On the eve of the NRL All Stars match on the Gold Coast, captain Beau Scott says his All Stars teammates have bonded exceptionally well despite many having met for the first time this week.
“It’s really good considering they are a bunch of fellas that haven’t even met each other before,” Scott said.
“It has been pretty crisp training and we’ll have another run tonight before the game.
“I’ve been getting to know new players that I’ve played against, but haven’t known off the field."
The 2014 Australian test representative adds the All Stars captaincy to his career highlights, honoured to lead and play against some of the game’s most talented.
“It’s really good.;I’m really excited to be captain of the team,” he said.
“It’s been enjoyable and I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.”
The Newcastle Knights will be well represented on Friday night with Scott joined by Jeremy Smith in the All Stars team set to face Dane Gagai and Tyrone Roberts, representatives in the Indigenous All Stars side.
"It’s an unlimited interchange so we’ll use that a fair bit considering it will be a lot of the fellas first run,” he explained about the game.
"I’m sure it will be an entertaining match anyway and that we’ll get a good crowd there and people will enjoy it.
"We are picked as a group of people for a reason. We need to go out there and play for each other and hopefully we’ll do a good job."
For the players, the NRL All Stars match isn’t simply about football.
In the lead up, both teams have spent time in the community promoting the importance of Indigenous culture in rugby league.
“It’s a good week. We have had a few workshops with the Indigenous kids and it’s a good eye opener and a learning curve for me as well,” Scott added.
“It’s also a good week to get away from the grind of pre-season."
NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett regards Scott as one of the best players in the competition and has praised his ability to lead by example.
“He’s one of my favorites. Beau brings a lot and he’s great to work with. I love having him in the teams that I coach,” he said.
“I’m pleased to have him here and pleased he is captain.
“No one will have any question marks about his intentions and about his commitment because he’s always doing his best and is a guy that’s just good to be around.
“He gives everyone a lot of confidence.”
Bennett meanwhile has been impressed with the professionalism and attitude of the players this week in camp.
“Their training session has been excellent. It has been a real pleasure to be with them and to be around such good professionals,” Bennett said.
“We don’t take it any less serious than the Indigenous boys, they just have a different motivation to what we do.
“They play for a different reason.
“They all want to be here, to their credit. They all love the week and get real enjoyment out of it."
The All Stars match is set to kick off on Friday evening at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast at 7.30pm local time.
