Indigenous All Stars take home title
Sunday 10 February 2013 8:35 AM
Over 41,000 fans witnessed the Indigenous All Stars put on a spectacular show to claim the fourth annual All Stars title, defeating the NRL All Stars 32-6 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The NRL All Stars, boasting the Newcastle Knights Aku Uate and Willie Mason along with coach Wayne Bennett, looked to be the danger team in the opening minutes, with Ashley Harrison diving over the line only to have his try disallowed due to obstruction.
After some scrappy sets from both teams, the Indigenous All Stars, including the Knights' Timana Tahu, claimed the first points. It was a Johnathan Thurston grubber that found Ben Barba, who kicked the ball three times before grounding it under the posts.
Thurston converted from out front, 6-0.
Before the crowd had a chance to settle back in to their seats, Jarryd Hayne took off like a lightening bolt down the left edge.
Hayne managed to run from one end of the field to the other to tie the score at 6-all.
An opportunity to take the lead goes to waste for the NRL All Stars, with Benji Marshall fumbling the ball after a big hit from Greg Inglis.
With the clock winding down to the first quarter break, Thurston set up a lovely play to send Barba over for his second,
Thurston converted from the sideline, 12-6.
The break didn’t seem to do the NRL All Stars any good and they soon found themselves defending their line again.
Thurston once again showed his brilliance, kicking the ball across the field to the skilful Barba, who plucked the ball out of the air using one hand before planting it for this third of the match, 18-6.
It didn't take the Indigenous All Stars long after the half time break to extend their score, with Thurston’s kick finding the hands of Reece Robinson, who scooted over in the corner.
Thurston missed his first of the night, score remains 22-6.
Robinson continued to take over the try scoring duties and crossed for his second and then his third, 32-6.
In good news for the Knights, all three players came out of the game nscathed.