Preston Campbell today described his
appointment as captain of the Rio Tinto Indigenous Dreamtime Team to play New
Zealand Maori in the 'Welcome to Country' game as part of the Rugby League World
Cup Official Opening on October 26 as the equal of any of his achievements in
the game.
"Winning a premiership is every
player's dream, but to represent your people is an honour that all the boys are
proud of," the Gold Coast Titans Player of the Year said.
"To be named as captain is something
I will cherish for the rest of my life."
Dally M Coach of the Year Neil Henry
has been handed a formidable squad by selectors Arthur Beetson, Larry Corowa
and Ricky Walford.
William "Smiley" Johnstone,
Chairperson of the ARL Indigenous Council which has endorsed the side, today
congratulated the selectors on announcing a squad balanced with experience and youth.
Cowboys-bound Henry said his role
was to encourage his side to play their natural game in an Origin-style
atmosphere.
"These guys are not just great
athletes, they play a distinct brand of football that all fans love to watch,"
Henry said.
"To call it an intuitive style does
not do justice to the ball-runners who search for the weakest link in the
defence and then attack."
Campbell has been reunited with
his premiership-winning partner Rhys Wesser and fellow representative players
Carl Webb, Sam Thaiday, Ty Williams, Maurice Blair and Dean Widders.
Webb, who has been appointed
vice-captain, will be the leader of a pack chosen to take on the formidable
Maori side who view this as a Test Match between two proud Indigenous peoples.
His experience will be invaluable
for young forwards Daine Laurie and Joel Thompson, who have been selected with
other emerging stars in George Green Medal winner Chris Sandow, Justin Carney
and Jamal Idris.
Former Parramatta player and Widnes
half Denis Moran won automatic selection as the eighteenth man after winning
Man of the Series at the recent ARL-endorsed Aboriginal Knockout conducted by
Wollumbin Warriors in Kingscliff.
The side will enter camp on October
21 and will be involved in a number of community events highlighted by an open
Fan Day at Redfern Community Centre on Thursday, October 23.
