An inspired performance from Sharks trio Jack Bird, Andrew Fifita & Wade Graham has seen the Indigenous All Stars run out 34 points to 8 victors over Gerard Beale’s NRL World All Stars.
It was Bird himself who opened the night’s scoring in just the fourth minute of play, as the 21-year-old star finished off a long-range effort to see the Indigenous side out by four.
Indigenous Co-captain Johnathan Thurston duly converted from in front of the posts, extending the margin to six-points.
In a rapid start to the match, Blake Ferguson ran in a second try for the Indigenous side, though Thurston was unable to convert from nearer the touchline at the second time of asking.
The Titans’ Ashley Taylor extended the margin to 16, before the World side sprang into action with a pair of quick-fire tries to ensure the contest remained ripe.
Broncos’ recruit David Mead was the first to cross for the World All Stars, as Nene MacDonald lessened the deficit to eight points at the sound of the half-time siren.
Normalities resumed at the change of ends, as the Indigenous side crossed for their fourth try of the match.
A streaking run from Eels’ flyer Bevan French ended with Thurston touching down for a try, and the Cowboys’ pivot again slotted the extra two points from the tee.
Thurston turned provider for his side’s fifth, as a pin-point kick across the field sent Dane Gagai in to score untouched.
The Panthers’ Leilani Latu capped the night with a solo effort in the 70th minute, with Aidan Sezer’s conversion taking the side out by 26, and rounding out the last of the scoring.
In preliminary news out of the match, the Sharks on show came through the match unscathed.
The quartet will to travel back to Southern Cross Group Stadium on Saturday, before then venturing to the UK with the Sharks in preparations for the World Club Challenge.
INDIGENOUS ALL STARS – 34
Tries – Bird, Ferguson, Taylor, Thurston, Gagai, Latu | Goals – Thurston (4/5), Sezar (1/1)
Def. WORLD ALL STARS – 8
Tries – Mead, MacDonald | Goals – Croker (0/2)
