Stars match will take place at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday, February 16, with the Māori All Stars carrying a three-game undefeated run into this year's fixture.

Probably still best Maori hooker available, looked a class above in the old boys charity match end of last year

 

[SBW1]

Former four-club NRL playmaker eyeing surprise All Star return

"I am blessed even to be considered."

www.zerotackle.com

 

[SBW1]

Any news on what the teams will look like?

 

[sup42]

Former four-club NRL playmaker eyeing surprise All Star return

"I am blessed even to be considered."

www.zerotackle.com

A tribute match for Bully I spose, whether the Aussies see it that way or not, he deserves one lol.

Wiki had one, played for a Kiwis All Golds 13 vs NZ Maori domestic side.

That was played in New Plymouth, I went down there to see the great man get his send off.

In the dying seconds of the Match, the All Golds pass the ball to Wiki from the Kick off - he charges down field from inside his 20 meter zone, mysteriously each Maori defender that tackles Wiki falls off, some plain dive and miss, the crowd roars as Ruben Wiki goes the length of the field and scores for the All Golds as the full time hooter sounds.....

Gotta love those Maori bro's for reading the room and letting the great man run through the whole team....

Stacey Jones was in that All Golds side, as was Jordan Rapana, Nightingale, Shaun Kenny Dowel, Wairangi Koopu put in as well.....man those boys are magic for turning out for Ruben the Spartan Wiki....

Ah happy memories.....

Looking forward to seeing the Maori side this year, hopefully a few new faces get selected.

 

[Playdaball]

Luke has had his day / hand it over.
Let him run the water .

 

[Billyspleen75]

Luke has had his day / hand it over.
Let him run the water .

Maoris had a terrible spine last year
Hayze
Docker Clay
Turner
Harawira Naera

Old man Luke is a significant upgrade

 

[Billyspleen75]

 

[snake77]

That Maori jersey is such a nice design.

I love the colours and that it has a nice design but it isn't too busy.

I hope it sells well.

 

[sup42]

View attachment 4988

The black version looks better I recon.

Mind you it is hard to tell till I see it on the shelves.

 

[SBW1]

MSN

 

[SBW1]

Surely there must be some updates on who is playing.

 

[jonesy101]

Despite it being the first meaningful game to kick of the season it seems all the hype is with the Vegas games at the moment. Hopefully we hear the squads soon for the men and women.

 

[jonesy101]

‘Game is bigger than the clubs’: Indigenous icons sound warning over All Stars​

MSN

www.msn.com

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Hoping that now that we aren't going into/coming off of a World Cup more players will be available.

I find it a bit BS that Ponga has ruled himself out for the All-Star Game to "focus on the Knights" but has simultaneously made himself available for Origin

All-Star Game = Miss one week of preseason, and one trial game (that he probably wasn't going to play in anyway)
Origin = Miss three weeks in the middle of the regular season, and miss several actual games for the Knights

I get that the ASG doesn't pay the big bucks, or get your face put on a lunch box, but it's still contradictory

If the best players that are eligible actually did play on a yearly basis it would be origin standard in no time, unfortunately, as long as it is at the start of the season rather than in the middle/at the end, and with the match payment is so low (16% of Origins), it will never realise its potential.

 

[Matiunz]

Despite it being the first meaningful game to kick of the season it seems all the hype is with the Vegas games at the moment. Hopefully we hear the squads soon for the men and women.

I’m not sure it’s particularly meaningful considering the players making themselves unavailable last couple of years.
Wonder if it’s better at the end of the season as a lead in to internationals and bringing back 9s as a bit of a fun way to blood a few young kids and showcase some signings

 

[WahsaurusRex]

I’m not sure it’s particularly meaningful considering the players making themselves unavailable last couple of years.
Wonder if it’s better at the end of the season as a lead in to internationals and bringing back 9s as a bit of a fun way to blood a few young kids and showcase some signings

The problem being is that internationals already have a tiny window to get games in as is

Ideally imo, 27 weeks with 24 games is too long so when we go the 18 teams, get that extra game every weekend, then reduce the length of the season from 24 to 22 which would give the time to squeeze the ASG in at the end of the season along with an extra week of internationals.

Or, it could work making it similar to the NFL Pro Bowl, and move it to the week before the GF, you miss out on players from the 4 best teams of course but at least teams wouldn't be so against their players getting amongst it? (That may take away from the event of it all though, having it outshined by the Prelims)