From the official WT website:
WILL ELLIS MAKE THE NRL ALL STARS SIDE?
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
NRL All Stars Coach Wayne Bennett has shown his support for Wests Tigers second-rower Gareth Ellis by declaring he wants him in his side for the February 13 match.
The fans have voted Israel Folau, Billy Slater, Kurt Gidley and Anthony Watmough as their top picks for the NRL All Stars side and with voting now closing a day earlier – at midnight (AEDT) on January 28, 2010 – the public has only eight days left to shape who will face the Indigenous All Stars in the inaugural Harvey Norman All Stars clash on February 13.
More than 12,000 fans have selected their NRL All Stars team but the final line-up is still undecided, making it more important than ever for fans to cast their votes.
Voting in this final stage has been moved forward a day to allow the NRL All Stars team a longer preparation and will now finish at midnight (AEDT) on January 28, 2010.
With the deadline fast approaching for selectors, NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett is once again taking the time to confer with fans through an online blog.
From 12.30pm AEDT (11.30am in Queensland) tomorrow, Thursday January 21, on http://www.nrl.com/allstars" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, Bennett will discuss the potential make-up of the NRL All Stars side.
Fans can then take the opportunity to cast their votes as to who should join automatically selected internationals Darren Lockyer, Benji Marshall, Cameron Smith and Adam Blair to wear the NRL All Stars Jersey on February 13.
In his previous blog, Bennett posted comments in response to questions about the team, the All Stars concept, modified rules and broadcast innovations. His comments included:
When asked on his preferred position for the voting leader, Israel Folau:
“Definitely wing. That’s the best position at the moment. Later on he will handle centre but wing is the position he plays most regularly.”
When questioned on the importance of a forward pack versus a strong backline:
“It’s a tough decision, having gone through it myself. We need a good forward pack, but getting the balance right is the key. We need to be able to gain yards and defend, then have a backline that can capitalise on yards gained.”
On Wests Tigers’ forward Gareth Ellis:
“I’d put him in my team.”
Voting for the teams has been overwhelmingly supported by over 47,000 fans who have taken up their opportunity as selectors in the creation of the Indigenous All Stars side and the shaping of the NRL All Stars team.
Coach Bennett has provided the public with his guide for the team by dividing the 64 shortlisted players into his preferred positions.
The coach has divided the backs into three groups:
• Fullback – Specialist role
• Outside Back – Includes centres and wings
• Inside Back – A player who can play five-eighth or halfback
Forwards are also divided into three categories
• Tight Forwards – A player who plays front-row and also second-row
• Edge Forwards – A second-rower or lock who can play on both the right and left side edge of a team’s attack and defence.
• Hooker – Specialist role
The coach wants at least three tight forwards in the starting line-up
The Coach’s remaining notes are:
• Players marked as utility players have been designated on the basis of their ability to cover multiple positions.
• The seven man bench will require:
- two Tight Forwards
- one Edge Forward
- one Inside Back
- one Outside Back
- two Utilities
Bennett has already appointed Lockyer at five-eighth, Marshall at half, Smith at hooker and Blair in the front-row. Bennett has assigned each of the 64 short-listed players in the position he wants the public to consider them for and players can only be voted for in one of their designated position/s.
Club Name Position/s
Brisbane Broncos
Corey Parker Edge Forward
Nick Kenny Tight Forward
Israel Folau Outside Back
Peter Wallace Inside Back
Canberra Raiders
Alan Tongue Edge Forward, Utility
David Shillington Tight Forward
Terry Campese Inside Back
Joel Monaghan Outside Back
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Michael Ennis Hooker
David Stagg Edge Forward
Josh Morris Outside Back
Luke Pattern Fullback
Cronulla Sharks
Anthony Tupou Edge Forward
Luke Douglas Tight Forward
Trent Barrett Inside Back
Luke Covell Outside Back
Gold Coast Titans
Anthony Laffranchi Edge Forward
Luke Bailey Tight Forward
Mat Rogers Utility, Inside Back
Ashley Harrison Edge Forward
Manly Sea Eagles
Anthony Watmough Edge Forward
Glenn Stewart Edge Forward
Michael Robertson Outside Back
Kieran Foran Inside Back, Utility
Melbourne Storm
Ryan Hoffman Edge Forward
Aiden Tolman Tight Forward
Billy Slater Fullback
Brett Finch Inside Back
Newcastle Knights
Ben Cross Tight Forward
Chris Houston Edge Forward
Kurt Gidley Fullback, Utility
Jarrod Mullen Inside Back
North Queensland Cowboys
Luke O’Donnell Edge Forward
Antonio Kaufusi Tight Forward
Ashley Graham Outside Back
Josh Williams Outside Back
Parramatta Eels
Fuifui Moimoi Tight Forward
Nathan Hindmarsh Edge Forward, Tight Forward
Jarryd Hayne Outside Back, Fullback
Feleti Mateo Inside Back, Utility
Penrith Panthers
Petero Civoniceva Tight Forward
Frank Pritchard Edge Forward
Michael Jennings Outside Back
Luke Lewis Edge Forward, Utility
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Dave Taylor Edge Forward
Isaac Luke Hooker
Fetuli Talanoa Outside Back
Colin Best Outside Back
St George Illawarra Dragons
Ben Creagh Edge Forward
Jeremy Smith Tight Forward, Edge Forward
Matt Cooper Outside Back
Darius Boyd Outside Back, Fullback
Sydney Roosters
Nate Myles Tight Forward
Jason Ryles Tight Forward
Anthony Minichiello Fullback
Mitchell Pearce Inside Back
Warriors
Micheal Luck Edge Forward
Sam Rapira Tight Forward
Manu Vatuvei Outside Back
Simon Mannering Edge Forward
Wests Tigers
Gareth Ellis Edge Forward
Robbie Farah Hooker
Chris Lawrence Outside Back
Tim Moltzen Fullback, Utility
The first representative to be voted into the NRL All Stars team will be the player that receives the highest number of overall votes for a single position. This will mean that no other player from that representative’s club will be eligible to make the team.
The next player selected will have recorded the second highest number of overall votes for a single position.
If a player is unable to play due to injury he will be replaced by someone from the bench. Another player, from the injured player’s club, will fill the bench spot – the new player having recorded the second highest number of votes from that club, either as a forward, back or utility, depending on the position needed for the bench.
There are just a few remaining tickets to the game, including corporate packages and single seats. Ticket enquiries can made through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or http://www.ticketek.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
