Preston Campbell today described his appointment as captain of the Rio Tinto Indigenous Dreamtime Team to play New Zealand Maori in the ‘Welcome to Country’ game as part of the Rugby League World Cup Official Opening on October 26 as the equal of any of his achievements in the game.

“Winning a premiership is every player’s dream, but to represent your people is an honour that all the boys are proud of,” the Gold Coast Titans Player of the Year said.

“To be named as captain is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Dally M Coach of the Year Neil Henry has been handed a formidable squad by selectors Arthur Beetson, Larry Corowa and Ricky Walford.

William “Smiley” Johnstone, Chairperson of the ARL Indigenous Council which has endorsed the side, today congratulated the selectors on announcing a squad balanced with experience and youth.

Cowboys-bound Henry said his role was to encourage his side to play their natural game in an Origin-style atmosphere.

“These guys are not just great athletes, they play a distinct brand of football that all fans love to watch,” Henry said.

“To call it an intuitive style does not do justice to the ball-runners who search for the weakest link in the defence and then attack.”

Campbell has been reunited with his premiership-winning partner Rhys Wesser and fellow representative players Carl Webb, Sam Thaiday, Ty Williams, Maurice Blair and Dean Widders.

Webb, who has been appointed vice-captain, will be the leader of a pack chosen to take on the formidable Maori side who view this as a Test Match between two proud Indigenous peoples.

His experience will be invaluable for young forwards Daine Laurie and Joel Thompson, who have been selected with other emerging stars in George Green Medal winner Chris Sandow, Justin Carney and Jamal Idris.

Former Parramatta player and Widnes half Denis Moran won automatic selection as the eighteenth man after winning Man of the Series at the recent ARL-endorsed Aboriginal Knockout conducted by Wollumbin Warriors in Kingscliff.

The side will enter camp on October 21 and will be involved in a number of community events highlighted by an open Fan Day at Redfern Community Centre on Thursday, October 23.

The full squad is:  

* Final Medical clearance required

The Rugby League International Federation Chairman, Mr Colin Love AM, today joined with representatives of five nations at Parramatta Stadium to announce the players selected in their 2008 World Cup squads.

The naming of the Fiji, Ireland, Samoa, Scotland and Tonga sides today, comes just 24 hours after Australia, England and New Zealand named their 24-man teams for the Tournament starting in a fortnight this Saturday.

Fiji, Samoa and Tonga’s line-ups still need final official clearance with some players requiring eligibility checks and/or changes of representative elections which need to be ratified by the RLIF.

Ten nations will compete in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup featuring 18 matches at 12 venues in QLD, NSW, VIC and ACT over 29 days from October 25 to November 22 with the Final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

England and Papua New Guinea will feature in the first match of the Tournament in Townsville on October 25, with the official opening ceremony to be staged at the Sydney Football Stadium on October 26. The opening ceremony will see Australia open its campaign against New Zealand and will also feature an Australian Indigenous team against the New Zealand Maoris.
 
Parramatta Stadium will host two matches – Ireland v Tonga (Oct 27) and Ireland v Samoa (Nov 5) – with Penrith’s CUA Stadium featuring the much anticipated Pool 3 clash between Samoa and Tonga (Oct 31) and a ranking match (Nov 9).

Pool 2 features Scotland, France and Fiji. The French team was named last week and they will be the first team to arrive in Australia, basing themselves at the Sunshine Coast QLD from next Monday.

Pool 1 includes Australia, England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Team changes can be made up to the first day of competition for medical reasons, which must be cleared by the Tournament Medical Officer, Dr Ron Muratore.

FIJI

* subject to eligibility change from RLIF

COACH           Joe Dakuitoga

IRELAND

* Subject to fitness test.

COACH           Andy Kelly

SAMOA

COACH           John Ackland

SCOTLAND

COACH                       Steve McCormack

TONGA