Is this greatest indigenous backline ever?
SOUTH Sydney are set to create history during tomorrow night’s Charity Shield in Mudgee, unveiling the greatest indigenous backline ever assembled in the NRL.
Led by Kangaroo import Latrell Mitchell, who is making his first appearance for the foundation club, Souths will take on St George Illawarra with five, and possibly six, indigenous players from fiveeighth through to fullback.
According to rugby league historian David Middleton, it is only the fourth time in 20 years that an NRL side has boasted five or more Aboriginal players out wide, with the
Bunnies’ them.
Apart from Mitchell, the Rabbitohs will take on the Dragons with a side boasting five-eighth Cody Walker, centre pairing James Roberts and Braidon Burns, plus winger Dane Gagai.
Of that group, all but Burns played Origin for NSW or Queensland last year.
Alex Johnston, who represented Australia in 2015, also remains in contention for a spot on the Bunnies flanks, although Australian Nines representative Campbell Graham is tipped to start at wing for the 2020 the line-up undoubtedly strongest of season opener against Cronulla.
Quizzed on how it felt to be part of a backline boasting so much indigenous talent, Walker told News Corp: “While it hasn’t been something we’ve spoken about, you can feel it.
“With the way we indigenous boys play footy, there’s a talent – a natural talent I guess – that shines through.
“So you can feel that there are a lot of indigenous boys here,” he said.
“There’s that sense we’ll not only always be there, but when we are, something freakish is going to happen.”
Nick Walshaw
CANBERRA’S hope of getting the green light to play Curtis Scott in the opening round of the season could hinge on a face-to-face meeting today between Scott’s lawyer and NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg.
It comes after the Raiders were hit with another huge setback yesterday with the revelation that star back-rower John Bateman could be sidelined for the first two months of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile, Greenberg has asked to view further video evidence relating to Scott’s