Penrith beat Warriors in trial

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Penrith Panther ... recruit Lewis Brown stars in trial win over Warriors. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Penrith second-rower Lewis Brown returned to New Zealand to play a key role in inflicting a second NRL pre-season defeat on former club the Warriors.

The Panthers showed more cohesion in running out convincing 32-18 winners in Hamilton on Saturday, scoring six tries to four.

The Christchurch-born Brown, who joined the Panthers in the summer after four seasons with the Warriors, scored two tries and had a hand in another.

The result made it two wins from two for Penrith, who pipped Wests Tigers in their first trial of the year.

The Warriors have lost both theirs, after they went down to Gold Coast last weekend.

Warriors coach Matthew Elliott said he will look to improve his teams ruck speed before the season begins on March 7.

"We got beaten up on the ground today," Elliott said.

"Their ruck speed as opposed to ours was light years away. We spend a lot of time addressing that. We need to spend more time on it."

Elliott also believed the structure he had given the players had hindered their fluency, but said it was something that was simple to tweak.

"Just the way we were executing it got in the way today," he said.

"It's really easy to address. The guys were good. They were trying to comply with it, but it just hindered us."

Both teams finished with injuries, the seriousness to be confirmed.

Warriors second-rower Ben Henry tweaked an ankle while Panthers halfback Luke Walsh went off in the first half with what coach Ivan Cleary described as an upper thigh injury.

"We hoping it's not too bad, but he'll need a scan and we'll see where it goes," Cleary said.

"That's our biggest worry at the moment."

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Despite the Panthers' convincing win, the Warriors did produce a second-half fight-back with tries to young outside back Ngani Laumape, Kevin Locke and Glen Fisiiahi.

However it was short lived, the Panthers responded with tries to Lachlan Coote and Mansour to ensure they were always comfortably ahead.

The Warriors, fielding many of their frontline players for the first time, made an excellent start.

Shaun Johnson's improvised chip-and-regather was followed by a cross-field kick that Manu Vatuvei chased down to score.

But Brown's double, as well as tries to Mansour and Wes Naiqama, tipped the contest firmly in Penrith's favour.

PENRITH 32 (J Mansour 2 L Brown 2 D Simmons L Coote tries L Walsh 2 W Naiqama B Austin goals) beat WARRIORS 18 (M Vatuvei N Laumape K Locke G Fisiiahi tries S Johnson goal) at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.

Referee: Henry Perenara, Chris James.

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Black Caviar's triumphant return

Champion ... Black Caviar and Luke Nolan surges to another win. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Champion sprinter Black Caviar has made a triumphant return with a commanding victory in the race renamed in her honour at Flemington.

Commencing what is expected to be her final campaign, the six-year-old is now undefeated in 23 starts following the all-the-way win under regular jockey Luke Nolen in the 1000m straight-course feature now known as the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.

It's the third straight time the Peter Moody-trained star has won the race.

Racing for the first time since her triumph in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot last June, Black Caviar slammed her rivals in a course record time with stablemates Moment Of Change and Golden Archer second and third respectively.

"I'm just so proud of her... I'm a little bit emotional for the first time, shit it's good to have her back,'' Moody said.

The win moves the sprinter to within one of Kingstown Town's record of 14 group one wins.

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NRL club guide: Wests Tigers

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Benji Marshall ... will be key to the Tigers' sucess in 2013. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

As the 2013 NRL season looms, we look at the prospects of Wests Tigers as Josh Massoud predicts Mick Potter could be sorely tested.

The desire to avenge last year's failure is ringing loudly, but otherwise the volume has been turned right down at Concord this season.

Declared outright premiership favourites 12 months ago, Wests Tigers are no longer the talk of the town following the most radical overhaul since the joint venture was formed in 2000.

THE VERDICT

Premiership favourites this time last year, the Tigers haven't rated a mention among the prime contenders 12 months later. And that's to be expected, given the enormous cultural overhaul that's taken place at Concord with the departure of Chris Heignington, Beau Ryan and coach Tim Sheens. New mentor Mick Potter has a clean slate to stamp his authority, but he'll be sorely tested should starting props Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway not last the season.

X-FACTOR
Marika Koroibete (Supercoach price: $259,900)

Storming from the Fijian highlands with a four try haul in just his second NRL appearance, Koroibete was the most unlikely find of 2012. His imposing physique and explosive speed has gone to another level over the summer, ensuring the 20-year-old winger will be one of the competition's most talked-about players this year.

ROOKIE MONSTER
David Nofoaluma

Wingers don't normally determine matches, but they were the driving force behind the club's Under 20s premiership-winning campaign last year. On the opposite flank to Koroibete was former Australian Schoolboy Nofoaluma, with the pair frequently combining to haul their team out of trouble and finish attacking raids.

PREDICTION: 11th

GAINS
Braith Anasta (Roosters), Eddy Pettybourne (Souths), Bodene Thompson (Titans), James Gavet (Bulldogs)

LOSSES
Chris Heighnington (Sharks), Beau Ryan (Sharks), Ray Cashmere (Retired), Tom Humble (Panthers), Junior Moors (Storm), Gareth Ellis (Huddersfield)

Gone is coach long-serving Tim Sheens and a number of support staff, including football manager Brian Hyder.

Then came the stunning defections of club favourites Chris Heighington and Beau Ryan to Cronulla, on top of Gareth Ellis's premature return to England. 

Taking into account Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita's departure the previous year, the changes represent the end of an era and the dawn on a new culture under rookie NRL coach Mick Potter Understandably, the adjustment has taken some time and still isn't complete ahead of tonight's trial against Parramatta at Campbelltown.

"It's been a lot quieter without those guys here," winger Lote Tuqiri observed.

"We still miss them every now and again, but we've had to move on just as they have.

"There's not been as much nonsense around training, even though we've still got a few jokers left like Liam Fulton.

"There's not as much mucking around as we did before, but in time that will all come."

Under Potter - the coach who returned home eying a job in the coal mines after working without pay at insolvent Bradford for much of last season - Wests have embraced a more workmanlike persona.

Equipped with attacking weapons such as Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall, Chris Lawrence and Tuqiri, Wests have routinely backed themselves to score simply score points than the opposition.

But this summer the emphasis has been on stopping the points, thus putting less pressure on the usual suspects to conjure victory.

"We've certainly worked a bit more on our defence this year," Tuqiri said.

"And there's been no leniency towards the older guys or the younger guys.

"Everyone gets the treated the same.

"We're known as an attacking machine, but our defensive game needs to improve and with the amount of work we've done I hope we'll be a lot better."

Potter has vowed not to "re-invent the wheel" with ball in hand, but wants the team's playmakers to be less individually minded.

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Stay tuned as we roll out our NRL team previews in the countdown to the start of the season

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"This has been a very well coached team for a long time," Potter said.

"They lost something like six games by less than four points last year, and if they won a few of those them I'm not sitting here talking to you.

"They like to play their plays and with guys like Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall, who wouldn't you?

"I don't want to squash that. It's not only entertaining, but it also wins football matches.

"Sometimes they've over-cooked things and we just need to temper what we do.

"We need to keep all things in mind - the scoreboard, the clock, who's just come on the field and what's right for the team."

While Farah, Marshall and star recruit Braith Anasta will undoubtedly be the focus, their talents can't be exploited should the Tigers re-encounter shortages up front.

As was the case last year, their engine room appears an experienced big man short of the ideal mix.

Starting front row combination Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway could well spearhead NSW, but a serious injury to either will expose one of the competition's smaller packs against monster from Canterbury, Newcastle and the Roosters.

"Gareth Ellis will be a big loss because he was the leader of our pack," Tuqiri said.

"So there's a real opportunity for some of the younger guys to step up, and we've got Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway, who I think are Origin material.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing what they can do." 

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Spinner Agar a bolter for Chennai

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Bolter ... Teenage spinner Ashton Agar continues to impress in India. Source: Adam Armstrong / News Limited

Australian captain and selector Michael Clarke says there's a big chance 19-year-old spinner Ashton Agar will be picked for the three-day game against India A starting on Saturday in Chennai.

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The potential Test bolter has played only two first-class games for Western Australia.

Melbourne-born Agar, on tour as a net bowler, played Australia's opening two-day game against the India Board XI as many senior players remained in Australia to finish the one-day series against the West Indies.

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The full squad has assembled in Chennai but coach and selector Mickey Arthur has decided to keep the promising Agar rather than send him home to Perth this weekend as planned.

Clarke is yet to name the side for the three-day game, a first-class fixture, although the decision to retain Agar suggests he's in contention for selection not only in the three-day game but also the first Test on February 22.

"Ash bowled really well in the two-day game,'' Clarke said on Friday.

"I know he's pretty happy that he's been told he's staying on for this three-day match.

"There's a big chance he'll play in that game.

"The main reason is to make sure we're looking at all our resources to give ourselves the best chance for that first Test match.

"It's exciting. He's having a good time. It's great to have him on board.''

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Agar took 1-27 off eight overs in an impressive performance on Wednesday against the India Board XI, while frontline spinner Nathan Lyon claimed 3-69 off 13 overs and offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell took 1-20 off four overs.

Australia's other frontline spinner Xavier Doherty was rested, having only arrived in India late the previous night, but is pushing for selection in the three-day match.

Lyon, Agar and Doherty could all play in a virtual bowl-off for Test spots.

Clarke has resumed jogging following hamstring stiffness last week but might not play the three-dayer while opener David Warner is likely to be rested as he continues to recover from a fractured thumb.

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Bridges playing for A-League future

Michael Bridges ... will aim to impress when given a rare chance to start for the Jets. Source: Robert Mckell / News Limited

Veteran striker Michael Bridges plans to use a rare start to show why he should remain a Newcastle Jets player beyond this A-League season.

The 34-year-old Englishman is set for his first start of the season as Jets coach Gary van Egmond looks to mix things up in Friday night's clash with Melbourne Heart at Hunter Stadium.

Bridges has been out of favour for much of the A-League season, limited to eight appearances off the bench, and has been told by the club he won't be offered a new contract next season.

But the former Leeds striker is not giving up hope yet, and sees his recall to the team not only an opportunity to impress his own coach but also potential suitors from other clubs.

"First and foremost, you want to audition and get something here," Bridges said on Thursday.

"That's the opportunity (I've got) and, if not, it is a showpiece to carry on playing football (somewhere else).

"But at the end of the day, I'm a Jets player and we want to win this bloody game.

"... I'd like to think (I can change the manager's mind) with goals and chances and wins. Wins help."

The Jets dropped out of the top six after a 2-1 loss to Western Sydney last week, and van Egmond has seemingly run out of patience with some of his under-performing players.

Socceroos striker Adam Taggart is also likely to form part of the attack alongside Bridges and Emile Heskey.

Bridges and Heskey will reunite after playing for England's under 19s together and Bridges hoped the veteran duo could offer something fresh.

"I think it's 17 years on we're getting the chance to have a gig together again," Bridges said.

"We do it in training regularly and to put it out there's going to be great.

"We've both got footballing brains and played at the highest level - hopefully we can bring something different."

Taylor Regan and Dominik Ritter could also come into the side in defence at the expense of Josh Mitchell and Scott Neville.

The Heart have been boosted with Dutch recruit Marcel Meeuwis receiving his international clearance and likely to play some part in the match.

John Aloisi's side have to correct an awful recent record away from home, taking just one point from their past nine games on the road.

"It's vital we start picking up points because, if we want to make finals, you have to win away from home," Aloisi said.

"And if we do make finals, it's more than likely we'll have to play away from home."

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Pistorius kills girlfriend

Tragedy ... South African Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius. Source: ROBERT MICHAEL / AFP

Paralympic and Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, it has been reported.

Pistorius allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend in the early hours of Thursday morning, apparently after thinking she was an intruder, Beeld reported.

Known as the Blade Runner, Pistorius has won six Paralympic gold medals including two at London 2012.

A double below-the-knee amputee since childhood who runs on J-shaped carbon fibre prostheses, Pistorius made history in 2012 when he became the first amputee to compete in the Olympics.

At 4am South African time this morning, he appears to have used a gun in self defence against what he may have thought was a home invasion.

Almost six million South Africans have guns, and the nation has one of the world's highest gun ownership rates at 12.7 forearms per 100 people.

Pistorius lives in Pretoria, which was recently named one of the most dangerous places in the country when it comes to house robberies.

A recent report named the city as one of the top 20 most dangerous and violent areas to live in.

The capital also has four suburbs in the 10 most dangerous places to live in South Africa when it comes to attempted murder, rape, street robberies and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (assault GBH).

Pistorius is reportedly in police custody and will appear in court this Thursday in South Africa. Pretoria is nine hours behind Australian Eastern Daylight Time.

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A-League considers relegation model

Big plans ... FFA boss David Gallop. Source: News Limited

Australian soccer could have an FA Cup style competition by 2015 and a promotion-relegation system in the A-League within five years, Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop says.

FFA paved the way for these exciting developments by announcing a restructuring of Australia's semi-professional state leagues to produce a national play-off series.

Gallop confirmed a report that promotion to and from the A-League could happen within five years but said the FFA didn't have a specific timeline on it.

He added that work was underway on an FA Cup style competition to be called the FFA Cup but said that wouldn't happen before 2015.

"I think we are all committed to an FFA Cup coming into fruition but we need to make sure the A-League is bedded down before we embark on such a big venture," Gallop said.

"But there is an appetite to do it and there's already people at the FFA working on it."

Under the new state league model to be phased in over the next two years, each state and territory will be run by the member federation but under the one National Premier League banner.

Their competitions will run from March to September with the winners to play-off in a knockout competition to find a national champion.

"It's an exercise of two years in the making. A lot of consultation of the stakeholders in the game but this is really a landmark thing for the development of Australian football," Gallop said.

"It means that our semi-pro state league clubs which have long been the engine room of our player development systems will have a fresh focus across the country."

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Stoner set standard: Dovizioso

Casey Stoner ... set the standard for MotoGP riders. Source: William West / AAP

MotoGP has lost a yardstick for the sport with the retirement of Casey Stoner, according to new factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso.

The Italian said the Australian dual world champion was one of the greatest innovators of the elite series.

Stoner retired last year after becoming disenchanted with the sport and is set to race V8 Supercars this year.

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Gallery: Casey Stoner's career in pictures

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Dovizioso, who will try to do something this year only Stoner could manage - win a world title on a Ducati, described his former rival as a racer everyone tried to emulate.

Seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi might have more silverware, but it was Stoner who was the standout rider of his era, Dovizioso said.

"A lot is going to change,'' Dovizioso said.

"Since I am a fan of bikes, to see Casey ride was a show and I am going to miss what he could do and how he did it on the bike with his style.

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Need for Speed. Stoner, Webber and Whincup go head-to-head!

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"It is going to be easier, of course, because a competitor like him is always difficult to beat, but I think Casey changed a lot in MotoGP.

"For example, the approach to testing and the lines he took on the track. All riders try to study and improve and Casey was one of the riders that we took as a reference.''

He placed Stoner above Rossi in terms of talent.

"If you look at the past, nobody was able to go strong and fast from the first or second lap.

"I recall when Valentino was dominating that in the post-race tests, he could - within four laps - do the same lap as the record in the race.

"Casey could do this on the first lap.

"But we have all become aware that this can be done and we can all try and do it. Not having a strong and talented reference, though, is something we are all going to miss.''

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Coulthard backs Webber's longevity

Mark Webber ... can drive on in Formula One, says David Coulthard. Source: Mark Baker / AAP

Mark Webber will be 37 this year but his former Red Bull teammate David Coulthard says the Australian could continue in Formula One for several years.

Coulthard says Webber is driving as well as ever and there would be no logical reason for the team to unseat him simply because he is the oldest driver in the field.

Webber is caught between his triple world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel, who has continually out-performed him and compatriot Daniel Ricciardo, the West Australian Toro Rosso driver who is eyeing his seat.

But Coulthard says Ricciardo may have to put his ambitions on ice.

"Daniel has very good respect within Red Bull Racing,'' Coulthard said.

"That's the dilemma Red Bull have.

"I'm sure Daniel would be entirely capable, but as a team, you want to keep the equilibrium if it's working.

"If the cake is turning out good every time, you keep putting in the same ingredients.''

However, the situation could abruptly change this season for both Webber and Ricciardo.

If Webber proves to be uncompetitive and Ricciardo has a standout season with the Red Bull number two team, the younger driver could replace him.

Webber has won at least one grand prix each year since his breakthrough victory in Germany in 2009.

But, despite winning the Monaco and British races - each for the second time - last year, the season was his worst championship finish since 2008.

He was sixth in the points and will need to improve his form to fend off Ricciardo.

Webber's time at Red Bull has been good and bad - good because he has had the car to win races and bad because he has had a quicker teammate.

"Had it not been for Sebastian Vettel, Mark would have been maybe a multiple world champion,'' Coulthard said.

"The future is in Mark's hands.

"He's a great racing driver and has won nine grand prix, some of them fantastic like a couple of times at Silverstone and Monaco, two very different and challenging race tracks that show the depth of his talent.

"The reality is that if Mark continues to do what he's been doing over the last couple of years, there's no reason Mark Webber's former why he wouldn't continue.''

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Heart bring in Dutch reinforments

Addition ... John Aloisi should have a new midfield option this weekend. Source: Salpigtidis George / News Limited

Melbourne Heart have added Dutch midfielder Marcel Meeuwis to bolster their A-League squad after losing several key players.

The 32-year-old arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday and trained with the fifth-placed Heart, who he will represent for the rest of this season.

But he still needs an international clearance to play in Friday night's pivotal clash with seventh-placed Newcastle.

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The defensive midfielder's previous clubs include Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord and the German Bundesliga's Borussia Monchengladbach.

"With the combined losses of Vince Grella (retired), Aziz Behich and Michael Marrone (overseas transfers) we needed to add depth and quality to the squad,'' Heart football operations manager John Didulica said.

"In Marcel we have certainly done that.

"Marcel's pedigree will ensure we are well served across midfield and the options we have available across the line-up are multiplied.

"Marcel will add significant tactical knowledge to the squad and bring significant industry and energy.''

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AFL won't tell suspected drugs club

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Notification ... Andrew Demetriou discusses the doping investigation. Source: David Caird / News Limited

The AFL won't tell the club with a suspected performance-enhancing drug user that they've been named in the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) investigation despite being given permission to do so.

The ACC on Monday said it had granted both the AFL and NRL permission to notify specific clubs that were identified in Project Aperio, the 12-month investigation into drugs in sport.

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However, the leagues have not been cleared to tell the clubs the specific reasons they have been identified.

This means that while the AFL could inform the club involved that it was identified by the ACC, the league can not tell the club it has a player suspected of having used performance-enhancing drugs.

There are only two AFL clubs identified in relation to suspected performance-enhancing drug use.

Essendon is one, with the Bombers under investigation to determine whether several of their players took performance-enhancing drugs, possibly without knowledge they were doing so.

The other club, whose identity is known to the AFL, has just one player suspected of performance-enhancing drug use, although the league doesn't know the name of the player or even whether he is still on the club's list.

Several other AFL clubs - reportedly as many as nine, although the league won't confirm that number - have been identified in the investigation as being vulnerable to illicit drug use.

An AFL spokesman said the league did not plan to specifically inform the clubs identified in the ACC investigation.

The spokesman said all clubs had already been told by Victorian and federal police at the AFL's recent drugs summit that they were vulnerable to illicit drugs.

The AFL can only tell clubs they have been identified in the investigation as vulnerable to prohibited drugs - which could include either illicit or performance-enhancing drugs.

Given they have already warned all clubs on the illicit drugs front, they won't be informing specific clubs that they were identified in the report, the spokesman said.

"No, because we have already said in terms of illicit drugs that's an issue for our entire competition,'' the AFL spokesman said.

"When we had a meeting on illicit drugs, we had federal police and Victorian police tell clubs that was an issue so the entire competition has been briefed on that.

"We are not allowed to break down individually what a club is mentioned in the report for.''

But AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou earlier said the league would like to be able to inform the club which has one suspected performance-enhancing drug user of that fact.

"Yes and we'll be seeking that clarification from the Australian Crime Commission,'' Demetriou told reporters.

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Culina's Sydney contract terminated

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Bust-up ... Culina and Farina had a training ground falling out which was irreparable.   Source:AAP

Jason Culina's contract at Sydney FC has been terminated following a training ground bust-up with coach Frank Farina.

The club and player have parted ways by mutual consent, and it is as yet unknown where the Socceroos midfielder will end up.

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A Sydney FC statement revealed that the player, his management and Sky Blues CEO Tony Pignata came to the arrangement on Monday afternoon.

"We would like to wish Jason the best of luck with the rest of his football career," said Pignata.

Culina made eight appearances for the Sky Blues, scoring two goals, and thanked Sydney FC for the opportunity to continue his football career.

"I would like to thank Sydney FC for assisting me with my rehabilitation and my return to football," said Culina.

"I would like to thank the Board, management, coaching staff, players and especially physiotherapist Stan Ivancic.

"The circumstances surrounding my departure are unfortunate but I feel fit and strong and I am determined to continue my playing career in the future."

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Barba demands slice of Origin

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Showcase ... Ben Barba is making it hard for Queensland selectors to ignore him.   Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

Johnathan Thurston says Queensland selectors can no longer ignore Ben Barba after the dynamic duo combined to catapult the Indigenous All Stars to a commanding 32-6 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Having terrorised his NRL rivals last year, Barba sprinkled his magic over the code yet again, celebrating a hat-trick of tries in an emphatic statement to Maroons coach Mal Meninga.

It has been a turbulent week for Australian sport amid doping allegations but in Barba, the reigning Dally M Medallist, rugby league has a posterboy for the seductive power of raw, clean-living athleticism.

No amount of peptides could have helped the NRL All Stars thwart Barba, who crossed in the 11th, 20th and 31st minutes to give the Indigenous side their first victory since 2010.

Before a record crowd of 41,021 for the All Stars event, the Indigenous were never headed, winger Reece Robinson delivering the coup de grace with three second-half tries after his side led 18-6 at halftime.

Thurston (head) and Barba (left hamstring) failed to finish the game, but it is understood the injuries are not serious and both will be available for upcoming trials.

Billy Slater may be entrenched in the Queensland No.1 jumper but Maroons pivot Thurston says Barba would relish an Origin breakthrough this season as interchange strike weapon.

Asked if Barba is ready for his Queensland baptism, Thurston said: "You would think so ... a hat-trick tonight on the back of last season, he has a lot of confidence there at the Bulldogs under Des Hasler.

"We have a wealth off talent but he could come off the bench and play a few positions.

"I played a lot of football alongside Billy, he is the best fullback I've seen.

"Benny brings you a different style of fullback but Billy has the (fullback) jersey sewn up for a while.

"But Benny is a tremendous player, no doubt about that, you just give him space and he does the rest."

Indigenous coach Laurie Daley, who could be plotting against Barba as NSW mentor this season, was blown away by Barba's omni-presence.

"Some of the stuff he does is freakish," he said.

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"You can't coach it because it's so natural, guys like Benny are instinctive, when the opportunity comes they seize it and know what option to take."

Asked about the seriousness of Barba's injury, Daley said: "He started to cramp, he didn't feel a tear, he thinks he will be OK."

NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett lamented his side's lack of execution as Thurston and Barba feasted on unforced errors.

"There was good skill but ours didn't match theirs," Bennett said.

"The speed it was played at, they handled that well, but we kept ourselves under pressure with the execution.

"Ben (Barba) was always on the ball, that's what he does so well, if the ball is around, he isn't far off it."

NRL skipper Benji Marshall added: "You give too much ball to guys like Thurston, Barba and (Scott) Prince and they will hurt you.

"It was a one-sided night."

Any concerns about the bona fides of the All Stars concept were emphatically dispelled last night.

The litany of stars were reason enough. Factor in a bumper crowd, the type associated with an Origin game at Suncorp, and the case for an All Stars axing must be firmly closed.

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Watto's not taking my spot: Cowan

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Opener ... Ed Cowan is under pressure at the top of the order. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Australian opener Ed Cowan says he welcomes the return of vice-captain Shane Watson to the Test side, but it won't come at his expense.

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Cowan on Sunday defended his record as opener with David Warner.

Watson has voiced his continued interest in returning to the opening slot after scoring 83 at No.4 in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Melbourne in December, then missing the Sydney Test with a calf injury.

The star allrounder's decision to shelve his interest in bowling at the moment due to injury concerns has removed the issue of how his position in the batting order affects his bowling workload.

Watson says opening is where he feels most comfortable.

"I've had my most success there in Test cricket especially,'' Watson said.

Watson's blazing form as an opener in the one-day series against the West Indies in Australia, with scores of 122 and 76 on Wednesday and Friday respectively, has fuelled the speculation.

"I'm not here to put extra pressure on Ed at all,'' added Watson, who's due to join Cowan in Chennai in the next few days.

"All I've said is the reasons why I got moved down the order were mainly to do with my bowling, to get the balance right.''

Cowan says Watson has shown he can bat anywhere in Australia's top six.

"I'm quite comfortable with myself and Davey (Warner) opening the batting,'' Cowan said.

"We've been the most successful opening partnership over the last 14 months both in terms of volume of runs and average per innings.

"So I can't see why anyone would suggest they'd want to break that partnership up.

"But it will be great to have Shane in good form, batting somewhere in the top six.''

Cowan will play in Australia's opening tour match against an Indian Board President's XI at Chennai's Guru Nanak College Ground on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cowan said the question of Watson possibly returning to opening was no issue at all within the team's ranks.

"The public want to have their say and we understand that. There's nothing I can do but score runs and enjoy trying to win Test matches for Australia,'' the 13-Test player said.

"The trial-by-public takes care of itself if you're scoring runs.

"Shane Watson has had a great one-day series but so has George Bailey. I don't think we can read into one-day form particularly much.

"I'm sure Shane will contribute wherever he's told to bat.

"If I'm doing all that I can and scoring runs, then Shane Watson opening the batting doesn't become an issue.''

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