PNG duo make All Stars

PAPUA New Guinea’s David Mead and Nene Macdonald have been named in Mal Meninga’s World All Stars side.
Kumul captain Mead, 28, who led PNG to a 24-22 win over Fiji in May’s Pacific Test, will make his NRL All Stars debut on the wing while national team-mate Macdonald, who played in that match as well, plays his second match.
The annual fixture against Laurie Daley’s Indigenous All Stars is scheduled for Feb 10 at MacDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
Macdonald, 22, was this week named in the emerging Queensland squad as well and is expected to be available for the Kumuls, along with Mead, for the World Cup in October.
Interestingly, a host of players will also make their World and Indigenous All Stars debut in Newcastle next year when the two teams meet for the seventh All Stars clash.
Jarryd Hayne, Latrell Mitchell, Jake Friend, Jack Bird, Moses Mbye and Adam Elliott were just some of the players named today by Meninga and Daley ahead of the Friday night match.
Meninga said he was excited by the opportunity to coach the World All Stars team for the first time, with many of the World All Stars players also new to the team and experience.
“The All Stars match is a fantastic way to kick off the rugby league season in Australia and I’m looking forward to the chance to be part of the build-up,” Meninga said.
Daley, who will coach his fourth Indigenous All Stars team, said he was pleased to see the game being shared with a new audience and fan-base outside of Queensland.
“The All Stars is a wonderful celebration for players and fans alike and I am sure that the people will get behind the chance to see some of the best indigenous and non-indigenous players on-field,” Daley said.
World All Stars: (made up of players representing their heritage) 1. Jarryd Hayne* (Titans) – Fiji; 2. David Mead* (Broncos) – PNG; 3. Joseph Leilua* (Raiders) – Samoa; 4. Konrad Hurrell (Titans) – Tonga; 5. Nene Macdonald (Dragons) – PNG; 6. Mitchell Moses* (Tigers) – Lebanon; 7. Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs) – Aust; 8. Nate Myles* (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles) – Aust; 9. Jake Friend* (Roosters) – Aust; 10. Jordan McLean* (Storm) – Aust; 11. Gavin Cooper* (Cowboys) – Aust; 12. Bryce Cartwright* (Panthers) – Aust; 13. Jake Trbojevic* (Sea Eagles) – Serbia; 14. Reagan Campbell-Gillard* (Panthers) – Fiji; 15. Sosaia Feki* (Sharks) – Tonga; 16. Sione Mata’utia* (Knights) – Samoa; 17. Sam Lisone* (Warriors) – NZ; 18. Moses Mbye* (Bulldogs) – Africa; 19. Tepai Moeroa* (Eels) – Cook Is; 20. Jordan Turner* (Canberra Raiders) – England
* Denotes debut World All Stars players)
Indigenous All Stars: 1. Jack Wighton (Raiders); 2. Blake Ferguson (Roosters); 3. Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs); 4. Will Chambers (Storm); 5. Dane Gagai (Knights); 6. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys); 7. Ash Taylor* (Titans) 8. Ryan James (Titans); 9. Nathan Peats (Titans); 10. Andrew Fifita (Sharks); 11. Joel Thompson (Dragons); 12. Wade Graham (Sharks); 13. Sam Thaiday (Broncos); 14. Tyrone Peachey (Panthers); 15. Jack Bird* (Sharks); 16. Leilani Latu (anthers); 17. Latrell Mitchell* (Roosters); 18. Aidan Sezer (Raiders); 19. Kyle Turner (Rabbitohs); 20. Adam Elliott* (Bulldogs)