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 Wire me for sound, Sailor tells Bennett 

Wire me for sound, Sailor tells Bennett

25 Nov, 2009 04:00 AM
After learning that TV viewers would be able to listen to Wayne Bennett's comments to his players during February's historic All Stars game, Wendell Sailor asked if he could also be miked up on the field.

The February 13 clash between the Indigenous All Stars and an NRL All Stars side boasting Darren Lockyer and Benji Marshall marks the second anniversary of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the stolen generations.

It is also Sailor's last match and a chance to try new innovations.

The most significant is the opportunity for a side to forego a conversion attempt after scoring a try for the chance to cross again from an additional play starting 20m out from their opponents line. At this time both teams will be able to introduce attacking or defensive players from their interchange benches.

But the game will also give fans a rare insight into the instructions Bennett and Indigenous All Stars coach Neil Henry give their teams during quarter and three-quarter time, while the video referee will provide explanations for his decisions to the Nine Network's commentary team.

The referees and trainers from both teams will also be miked up along with players on the interchange bench but Sailor is keen for fans to hear what he hopes will be a sledging match with St George Illawarra team-mate Brett Morris on the wing.

"I've got my fingers crossed Brett Morris will get a start," Sailor said of the selection process that involves fans voting for one player from each club.

Lockyer, Marshall - the Australian and New Zealand captains - and Kangaroos and Kiwis vice-captains, Cameron Smith and Adam Blair are already in the NRL All Stars team.

"Brett Morris has had an outstanding season and at training he sledges me and tells me to retire, but I go back to him and say at least I'm the best player in my family," Sailor said.

"With the coaches being miked up, if there is an opportunity for a player ... I want to be that player."

Bennett, who has been known to put a towel over the dressing room cameras during a half-time address to players, said he had no problems with the intrusion of microphones or the other innovations to be tried in the game.

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
The banter between cricket players and commentary callers is absolute rubbish,and it will be no different if it is introduced into this game. This particular game has the potential to be one of leagues annual highlights, don,t cheapen it with trivial and poor attempts at humour between players and broadcasters.
Posted by not fooled, 25/11/2009 7:58:58 AM
Yeah, ya right, 'not fooled', but at least the cricket players are of the intelligent type. Could you imagine what rubbish would you hear from the thugby players and associates? "Derrrrrr, I've got a blond trophy wife" "Um, I'm not real sure because I didn't have a weight session", " I can do that cos I'm a thughby head", "look, I just pi&@ed on my shoe" and "Don't ya know who I am? I'm a thughby player and I'll bash ya". Let's not do the commentary thing for thugby league.
Posted by Count, 25/11/2009 1:43:42 PM
Hmmm, let's see: splitting the game into quarters; the option of crossing the line again after scoring a try; bringing on defensive/offensive players between plays. Sounds a lot like a certain American sport I know. You've already got limited tackles. What's next, fellas? Helmets and pads? Or better yet, let's allow one player on each team to pass the ball forward!!!!
Posted by ekaxuf4, 26/11/2009 10:36:04 AM
Whinge, Whinge, Whinge, is all that ever comes out of the mouths of the people of the Illawarra, people who have such small minds that they must bring down anything that they don't agree with. I say let them do it, I for one enjoy the cricket banter and think it would be interesting to hear the Rugby League stars chat.
Posted by J, 26/11/2009 6:22:57 PM
sounds like ya whinging 'J'
Posted by Count, 27/11/2009 9:09:10 AM

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 Wendell Sailor is keen to be heard during the All Stars showdown in February.
Wendell Sailor is keen to be heard during the All Stars showdown in February.
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