What All Stars means to Bennett

Newcastle Knights and NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett has been a huge supporter of the All Stars concept since it was first introduced in 2010.

While in Brisbane on the weekend for his fourth annual All Stars match, Bennett told Knights TV his involvement in the All Stars allows him to give something back to the community.

“There is a huge amount that gets done during the week,” he said.

“Most of the community activities are reward based so kids who are going to school or setting certain standards at school are invited to attend the Youth Summit or get to go down the water slides with all the NRL Stars.

“I like that idea and there is a lot of good things happening with it.

“And there is a big buy-in from the Aboriginal community and I think it has given them a real pride about themselves as well.”

Knights centre Timana Tahu helped the Indigenous All Stars to a 32-6 win over Bennett’s side, which included Willie Mason and Aku Uate.

“To get the recognition to be there would mean so much to Timana,” Bennett said.

“He is a very proud Indigenous man I would say his involvement would be one of the highlights of his life.”

Each year the NRL experiments with new rules during the All Stars match and this year saw three new rules introduced to provide the fans with an attacking spectacle.

“It is a good place for it (rule changes) to happen and they have brought in some sensible ones this year when compared to some that we have had over the last couple of years which probably haven’t been realistic,” he added.

“The quick taps, kicking the ball outside the 30 metre zone and it goes dead in goal and you get to go back to where you kick the ball and get six to go rather than the game being stopped and a penalty given.

“I like all of those, especially for infringements around the play the ball.

“And maybe one day we will see them in the NRL.”