Bennett sees big future for All Stars
NRL master coach Wayne Bennett believes the season-opening All Stars concept could become an even bigger event if moved to a larger venue.
Bennett guided the NRL All Stars to a 28-12 win over the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday night to level the ledger at one win apiece after watching his side go down in the inaugural clash in 2010.
Bennett declared the fixture was here to stay with more than 25,000 fans packing into the Gold Coast's Skilled Park, though a move away from the holiday strip could be on the cards.
The match will again be held at Skilled Park as part of the three-year deal struck when the concept was first realised, but Bennett said the match had the potential to attract even more fans.
"I think it will get bigger actually, if we go to bigger stadiums," Bennett said.
"I loved the concept when they started it and I hoped they would ask me to coach it.
"I didn't apply for the job but I got a phone call to see if I wanted to coach it and I accepted it straight away because I believe in what we're doing."
While pleased with the win and happy to be drawing fans through the gates, Bennett believes the game's biggest benefit could be with some of the youngsters involved in the week-long spectacle.
"It's outstanding," Bennett said.
"I watched the Indigenous under-16 team play tonight and thought what a different to their lives this must be.
"They come here for a week and they've got some of the great players in the game around them, some former players, Indigenous, who were wonderful players in their era to influence these young boys.
"It can only be good for them."
Despite the loss, Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley attended the post-match media conference with an ear-to-ear smile.
"We wanted the win, yeah, but the message that the boys had been delivering all week - the Learn, Earn, Legend! - is far more important in the big scheme of things," Daley said.
"Helping kids out, helpingthem make better choices and improving their life.
"All of a sudden they become leaders and they go back into their communities and deliver that message.
"What they're doing at the moment mightn't make a huge difference tomorrow but in 15, 20 years time it will have a massive impact.
Skipper Johnathan Thurston regarded pulling the jersey on as one of the proudest moments of his sparkling career.
And he believes it is a jersey he will get the opportunity to pull on many more times before he retires.
"This concept will be around for a long time," he said.
"We're making a difference for our next generation.
"It's all about our next generation and getting them to make better choices to become leaders in their own community, that's what it's all about.
"I'm very proud to be wearing this jersey, it's an honour."
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