Three Raiders named in Indigenous All Stars

December 7, 2011

Three Canberra Raiders players have earned selection in the Indigenous All Stars team for the NRL's annual showpiece event on the Gold Coast.

Prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, centre/second-rower Joel Thompson and hooker Travis Waddell are part of Laurie Daley's squad to face the Rugby League All Stars at Skilled Park on February 4.

Kangaroos, Maroons and North Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston will captain the Indigenous team.

Over 15,000 fans cast their vote online at NRL.com to pick 16 players to join Thurston, who was an automatic selection as captain, while coach Laurie Daley and his selectors added a further three players to the 20-man squad.

Thurston topped the voting with 11,282, followed by Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh (7568), Inglis (7530), new Broncos captain Sam Thaiday (7331) and Titans lock Greg Bird (7105).

Anthony Mitchell (Roosters), Joel Thompson (Raiders) and Peats (Rabbitohs) were the coach's selections.

"I am really happy with the quality of the team the public has selected and with the names announced today we are in the very best position to win the Arthur Beetson trophy come February 4," Daley said.

The Rugby League All Stars squad, coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall is still to be finalised.

Fans can vote on who they think should be in the team at www.nrl.com/allstars

Indigenous All Stars team:

1. Ben Barba, Bulldogs, Goreng Goreng

2. Jharal Yow Yeh, Broncos, Margany

3. Greg Inglis, Rabbitohs, Dunghutti

4. Justin Hodges, Broncos, Indigenous tribes of the Cairns region

5. Nathan Merritt, Rabbitohs, Wiradjuri

6. Johnathan Thurston (C), Cowboys, Gungarri

7. Chris Sandow, Eels, Bigambul/ Gubbi Gubbi

8. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Raiders, Indigenous tribes of Tweed area

9. Travis Waddell, Raiders, Torres Strait: Badulaig