NRL

The Rabbitohs announced the news on Sunday along with the news of contract extensions for young players Angus Crichton and Hymel Hunt.

Former Australian Schoolboys representative Crichton, 19, will join the Rabbitohs' full-time squad next season and has signed a deal keeping him at the club until 2018.

Outside back Hunt, 22, joins Souths from Melbourne on a one-year deal.

"We're pleased to be adding Hymel to our squad and to be extending the contract of young Angus as well," Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said.

While coaching the Maroons remains a career goal of Green’s, he said the timing wasn’t right to take up the role next year.

“I am extremely flattered by the QRL’s interest in me coaching the Maroons. I’m humbled by the overtures and coaching the Maroons is something I am hugely passionate about,” said Green, who played seven Origin games for Queensland from 1999-2001.

“I’ve decided to concentrate on coaching the Cowboys in season 2016, putting all my energies into having another successful season.

It will include stars of the calibre of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Fijian Semi Radradra, James Graham and Martin Taupau.

Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley and World All Stars coach Wayne Bennett named their teams in Brisbane on Tuesday, with both expecting it to be one of the best in the six years of the match.

Sam Burgess (World All Stars) and James Roberts (Indigenous All Stars) have been included in their respective squads, subject to finalising NRL contracts before the match is played.

"This is such a special game for our players," Daley said.

Unwanted by Canberra after 133 games with the club, McCrone signed a two-year deal with the Dragons in October, adding depth and versatility to McGregor's squad with his ability to play halfback, five-eighth or hooker.

The former Temora Dragons junior spent seven years with the Raiders but was keen for a change of scenery after playing just four games in 2015 under coach Ricky Stuart.

"I'm happy Mary (McGregor) has given me the opportunity to come here and start fresh," McCrone said after Monday morning's training session in Wollongong.

In what has been a year to forget for the game in Vanuatu, the latest blow threatened to be the most devastating of all with the cancellation of flights over several days leaving the vast majority of Port Vila players stranded.

The NRL, SPC, the Australian National University and the Australian Government have joined forces to stage a Pacific leadership workshop for NRL Pasifika Ambassadors and enable them to assist in development projects in Australia and throughout the Pacific region. 

Around 44% of NRL players have Pacific Islands’ heritage.

After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, Nine will screen matches four days a week starting in 2018, in a deal worth "up to $925" million, the NRL said.

The NRL said it was the biggest deal in free-to-air TV history.

The number of live games on free-to-air TV will increase from the present two to four, with matches to be played during prime time on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday at 4pm.

NRL chief executive Dave Smith said the deal had secured the long term future of the game.'