Traditionally a pre-season curtain-raiser, there are growing fears the All Stars concept is gradually being watered down. It's understood there's growing backing for alternative model that would see the All Stars game played just once every four years, aligned with the World Cup cycle. The All Stars game carries enormous significance for the Indigenous community, which continues to produce some of the best talents. “I think having an Indigenous team in the Pacific Championships would be massive as well as a Maori team.” As the NRL weighs it's options, the message from those closest to the game is simple, that the All Stars is bigger than a scheduling slot.