Knights Players Prioritise Las Vegas Trip Over All Stars Selection
Indigenous All Stars coach Ronald Griffiths has expressed understanding regarding the absence of Newcastle Knights players from his squad for the upcoming representative fixture. Griffiths described the opportunity to play in Las Vegas a fortnight later as a "once-in-a-lifetime" chance for the athletes.
Key Players Unavailable for Indigenous Team
Griffiths unveiled his 20-man squad on Thursday for the men's All Stars match scheduled for February 15 in Hamilton, New Zealand. Notably, the squad does not include any Knights players. Bradman Best, Dylan Lucas, and Jermaine McEwen were all considered potential selections for the Indigenous team but were unavailable. Dane Gagai, eligible for both Indigenous and Maori teams, has recently represented the latter and is also not involved.
"It is disappointing in terms of, you want guys like Bradman Best and this would have been Jermaine McEwen's first year," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald. "You want to see those quality players play, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. Their time will certainly come. Vegas is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them."
Scheduling Conflicts and Future of the All Stars Match
The All Stars match, set for 3.45pm AEDT on Sunday, February 15, occurs just one day after Newcastle's second trial against the Bulldogs in Newcastle. It is also five days before the club departs for a more than week-long camp in America ahead of their season opener in Las Vegas. This timing has raised questions about the fixture's future, especially with increasing player withdrawals since the NRL began holding season-opening matches in the United States.
In recent years, some players have participated in both the All Stars match and the Las Vegas games. However, last year, Maori coach Adam Blair voiced concerns after several eligible Canberra players, slated for Vegas, skipped the representative match. Blair called for the NRL to enforce player participation.
Griffiths noted that participation varies individually, citing examples like Josh Kerr, James Fisher-Harris, and Latrell Mitchell, who have managed both commitments previously. "It's just an individual thing, really," he said.
Opportunity for Emerging Talent
Despite the scheduling challenges, Griffiths views the situation as a chance for emerging players to gain exposure. "This game has been wonderful at giving people an opportunity, at putting them in the shop front," he explained. "Guys that are on the fringe or guys that aren't full-time in a system, NSW Cup or Queensland Cup players. The game has the ability to do that."
Knights' Pre-Season and Other Absences
Meanwhile, Gagai, Best, Lucas, and Knights captain Kalyn Ponga, who is eligible for the Maori side, are also missing Newcastle's first pre-season trial against the Dragons this Saturday at Kogarah. Ponga, recovering from a foot injury, is not expected to play in next week's second trial either.
The Knights are anticipated to have representation in the Maori team through prop Trey Mooney. The Maori side is coached by Adam Blair, who works in the Knights' pathways program. Griffiths, formerly employed by the Knights coaching NRLW and NSW Cup teams, now coaches the Warriors' NRLW team.
The Newcastle Knights were contacted for further comment on these developments.
