Latrell Mitchell has chosen to represent the Indigenous All Stars over taking part in the Sydney Roosters’ world club championship tilt.
The superstar centre headlines the Indigenous side which will take on the Maori All Stars in Melbourne on February 15.
The game is played two days before the Roosters take on Wigan in the World Club Challenge in England and Mitchell has been giving the club’s blessing to represent his culture.
Fans will also get their first look at Kalyn Ponga in the No.6 jersey when he lines up for the Maoris side.
The Newcastle star is this year attempting a Darren Lockyer-like move from fullback to five-eighth in his second season at the Knights.
Ben Barba will play his first match on Australian soil in three years when he lines up at fullback for the Laurie Daley-coached indigenous team.
After winning the 2016 NRL grand final with Cronulla, he was forced over to French rugby union and the English Super League after recording his second illicit drugs strike.
The former Dally M winner has signed with North Queensland and is seeking to write a fitting ending to his storied career.
He will form a formidable Indigenous backline alongside Mitchell, Blake Ferguson, James Roberts and Josh Addo-Carr.
ALL STARS TEAMS
Indigenous All Stars: 1. Ben Barba, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. James Roberts, 4. Latrell Mitchell, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Tyrone Roberts, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. TBA, 11. David Fifita, 12. Adam Elliott, 13. Tyrone Peachey. Interchange: 14. Will Chambers, 15. Leilani Latu, 16. Chris Smith, 17. Alex Johnston, 18. Jesse Ramien, 19. Tyrell Fuimaono, 20. Kotoni Staggs.
New Zealand Māori All Stars: 1. Peta Hiku, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Dean Whare, 5. Jordan Kahu, 6. Kalyn Ponga, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Adam Blair. Interchange: 14. Danny Levi, 15. Brad Takairangi, 16. James Fisher-Harris, 17. James Tamou, 18. Gerard Beale, 19. Corey Harawira-Naera, 20. Joseph Tapine.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
The side also represents Torres Strait Islanders, so Indigenous is a necessary term.
Hanrahan
Roar Rookie
You must be easily embarrassed. Doesn't worry me.
Hanrahan
Guest
Two
Emcie
Roar Guru
Pedantic? Like latching onto the word "world" as if it's trying to denote something it's not. You seem very uptight about a game people don't take that seriously, not that I don't appreciate the irony of an obvious troll account getting upset about something someone said on the Internet.
BennO
Guest
Maori named themselves. Indigenous Australians were named Aboriginals by the colonisers. There were hundreds of Nations here in 1788 so I think the equivalent to Maori would be Bundjalung, Yaggera, Noongar, Wiradjeri and so many others.
Lukie O
Roar Rookie
What Criticism? A pedantic Leaguie making up facts to try bring other sports down to the Rugby League global appeal??
Emcie
Roar Guru
Can't take criticism lukie?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
How many countries participate in the "World Series Baseball"?
Lukie O
Roar Rookie
That's a very pedantic and stupid comment to make Greg
Onside
Guest
The Australian team should be called ABORIGINAL All Stars. The word INDIGENOUS , though correct and interchangeable with aboriginal according to Macquarie dictionary , dumbs down the impact. Can you imagine the MAORIS being asked to call themselves the New Zealand Indigenous All Stars ?, no way, those guys are MAORI.
SJ
Guest
Anyone else loving the fact that Chambers will have to sit on the bench watching Latrell go about his work?
Greg
Guest
Four actually, France and NZ both have teams in the NRL and SL. By your reasoning no sport in the world can actually have world champions as not every country in the world has national teams in soccer, cricket etc.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
If that is all as it reads, then well done to the Roosters for allowing Latrell to play for the Indigenous All Stars.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Perhaps the NFL should put up a billboard in Sydney with the New England Patriots that says "World Champions of football"....
Lukie O
Roar Rookie
In all honesty its embarrassing calling the game the "World" Club challenge when only parts of 2 countries compete.
Paul
Roar Guru
Two pretty good teams. Hopefully the game will be a beauty to kick off the season