What The NRL All Stars vs Indigenous All Stars Game Told Me...
Anyone else feel the vibes? There's two thirds of the NRL pre-season done and dusted, both the NRL Nines and the All Star match serve perfectly as celebrations of rugby league and with the World Club Series thingy (it's such a thingy that I can't be bothered checking the proper name) also on the cards, we get three completely different events. They all serve a different purpose and offer NRL fans the opportunity to get amongst some league again, while also being able to chill out a bit.
That's why I love the All Stars game. The NRL All Stars looked like they were having a jolly old time all week and it gives players the opportunity to play alongside players that they probably never thought they would. Manu Vatuvei and James Graham on the same team, patting one another on the backside? Gold.
Obviously this game means a whole lot to the Indigenous people and players, hence why it should always remain a staple of the rugby league calender. Not much more needs to be said about that, this game isn't about me as a fan from South Auckland or you, or Channel 9's bank balance or NRL coaches checking the progress of their players. Nah, it's about the Indigenous people and they deserve all the love they can get considering how much they have contributed to rugby league.
Anyway, they played a game and here's what the game told me...
Manu Vatuvei looks awesome. He looks super athletic, quick, light footed, confident and eager. All that equals career best form.
Luke Brooks was an interesting case, every time he got the ball you could see that he's going to threaten the line with his running game. However, we didn't see as much classic halfback play which was a bummer but likely of circumstance and to be fair he didn't play a whole lot of halfback. He kind of floated around, but when he got the ball you could feel the energy. Many defenders will be left grasping at air as Brooks slams that left foot down, boosting in any direction.
It's the same with Alex Johnston. The NRL has the highest concentration of speed, power and footwork down under with Super Rugby possessing about half of the talent. In a league with many quick lads, Johnston just looks faster than everyone else.
The difference between Johnston and Greg Inglis, which is a very fair comparison to make, is the size of Inglis. Many tough hit ups were taken by Inglis, which is such a boost for his team. Look for Inglis to also get a whole lot of short balls this season, I can just sense the Rabbitohs trying to get him 1 v 1 with a smaller lad.
I'm scared, Paul Gallen literally scares me. Gallen on an edge, instead of playing in the middle, could be difficult to handle for many opposing teams this season. You forget how nifty Gallen's feet are, his quicker and much more agile than you expect.
The Sharks will also be extremely happy with the form of Ben Barba. He definitely looks like he's got some spark and his Brisbane days look well and truly in the past.
Anyone who looked down upon the war dance from the Indigenous All Stars is very dumb. It's obviously not going to look anything like a haka because they're completely different people.
The Kiwis have the two best big boys with the best footwork. I've got to come up with a name for that ... breezy big boppers? Because Jesse Bromwich and Jason Taumalolo breeze past defenders, while also being huge.
Will Chambers was lively throughout the game and looked like he was there with a point to prove. He doesn't have a point to prove but that's how he played and he looks to have gone to a new level for 2015.
Jonathan Thurston is a wizard and his foot is his wand, well he's got a few wands with his hands being pretty skilled as well. Thurston showcased a full arsenal of kicks, leaving me to have no issues in saying he's the best kicker in the game. The first kick he made, with Manu back waiting for the bomb was flat, but it was flat because he had plenty of slice on it.
Kierran Moseley is a great young prospect and hopefully we'll see him get plenty of game tiem with the Gold Coast Titans.
The Indigenous side were up against a well advertised massive forward pack, which led to a few interesting inclusions and while Ryan James earned plenty of praise Tyson Andrews was also impressive. Two young lads, up against a beast of a pack and they held their own. Andrews is with the Manly Sea Eagles and played in the Brisbane Broncos awesome Under 20's side that included Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough and Josh McQuire. I'd keep an eye on Andrews with Manly this season.
David Fifita isn't quite as gifted as twin bruv Andrew, but there's not reason why he can't be an NRL prop.
The commentators couldn't control themselves talking about Matt Moylan and with good reason. Moylan has the ability to lead the Panthers to a premiership, no doubt about it and it's not cool how easy he makes it all look. Not cool bro.
Sure Phil Gould talked a lot about the Panthers, but with good reason. Moylan's all class, Moseley should shine and Tyrone Peachey defies his stature, he's a nugget as well.
Absolute waste of time having all those refs running around looking like silly buggers. But hey, this is where you can try that stuff so whatever.