Johnathon Thurston believes there are so many benefits of the Indigenous All Stars match that it is absolutely crucial that the game remains on the rugby league calendar.

With the game  to be put on hold in 2018 due to the World Cup, the future of the game is again being called into question.

But Thurston (pictured) says the benefit gained by  the young players like Bevan French and Ash Taylor playing alongside the greats and the lessons they can learn on the field must not be lost in the future.