New recruits Ben Barba and Michael Ennis will be on opposite sides, while Sharks skipper Paul Gallen will also be a part of a star-studded line up of players chosen to take part following the announcement of the teams for the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars to be played at Cbus Super Stadium
North Queensland Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston and South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Greg Inglis finished as the most popular selections from a public vote of more than 15,000 fans for the Indigenous team, while coach Wayne Bennett was responsible for selecting their opponents for the match to be played on the Gold Coast on Friday, February 13.
Thurston and Inglis will join the likes of Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Greg Bird and Ben Barba in the Indigenous All Stars squad, which will be coached by Laurie Daley, with Thurston to join new Sharks signing Barba in a dynamic halves pairing.
As for the NRL All Stars, Ennis was beside Bennett in Brisbane for the team announcement, with their squad to also include Gallen, Newcastle Knights enforcer Beau Scott and the likes of Kieran Foran, Mitchell Pearce and James Graham.
The NRL ALL Stars team also features rising superstars Matt Moylan (Penrith), Dylan Walker (South Sydney) and Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers) alongside established representative stars including Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters).
The Sharks new boy Ennis, who made his All Stars debut in 2012, said he was looking forward to again being a part of a Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars camp.
“I really love the All Stars concept and it’s a massive honour to once again be selected to be a part of the week,” he said. “The diversity and inclusion of this event is what makes it so special, not just for the players but the wider community and I’m glad that it’s back on the calendar.
“My children are now at the age where they can appreciate and understand what I am playing for, particularly in my representative matches and it’s really exciting that they will be there on match day.”
The Hon. Linda Burney, MP, Chair of the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council, added: "This year's Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars will be seven years to the day since Kevin Rudd's apology to Australia's Indigenous people, which adds a real significance to the event in 2015.
"This is the most significant rugby league event on the calendar for the Indigenous and Torres Strait community but it will be even more special this year."
Tickets are available for the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars at ticketek.com.au/allstars
The two teams for ther ALL Stars clash are as follows;
Indigenous Team
1. Greg Inglis Rabbitohs
2. Alex Johnston Rabbitohs
3. Will Chambers Storm
4. Justin Hodges Broncos
5. Josh Hoffman Titans
6. Ben Barba Sharks
7. Johnathan Thurston Cowboys
8. George Rose Dragons
9. Ray Thompson Cowboys
10. Ryan James Titans
11. Tyrone Peachey Panthers
12. Sam Thaiday Broncos
13. Greg Bird Titans
14. Chris Sandow Eels
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs Storm
16. Dane Gagai Knights
17. Kyle Turner Rabbitohs
18. Jack Wighton Raiders
19. Kierran Moseley Titans
20. Brad Tighe Titans
NRL All Stars
1. Matt Moylan Panthers
2. Manu Vatuvei Warriors
3. Jarrod Croker Raiders
4. Dylan Walker Rabbitohs
5. Antonio Winterstein Cowboys
6. Kieran Foran Sea Eagles
7. Mitchell Pearce Roosters
8. James Graham Bulldogs
9. Michael Ennis Sharks
10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Roosters
11. Beau Scott (c) Knights
12. Jason Taumololo Cowboys
13. Paul Gallen Sharks
14. Jesse Bromwich Storm
15. Luke Brooks Wests Tigers
16. Will Hopoate Eels
17. Trent Merrin Dragons
18. Corey Parker Broncos
19. Jeremy Smith Knights
20. Dave Taylor Titans
