team.

Sixteen-year- olds Daneil Donovan and Kaji Buchanan will join indigenous players from throughout the State for the curtain-raiser to the all-important match between the Indigenous All-Stars and the NRL

All-Stars on the Gold Coast early next month.

Playing against the Under 16 Murries at Skilled Park in front of 15,000-20,000, the boys and their NSW counterparts hope to bounce back after going down to Queensland in 2011.

The side was selected after eight months of identification, which culminated with a camp at the

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Redfern in November last year.

Both boys hope their participation in this year’s indigenous interstate challenge will be a stepping stone into the NRL.

In the 11 years since its inception, 16 players have gone on to play for NRL clubs, while three have

represented either NSW or Queensland in the State of Origin.

While the boys play for opposite teams – Bowraville and Nambucca Heads – they team up for group two

commitments.

Former coach and selector Scott Mieni said the locals were selected for both their football knowledge and

skills.

“They have been given a great opportunity to play before a large crowd,” Mieni said.

Among the crowd will be selectors, giving the boys a big opportunity to showcase their skills.

“It is a personal privilege for the boys and the clubs they represent.”

Donovan, who plays for Bowraville, was understandably excited when he learned about his selection.

In the weeks leading up match Donovan has stepped up his training program to three times a week.

He is keen to emulate his hero, the Cowboys’ Jonathon Thurston.

“I just love it; it’s heaps of fun,” he said.

The front-rower was looking forward to bonding with his teammates and meeting different people.

Buchanan, who stands at centre, has been playing footy since he was just seven-years-old and lists former Bronco Gordon Tallis as his hero.

“It would be a dream come true to play in the NRL,” he said.