The conversation around an Indigenous World Cup side has been blown wide open after newly-appointed All Stars coach Ron Griffiths spruiked the idea.
Griffiths told The Sydney Morning Herald “it would be great for the game” if an Indigenous side took part in the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.
But Kangaroos star Angus Crichton isn’t a fan, calling the idea “a backward step” and declared: “Indigenous Australia and White Australia — I don’t think we need to divide it.”
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It’s still at this stage, a pie in the sky idea, but should it grow legs, would the Indigenous players that would walk into the Kangaroos squad put their hand up for it?
Griffiths said: “Guaranteed, no doubt.”
So what would the Indigenous side look like as if it were playing in this year’s World Cup?
It would have a lethal backline with Latrell Mitchell at fullback, tryscoring machines Josh Addo-Carr and Alex Johnston on the wings and possibly Jack Wighton and Kotoni Staggs in the centres.
Dally M winner Nicho Hynes would wear the No.7 jersey and link up with Cody Walker, while the versatile Connor Watson could slot in at dummy half.
The forwards would be a little slim though with Wade Graham perhaps forced into some time in the middle.
Here’s what an Indigenous World Cup side could look like if it were picked today.
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FULLBACK
Latrell Mitchell has the No.1 jersey nailed down — in fact he’d probably be the first player selected for the team. Mitchell has become one of the premier fullbacks in the NRL and one of the Rabbitohs’ most important players since making the positional switch — and club switch. The 25-year-old is a proud ambassador and recently revealed his goal is “to be the best Indigenous player to ever play the game.”
WING
He may have missed out on Origin selection this year but Josh Addo-Carr would be a sure-selection for this team. The 27-year-old has proven Blues coach Brad Fittler wrong with his dazzling form and blistering speed for the Kangaroos and some would say has reclaimed the title of best winger in the game. Joining the ‘Foxx’ is Alex Johnston. It’d be easy to argue a case for Broncos young gun Selwyn Cobbo or even Cowboys speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow but it’s hard to overlook Johnston — who breaks tryscoring records for fun.
CENTRE
Kotoni Staggs and Jack Wighton get the nod for what’s perhaps the most hotly contested position in the team. Wighton may be a five-eighth at club level, but he’s proven to be just as lethal in the centres for both NSW and Australia. It seems almost criminal to leave veteran centre Dane Gagai out but we didn’t see his best both for the Knights or for Queensland this year. Staggs had some hot and cold moments too this year — and was dropped from the Blues side — but when he was in form for Brisbane he was almost unstoppable.
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FIVE-EIGHTH
It’s impossible to look past star five-eighth Cody Walker, who will step up to be an assistant coach to Griffiths for next season’s All Stars clash. Walker has a dream of becoming the first NRL head coach since Arthur Beetson. His footy IQ and experience would be crucial to this side.
HALFBACK
Look no further than the 2022 Dally M medallist, Nicho Hynes. The 26-year-old played five-eighth for the Indigenous All Stars back in February but has proven he can take control of a side in the No.7 jersey after a stunning first season with the Sharks.
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PROP
Workhorse forward Reuben Cotter secures one spot after a breakout year that included a Maroons and Kangaroos debut, while the other goes to Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, who has featured for the Indigenous All Stars for the last three years.
HOOKER
There’s not a lot of Indigenous hookers to choose from but Mr. Fix It Connor Watson is more than capable of donning the No.9 jersey. Watson has the speed, footwork and skill to be a real danger out of dummy half.
SECOND ROW
Despite a quiet year by his standards, David Fifita scores a starting spot and wouldn’t disappoint. The 22-year-old has been a part of the Indigenous All Stars set-up since 2019 and has always put in a big performance when pulling on the jersey. Jack Bird was moved around a fair bit in the Dragons’ line-up this year, but he did play 11 games in the second row. His versatility would be an asset to this side, no matter where he plays.
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LOCK
Adam Elliott is an option for lock, while Josh Curran would also come into contention. Elliott thrived at lock for the Raiders this year, but was versatile enough to play on an edge and surprisingly at hooker too.
BENCH
Veteran second-rower Wade Graham would land a spot on the bench and could even provide cover at prop given he has spoken about that being an option next season with the Sharks. Josh Curran is also on the bench and would have to punch out plenty of minutes given the lack of forwards options. Scott Drinkwater’s ability to cover the halves and fullback make him a handy utility and the livewire Cowboys star could cause some havoc against tired forwards. Jesse Ramien’s form this season for the Sharks is hard to ignore and he could be squeezed into the 17, but if the team needed more forwards he’d miss out with Josh Kerr or Tyrell Fuiamono replacing him.
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Jack Wighton
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Cody Walker
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Reuben Cotter
9. Connor Watson
10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
11. David Fifita
12. Jack Bird
13. Adam Elliott
14. Scott Drinkwater
15. Josh Curran
16. Wade Graham
17. Jesse Ramien
18th man: Selwyn Cobbo
