All Star game will be fair dinkum: Webb

Firebrand Cowboys forward Carl Webb has slammed critics questioning how seriously
players are taking Saturday night's All Stars clash at Skilled Park.
Webb, who'll lead the Indigenous pack in the historic pre-season game, plans to make
his intentions known right from the first tackle, especially if he is making it.
The Test and Origin forward teed off at journalists who were constantly asking if it
was going to be a "spirited game" and referring to it as an "exhibition" match.
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," said a riled Webb, his comments
putting the NRL All Star's pack on notice.
"We're all professional rugby league players.
"Of course we're going out there to have a real crack.
"It'll be fair dinkum alright with lots of pride and passion from the boys."
Webb said anyone who thought the players would go easy on each other didn't really
understand how athletes think.
He said the sell-out game would be a celebration of rugby league and had nothing to
do with race or black verses white.
"It's not just a game, it's a cultural occasion for us," he said after a clinic
attended by hundreds of young kids on the Gold Coast on Friday.
"It's a big step in our aboriginal culture, it's bringing all the aboriginal ... the
indigenous community together in Australia.
"It's being felt by everyone, the momentum is building from everywhere.
"It's surprised a lot of people and it's only going to get bigger."
"It's uniting everyone, black or white, it doesn't really matter, we're all
Australians."
All Star centre Michael Jennings said he was looking forward to being part of
history and part of a special game.
The sweet-stepping Panther said that apart from anything else, it was an opportunity
to get a flying start to 2010 and to be among the first to put their names in front
of selectors.
Injuries have spared Jennings the task of going up against Justin Hodges and Greg
Inglis but he said he wasn't taking anything for granted.
"I just want to bring my best game on Saturday night," said the 21-year-old flyer,
who played two Origins for NSW last year and represented Tonga in the World Cup for
Tonga in 2008.
"There's the Anzac Test coming up and representative football and this is a stage
where players can show what they are capable of.
"You don't get those jumpers handed to you and you can't take your foot off the
pedal because there's some wonderful young players out there."
Former Queensland and Australia captain Gorden Tallis backed Webb saying the game
would not lack big hits, aggression or passion from either side.
"To suggest it won't be full on is a bit silly," said Tallis, who was sent off in
State of Origin for his passionate play.
"You've got to play hard, otherwise you get hurt.
"Whether it's the first game or the last game of the season, rugby league is a
contact sport, it's a collision sport and a pretty tough game.
"Our guy will be out their giving 100 per cent, if not, they'll be sitting with me
on the sideline."
Meanwhile, Jamal Idris is in doubt for the Indigenous All Stars after feeling some
pain in his hamstring during training on Friday.
North Queensland's Ty Williams has been called into camp and is on standby.
The match has already lost Billy Slater, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Alan Tongue, PJ
Marsh, Daine Laurie, Dave Taylor and Gareth Ellis.