Andrew Fifita was devastated to miss the game through injury in 2015, his brother David elated to get a call up to experience the All Stars game first hand, while Ben Barba has been a regular participant and a standout performer since the concept began some five years ago.
One of the premier events on the rugby league calendar, the All Stars match will this year match an Indigenous Team against a World All Stars line up, with the three Sharks keen to be a part of an event which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
The Fifita twins and Barba would love nothing more than to be a part of the game and the festivities in the week leading up to the game which is scheduled to be played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on February 13.
Voting and selections will be more important than ever, with Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley looking forward to receiving the public team picks and bringing together some of the game’s finest Indigenous players to represent their people.
“The Indigenous community, and fans in general, are so passionate about this game every year and it’s wonderful to be able to include them in forming their team to take on the World All Stars in what is set to be another fantastic spectacle,” Daley said.
The 16 players with the highest number of public votes will be selected in the Indigenous All Stars squad. Daley will then be given four “coach’s picks”.
Online public voting for the Indigenous All Stars team is underway, with voting open until Sunday, 6 December for fans to help select a 20-man squad.
Place your vote now and help Andrew, David and Ben be a part of the All Stars extravaganza early next year.
