The Indigenous All Stars have named replacements to their squad to take on the World All Stars, after a trio of players pulled out of the fixture on Saturday, February 13, at Suncorp Stadium.
The players added to the All Stars squad are Jamie Soward (Penrith Panthers), Edrick Lee (Canberra Raiders) and Craig Garvey (Canterbury Bulldogs) – all of whom have something to prove for the 2016 NRL season.
Soward’s Panthers finished second-last in 2015, while Lee had his best season and now has to back it up with more strong performances. Garvey, meanwhile, struggled to crack a regular spot in first grade at the St George Illawarra Dragons and has moved on to the Canterbury Bulldogs, looking to put off-field issues behind him.
The trio replace Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters) and Nathan Peats (Parramatta Eels).
Thurston pulled out due to having to play the World Club Series, in the United Kingdom, the week after. This will be the first the game’s biggest player has missed an All Stars match, and sees Greg Inglis inherit the captaincy.
Ferguson misses out after having surgery on an injured finger. Peats pulled out due to continued rehabilitation on an injury to his c6 verterbra, which kept him out of action at the end of 2015.
Soward, Lee and Garvey have been added to the Indigenous All Stars interchange. Tyrone Roberts will be the new starting halfback in place of Thurston, James Roberts takes Ferguson’s centre spot, and Ray Thompson is the new starting hooker.
Indigenous All Stars squad
1. Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2. Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
3. Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm)
4. James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos)
5. Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
6. Ben Barba (Cronulla Sharks)
7. Tyrone Roberts (Gold Coast Titans)
8. Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans)
9. Ray Thompson (North Queensland Cowboys)
10. Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
11. Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans)
12. Joel Thompson (St George Illawarra Dragons)
13. Chris Grevsmuhl (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
14. Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
15. Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)
16. Edrick Lee (Canberra Raiders)
17. Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)
18. Craig Garvey (Canterbury Bulldogs)
19. Jamie Soward (Penrith Panthers)
20. Wade Graham (Cronulla Sharks)
Geoff Evans
Guest
It cannot mean too much to the indigenous players as a lot of players have pulled out of the team and it is the same as the world allstars as another 5 players pulled out yesterday. Talk about all stars , should be no stars game. I am glad i did not spend money going to this game.
Dave
Guest
Your funny
Squidward
Roar Rookie
If you've watched an all stars game you realise it means a lot to the indigenous. And the "Caucasian team" is made of of islanders too. Sounds like you and your mates are the racist ones
Dave
Guest
The most racist thing I've seen in sport for a long, long time. Your race is the selection criteria. I thought all that stopped in South Africa. I went to the game last year and saw plenty of flags but not one Aussie flag to be seen. Imagine 'The Caucasian All Stars'. The sky would fall. Why can't we just be one. Was talking to a mate after last years game and he says' who won,us or them'. See what I mean.
Onside
Guest
The team should be, The Aboriginal All Stars.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
NRL No Star weekend
3 Hats
Guest
Jamie Soward was on a radio interview, BSB, just last week and he said he is still not fit after offseason surgery and rehab and he said that he had severe doubts whether he would be in the Indigenous ALL STARS! Sam Burgess has also pulled out of the NRL ALL STARS!
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Be indigenous
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I think Garvey may have made headlines for King hitting a bloke in a Wollongong nightclub last year for no real reason. Could be wrong
Dave
Guest
What's the selection criteria for eligibility in the indigenous all stars team ? -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Mike from Tari
Guest
I thought Ray Thompson was Papua New Guinian.
Mike Dugg
Roar Rookie
Only 6 Queenslanders?
The Barry
Roar Guru
eJ - Garvey's a great signing. He'll tear it up this year. Probably the hottest young property in the NRL. Nah - I've never heard of him either but people said that last year about Kieran Moseley. He had a great game and a good start to his NRL career.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Actually, Garvey plays hooker for the Bulldogs having signed from the Dragons as a replacement for Damien Cook.
Parrafan
Guest
Some winger from one of the Broncos Intrust supercup feeder teams. Wayne won't risk his first grade players.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Wowsers - Craig Garvey. Never heard of him. Any word on who is the replacement for Lachlan Maranta in the "World All Stars"?