The Canberra Raiders and ACT Government are lobbying to snare the NRL All Stars match, but it appears almost impossible that the game would be transferred to Canberra for the city's centenary celebrations in 2013.
Indigenous All Stars coach and former Raiders star Laurie Daley outlined in Fairfax newspapers yesterday his ambition to have the annual All Stars fixture transferred to Canberra to give the match greater political clout.
But The Canberra Times can reveal that the ACT Government and the Raiders have been lobbying the NRL for a big exhibition rugby league match in Canberra next year and made inquiries months ago about the potential of hosting the All Stars game from 2013.
However, the Queensland Government is unlikely to release its grip on the game, at least until its contract with the NRL expires after the 2013 match.
The Gold Coast has staged the first three All Stars contests, but Raiders chief executive Don Furner confirmed Canberra's interest in becoming the next host.
''It's very, very early days,'' Furner said. ''It would be about what funding we can get together, what promotion we can put towards it and whether the Queensland Events Authority are happy to relinquish it.
''This would be ideal if you look at the political angle in terms of reconciliation and what's just happened on Capital Hill [the Australia Day protests]. It's timely that it's held in the nation's capital, we've also got a great representation of indigenous players and always have had.''
Only the North Queensland Cowboys (14 players) have had more representatives than the Raiders (12) in the three years of the All Stars concept.
The Canberra Times understands the Raiders and ACT Government may hold further talks with the NRL next Friday, when NRL clubs are expected to sign a new members agreement at the long-anticipated launch of the Independent Commission in Sydney.
Bringing big sporting events to Canberra is on the agenda for the ACT Government in 2013. The ACT has already been linked with attempts to get major cricket and soccer events.
The ACT Government would not confirm any details of talks with the NRL but released a statement to The Canberra Times yesterday.
''The ACT Government is working closely with the Raiders and are in dialogue with the NRL investigating opportunities for bringing top line rugby league fixtures to Canberra.''
Pressed further, ACT Sports Minister Andrew Barr, said the All Stars game would be a boost to the Canberra sporting scene but only if financially viable.
''We're going to be investing in both Manuka Oval and Canberra Stadium over the next period so we want more content and we'll work on that,'' Mr Barr said.
NRL spokesperson John Brady all but ruled out moving the All Stars from Queensland next year but did not discount a future bid.
''We've got an agreement in place with the Queensland Government [in 2013], they've been extremely supportive and once that's done we'll look at options going forward. Certainly we'd look at any strong case,'' Brady said. ''Canberra's always been a city to put forward a strong case for events.''
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