Power play doesn't work.

The NRL Indigenous All Stars defeated the NRL All Stars 16-12 in a high intense game at Skilled Park last week. While the game signalled the end of Wendell Sailor's career, it kick started that of Sam Burgess' who was called into the NRL All Star side without making his first grade début for South Sydney. It was encouraging to see that he didn't show himself up unlike so many British players plying their trade on the other side of the world.

The match was one of many trials and tribulations, Sam Burgess' appearance was one of the less significant ones on a night that could see the beginning of a new era for the sport of rugby league. Considering the game was merely an exhibition game, similar to that of the NFL Pro Bowl or the NBA All Star game, it gave the organisers a chance to implement and test a set of new rules designed to make the game more appealing. Well, when I say appealing, I actually mean similar to American Football.

The big changes were to split the game into four quarters and the introduction of a power play opportunity after a try is scored. While the split into four quarters may also have been down to the fact the Gold Coast is one of the hottest places on earth in mid February. It also gave Channel Nine, the host broadcaster, a perfect chance for extra revenue through advertising.

I prefer to see rugby league split into two halfs, so with this in mind I would rather see the game be stopped for five minutes after a break in play mid way through the half for what can be called a 'water break'. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened in both the NRL or Super League. The game can then restart where it left off without a needless kick off to restart the half.

Secondly, I don't think the power play worked and showed to be another gimmick to draw in the fans.

The idea was that play restarted on a white circle 25 metres from the try line. The try scoring team had one play in an attempt to score another try. If play was interfered with a knock on, penalty to the defending side, an interception or a tackle then the game would be restarted with a kick off as usual. The attacking team were not allowed to kick the ball, which meant at one point the attacking team was forced back to almost their halfway line.

I think the biggest flaw in this was that too many players were on the field. Yes, the defending team were forced to lose their fullback to make it 13 v 12, but it really wasn't much of an advantage. The way it was played and the restarts made it look like a training session. This aspect of the game just didn't appeal to me.

I'm happy to see these new rules implemented in what is essentially an exhibition game, but under no circumstances should the rules be brought into the NRL competition and further the rule interpretations between Super League and the Australian game. With the build up to the 2013 World Cup beginning this week, its important that we build on the success of the 2008 tournament, and not lose the credibility of the game before a ball has been kicked.

Overall the quality of the All-Star game was impressive. For a game played in 30 degree heat at the peak of the Australian summer on the Gold Coast, it was a credit to see these men provide such quality entertainment in testing conditions.