NRL: Injuries take gloss off All Star game

Darren Lockyer hurt his bicep in the opening tackle of last night’s All Stars clash. Photo / Getty Images

GOLD COAST - Injuries to Brisbane captain Darren Lockyer and Newcastle's Kurt Gidley took some of the gloss off a wonderful inaugural All-Star game at Skilled Park last night.

A brilliant piece of play by man-of-the-match Johnathan Thurston laid on a late try for Jamie Soward to give the Indigenous All Stars a 16-12 win over the NRL All Stars in front of a crowd of 26,687 but the injuries to two key NRL players marred the night.

Gidley was the major concern, sent for scans on Saturday night for a potentially serious knee injury suffered when hit in a heavy tackle by of all people his Newcastle teammate Cory Paterson in the third quarter.

Lockyer hurt his bicep in the opening tackle of the game trying to stop Indigenous forward Carl Webb.

"We're not quite sure what the diagnosis is," said All Star coach Bennett.

"There's a few issues with it.

"We're hoping for the best but it could be the worst. We'll get some scans done tonight."

Lockyer was hopeful if he had a tear in his bicep that it was only a small one.

"I didn't want to go back out on the field and make it worse," said Lockyer.

"I did it in the very first tackle from the kick off.

"It felt a bit funny but then it settled down.

"The doc took a look at it and we decided not to go back."

Bennett said while the injuries were unfortunate, they should not detract from the game.

"Nobody hates those things more than I do," he said.

"But I remember Gene Miles suffering a serious knee injury in a trial in some country town.

"It's just footy and you need trials."

Both Bennett and Indigenous coach Neil Henry said the concept had been a huge success and was here to stay as a pre-season fixture.

"It could have a huge impact on the indigenous community," said Bennett.

"The players gave it everything, they didn't have any more to give.

"It was a great week for everyone, the players, the fans and all the kids who will be proud of their role models."

- AAP