Wests recruit Pat Mata'utia will be one of four former NRL and English Super League players set to take part in this month's Newcastle RL All Stars fixture at No.2 Sportsground.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mata'utia (Knights) and Rosellas teammates Brad Tighe (Knights, Penrith, Gold Coast), Ryan Walker (Penrith) and Luke Walsh (Knights, Penrith, St Helens, Catalans) were all named across the two squads on Wednesday.
March 30 will mark the third time the Indigenous All Stars and Newcastle All Stars have met in the now annual pre-season fixture.
"I think everyone looks forward to this game, there's some quality in the Indigenous side and some quality in the All Stars side," Newcastle representative coach Matt Lantry said.
"They've been good contests, two points the difference last year and a draw the first, and I expect the same this time around."
Lantry said this overall group would provide the bulk of the 25-man Rebels squad in 2019 and this upcoming game acts as a "genuine representative trial". "It's a big occasion," he said.
Newcastle RL are scheduled to meet a Ron Massey Cup side at Maitland Sportsground on May 11. A NSW Pioneers team will then be selected to play against the Queensland Rangers on the Gold Coast in June.
INDIGENOUS ALL STARS: Reid Alchin, Ngangarra Barker, Jarom Haines, Barry McGrady, Tom McKenzie, Jordan Mitchell, Jade Porter (Kurri); Randall Briggs, Isaac Briggs, Jayden Rosberg, Adam Swadling, Matt Simon (Macquarie); Josh Charles (Lakes); Josh Griffiths (Maitland); Warren Schillings, Brad Tighe, Mark Walker, Ryan Walker, Luke Walsh, Ryan Walsh (Wests); Lincoln Smith (Cessnock).
NEWCASTLE ALL STARS: Willis Alatini, Matt Herman, Sam Keenan, Tama Koopu, Alex Langbridge, Pat Mata'utia, Chad O'Donnell (Wests); Jayden Butterfield (Maitland); Ethan Cook (Central); Isiah Cooper-Tetevano, Harry O'Brien (Cessnock); Tom Cronan, Ryan Glanville, Luke Higgins, Cameron King, Brendan Simpson (Souths); Mitch Cullen, Tyme Dow-Nikau (Kurri); Matt Hay (Macquarie); Jack Kelly, Daniel Peck (Lakes).
