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South Sydney halfback Chris Sandow today celebrated winning the inaugural George Green Medal as the NRL’s Indigenous Rising Star with selection in the Indigenous squad to play at the Rugby League World Cup.
Canberra coach Neil Henry will guide the Indigenous team who play New Zealand Maori as part of the Rugby League World Cup’s Opening Ceremony festivities at the Sydney Football Stadium on October 26.
Sandow was the standout nominee for the George Green Medal – named in honour of the first indigenous player to play rugby league.
The 19-year-old has been a revelation since making his NRL debut in round 13, helping the Rabbitohs to seven wins from their past 12 games after they had won just one of their first 11 fixtures.
“I was stoked just to play one game, now to get this award, it’s a massive honour,” Sandow said.
“I haven’t really had time to think about it, probably when the season finishes I’ll be able to look back on the season.
“I’m just really enjoying my footy at the moment and I think that helps.”
NRL chief executive David Gallop claimed the level of talent within the nominees, which included Bulldogs points-scoring machine Ben Barba and creative St George Illawarra lock Matt Mundine showed the game was in good hands.
“It’s great to see the next generation of indigenous stars, some of the biggest names in the game have indigenous heritage and the game is lucky to have such gifted athletes,” Gallop said.
“It’s a reminder that the game’s producing great athletes and great opportunities for gifted athletes.”
The rewards kept coming for Sandow today after he won a place in the 70-man Indigenous squad.
The match is a measure of the growing level of indigenous participation in the NRL, with an estimated 11 per cent of NRL players having an Indigenous heritage.
The squad contains some of the game’s biggest names, though the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges are unlikely to be available given their almost certain inclusion in the Australian World Cup squad.
Had Henry been given the opportunity to work with a full strength squad, there is no doubt an Indigenous side would be a leading contender for the World Cup.
Imagine it, Matty Bowen at fullback with try-scoring wizard Nathan Merritt and Dragons veteran Wendell Sailor on the wings.
Likely Test combination Inglis and Hodges could fill the centres with Queensland Origin playmakers Thurston and Scott Prince in the halves.
The pack would take a power of stopping Sam Thaiday, Cory Patterson and Dean Widders in the backrow, while North Queensland firebrand Carl Webb and Wests Tigers rookie Daine Laurie could form a devastating front row alongside hooker PJ Marsh.
Indigenous squad:
Fullbacks: David Peachey (Roving Ambassador), Preston Campbell (Titans) Rhys Wesser, Jarrod Sammut (Penrith), Nathan Merritt (Souths), Amos Roberts (Roosters), Josh Hoffman (Broncos), Ben Orcher (Sharks), Marty Paulsen (Knights), Jade Williams (Central Coast) Wingers: Ty Williams, Obadiah Geia, Sam Bowie (Cowboys), Brenton Bowen, Esi Tonga, Ben Jeffries (Titans), Justin Carney (Raiders), Michael Lett, Wendell Sailor (Dragons), Jharal Yow Yeh and Reece Robinson (Broncos), Michael Bani (Manly), Travis Robinson (Sharks), Dane Nielson (Storm), Rod Jensen (UK) Centres: Greg Inglis, Will Chambers (Storm), Justin Hodges (Broncos), Beau Champion, Jamie Simpson (Souths), Willie Tonga (Cowboys), Brad Tighe (Panthers), Donald Malone (Queensland Cup), Matt Sing, Sid Domic (UK) Halves: Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys), Scott Prince (Titans), Jamie Soward (Dragons), Maurice Blair (Panthers), Chris Sandow (Souths), Joe Williams, Ben Barba (Bulldogs), Luke Walsh (Knights), Ben Jeffries (UK) Back row: Sam Thaiday, Palmer Wapau, Derricke Watkins (Broncos), Dean Widders, Yileen Gordon (Souths), Cory Patterson (Knights), Clifford Morris, Matt Mundine, Jardine Bobongie (Dragons), Joel Thompson (Raiders), Justin Smith (Cowboys), Leigh Coghill (Queensland Cup) Front Row: Carl Webb (Cowboys), Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers), George Rose (Manly), Daniel Backo (Queensland Cup), Luke Grant (Souths), Fred Briggs (Bulldogs), Peter Jensen (CRL) Hookers: PJ Marsh (Broncos), Ian Lacey (Queensland Cup), Joel Romelo (Panthers), Travis Waddell (Raiders), Jake Friend (Roosters), Anthony Mitchell (Eels), Michael Young (Knights). Coach: Neil Henry.
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