RUGBY LEAGUE
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Blayney Bears prop Will Ingram says there’s one thing punters should expect from April’s Group 10 All Stars Match in Cowra – fireworks.
Ingram and Cowra Magpies’ centre Warren Williams are the driving force behind the Indigenous All Stars team which will take on a best of the rest Group 10 All Stars side, in a clash set to be modified to emphasise attacking play.
Ingram said several rule modifications have been proposed, which will open the clash up, and considering the traditional natural ability, flair and razzle-dazzle of Indigenous players in the Group, will add to the excitement.
“We need to remember there are a lot of guys who have that kind of natural ability who will qualify for the Group 10 All Stars team too though, it’s not just the Indigenous guys,” Ingram said.
“One is a power-play type of rule, where for a certain amount of time a couple of players on both sides will drop off the field, which should create a lot more space and open the game a bit.
“That’d certainly give the spectators something a bit different, some more exciting, open, attacking play rather than the structured football we get week in, week out.”
Ingram is expected to line-up in the front row for the Indigenous All Stars, and said he’s looking forward to finding out who his teammates will be.
“I’d hope [I get a run] mate, it’d be a bit of a downer to help organise it and then not play,” Ingram laughed.
“I was having a think about who’d play in the Indigenous side [on Wednesday] and Cody Robbins was one who certainly stood out, as was Terry Brown.
“There’s quite a few Indigenous guys at Bathurst Panthers, we have a couple at Blayney, Cowra has a heavy Indigenous influence as well.
“I think no matter which clubs they come from, it’ll be a very strong side.”
Ingram and Williams joined forces with Bathurst St Pat’s coach Kurt Hancock to pioneer the event, which was originally set to be a tri-series between the Group 10 All Stars, Indigenous All Stars and an Islander All Stars team.
But, as Ingram explained, with 2016 being the inaugural event it was scaled back somewhat, but is set to be a wonderful celebration of Indigenous culture.
“We will have traditional welcomes and Indigenous dances throughout the day, and there has been talk of a challenge dance prior to the game,” Ingram said.
“But it’s also celebrating Austra-lian sporting culture in general, and it will be a really family friendly day. We’re looking forward to it.”
Prior to the All Stars Match, Group 10’s league tag side will take on their Group 10 counterparts as a curtain raiser.
The Group 10 All Stars Match is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, at Sid Kallas Oval.