Newly appointed Indigenous All Stars coach Ron Griffiths is pushing for the team to participate in the next Rugby League World Cup.
Griffiths, who led the Newcastle Knights to NRLW premiership glory last month, has taken over from Laurie Daley as head coach.
The former Wests Tigers assistant believes some of the game’s biggest names would make themselves available should an Indigenous team get a chance to compete on the global stage.
“Guaranteed, no doubt,” Griffiths said.
“I think it would be great for the game, it would be fantastic to see. They would certainly be a strong team.
“What’s important is they would inspire the next generation of kids. You would see the game grow in terms of participation, certainly from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective.
The Indigenous All Stars could potentially field a competitive World Cup team.Credit:Getty
“We already love the game, but to have something like that would create a whole raft of opportunities for development within our culture.”
Should all the eligible players make themselves available, the Indigenous team would field a back line as potent as any international side. Latrell Mitchell, Nicho Hynes, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Josh Addo-Carr, Jesse Ramien, Dane Gagai, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Alex Johnston, Jason Saab and Kotoni Staggs would be just some of the marquee men that Griffiths would have to choose from.
The forward pack wouldn’t be quite as strong, but there would still be quality personnel in the engine room with David Fifita, Reuben Cotter, Jack Bird, Wade Graham, Josh Kerr, Josh Curran, Adam Elliott, Ryan James, Tyrell Fuimaono and Shaquai Mitchell among the possible playing pool.
“The other thing it does, which isn’t necessarily rugby league specific, is it puts the culture out there,” Griffiths said.
“You can only be what you can see.”
Not only would the Indigenous team be a strong contender in its own right, it would also bring the Kangaroos — the dominant team during their run to the World Cup final — back to the pack.
“If you’re talking about the growth of the game, it would be good for that,” Griffiths said.
“Other nations like Samoa and Tonga have done so much for the development of the game with all of those players choosing to play for their country of origin.
“Being able to do something a bit left-field like that would be huge for the growth of the game.
“It would also be huge for female athletes. We’ve got to be creative and look at ways to boost development. That’s a prime example.”
Griffiths said he was humbled to be handed the reins of the Indigenous All Stars, who will take on the Maori All Stars during a new-look 2023 pre-season. Assisting him will be South Sydney playmaker Walker, who has stated an ambition to become the first Indigenous NRL head coach since Arthur Beetson.
“For myself, the enormity of it is immense, it’s one of the most coveted jobs,” Griffiths said.
with Jai Camfield.
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