The Rugby League All Stars Match of the National Rugby League is an annual rugby league football match between the specially-formed Indigenous All Stars and an All Stars team, both of whose members are made available for selection public vote.[1] The game has been played since 2010 at a variety of venues across Australia. The player judged man-of-the-match is awarded the Preston Campbell Medal, named after indigenous Gold Coast player, Preston Campbell. Between 2010 and 2015, the Indigenous All Stars opponent was an NRL All Stars team, they were replaced for 2016 by a World All Stars team.
The first match took place on 13 February 2010 at the Gold Coast's Skilled Park and was won 16–12 by the Indigenous All Stars,[2] and winning half-back Johnathan Thurston was awarded the inaugural Preston Campbell award for best player. Players from both sides were primarily chosen by the public, through a voting scheme through the official NRL website. Coaches from both sides then select the voted players into a make up squad, and players specially selected by the coaches are then included to create the full 20-man positional squad. Several rule alterations were also made exclusive to the All Stars which trialled such concepts like the "Double Try" and "Power Play" rule.[3] In 2012, the match trophy was named in honour to indigenous rugby league legend Artie Beetson.[4]
Rule variations
The logo used by the NRL from 2013.
For 2010, the match exhibited several rule variations exclusive to the All stars match:[5]
A new double try or "power play" rule was trialled during the match. This rule gave a try-scoring team the option to attempt to score another try from a single play-the-ball instead of taking the usual place kicked conversion. The idea is similar to the try rule in American football whereby a touchdown-scoring team can choose to either kick a conversion goal or to attempt to convert via an additional touchdown. The double try would be worth a further four points. The following rules were applied to the double try attempt:
The double try attempt was started by the attacking team with a play the ball in the centre of their opponents 20 metre line.
The fullback on the defending team was required to leave the field of play for the duration of the play. This meant there were twelve defenders against thirteen attackers.
The attacking team was prevented from kicking during the attempt, with the referee ending the play for a restart in the event that the ball was kicked.
If the defending team gained possession of the ball the play was over, this meant that the defending team could not score in this situation.
If the defending team conceded a penalty, the double try would be awarded automatically.
The match was divided into quarters rather than halves with 20 minutes between each break. Quarter and three quarter breaks were in five-minute periods and conducted on the field. This is due to the fact that the match is played during summer. Team talks delivered by the coaches during the breaks were broadcast live for the first time.
Teams had an unlimited interchange limit.
The match contained four on-field officials, although two were able to referee at a time.
The video referee was available to explain their decisions to the broadcast commentary team on air for the first time.
For the 2013 game, the following trial experimental rules were introduced:[6]
Ruck Penalties
For infringements in the ruck area by the defending team (holding down, leg pull, hand on ball etc.) which does not result in the breakdown of play (i.e. drop ball), the referee will indicate the infringement by blowing his whistle and signaling the infringement. The match referee will then immediately signal the restart of the tackle count which shall occur at the point of the infringement with a zero tackle.
There will be no kick for touch for these infringements. Play will continue immediately from the point of the infringement via a play the ball.
Any foul play in the ruck area by the defending team will result in a traditional penalty.
Any infringement by the attacking team in the ruck area will result in a traditional penalty.
Quick Restarts
This will see an extension of the quick restart from the 20m, with players allowed quick penalty tap kicks/restarts (apart from ruck penalties) from the point of the offence. Captains questioning decisions will be restricted to when they are in possession and scrums.
Restarts from Kicks
For any attacking team that kicks the ball from the outside the opponents 30m line (30m from try line) and the ball goes dead in-goal, the opponent will receive the ball via a handover (tap restart) from the point where the kick originated once the match officials are in place.
Preston Campbell Medal
The Preston Campbell Medal is awarded to the man of the match and is exclusively voted by the public. The medal is named after Gold Coast Titans and indigenous star Preston Campbell, who was the first person that ventured the idea of the All Stars match.
Results
Overview
Note: The All Stars match was not contested in 2014 and 2018.
2010
2011
2012
2013
2015
2016
2017
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Women's All Stars Matches Results
The Women's All Stars Match is the Women's rugby league version of the game and has been running since 2011.[15]
Overview
2011
2012
2013
2014
The match was held as the main curtain raiser for the 2014 Anzac Test.[20][21]
2015
The Women's All Stars exhibition match which was held as a curtain raiser for the men's 2015 All Stars match and was won by the NRL Women's All Stars 26–8.[22]
^"NRL All Stars v Indigenous All Stars". Australian Rugby League. Archived from the original on 16 February 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010. NRL All Stars v Indigenous All Stars. Australian Rugby League
^"Bennett launches NRL All Stars voting". National Rugby League. 24 November 2009. Archived from the original on 27 November 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
^"All Stars to trial experimental rules". National Rugby League. 2 February 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
^"Indigenous All Stars leave it late". NRL.com. 13 February 2015.
^"Thurston inspires Indigenous All Stars to big win". NRL.com. 10 February 2017. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
^"Addo-Carr stars as Indigenous All Stars beat Māori All Stars". NRL.com. 15 February 2019.
^Balym, Todd (22 February 2020). "Smith stars as Māori side clinches first All Stars win". NRL.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
^"'I thought it was golden point': Cody laments late call to level up". NRL.com. 20 February 2021.
^Lenehan, Martin (12 February 2022). "Tapine stands tall as Māori All Stars reign in rain". NRL.com.
^Robertson, Josh (12 February 2022). "Maori Mens All Stars secure emotional victory in wet contest". League Unlimited. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
^Rosser, Corey (11 February 2023). "'Destined for greatness': Hynes earns highest praise from coach". NRL.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
^"Women's All Stars team announced". nrl.com. 21 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
^Payne, Charlie (15 February 2011). "Local stars prove all class in women's indigenous match". Mackay Daily Mercury.
^"Applause for try-saving hit". Innisfail Advocate. 25 February 2012.
^"Brother and sister are home grown all stars". Whitsunday Times. 9 February 2012. p. 43.
^Turnbull, Ben (12 February 2013). "All Stars share glory". Bundaberg The NewsMail.
^"Women's All Stars team announcement". nrl.com. 21 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
^"Women's All Stars too strong in historic clash". nrl.com. 21 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
^"Final All Stars teams announced". NRL.com. 8 February 2015. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015.
^Webeck, Tony (13 February 2015). "NRL Women too strong for Indigenous All Stars". NRL. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
^Kennedy, Chris (10 February 2017). "Indigenous Women record historic All Stars win". NRL. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
^Walter, Brad (15 February 2019). "Rota puts personal anguish aside to inspire Maori All Stars". NRL. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
^"Match Highlights: Indigenous Women's All Stars v NZ Maori Women's All Stars". NRL. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
^"Temara, McGregor shine as Maori All Stars too good for Indigenous team". NRL.com. 20 February 2021.
^Lenehan, Martin (12 February 2022). "Chapman doubles up as Indigenous All Stars storm home". NRL. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
^Kennedy, Chris (12 February 2022). "Best in the world: Fullback duel lights up All Stars". NRL. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
^Hogan, Kelsey (11 February 2023). "Gayle force: Broughton claims Trish Hina medal". NRL.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
