Livewire Parramatta recruit Chris Sandow is among five newcomers named in a star-studded Indigenous All Stars team to face the NRL Stars at Skilled Park on February 4.
The popular No.7 will partner captain Johnathan Thurston in the halves after he was one of 16 players selected by rugby league fans.
Sandow joins superstars Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs) and Justin Hodges (Broncos) – who have missed the first two All Stars games due to injury – and young guns Nathan Peats (Rabbitohs) and Andrew Fifita (Sharks) as debutants in a powerhouse line-up featuring 10 former or current Kangaroos.
"It is a great honour to be selected to represent my people and I am really excited about the opportunity to play alongside Johnathan Thurston in the halves," Sandow said.
"I love the All Stars concept and I know my friends and family will be excited about coming to the game."
More than 15,000 took part in an online vote to join Thurston, who was an automatic selection as captain, while coach Laurie Daley 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.
"I know all Indigenous Rugby League players look up to Artie for what he did for Rugby League and for Indigenous Australians and with the trophy representing a true legend of the game, we will have extra incentive to win the All Stars match."
"The NRL All Stars team will be a world-class side, but all the players announced today will be playing to win and also to honour the passing of a Rugby League legend."
Indigenous All Stars: 1. Ben Barba, 2. Jharal Yow Yeh, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin Hodges, 5. Nathan Merritt, 6. Johnathan Thurston (c), 7. Chris Sandow, 8. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, 9. Travis Waddell, 10. George Rose, 11. Sam Thaiday, 12. Jamal Idris, 13. Greg Bird
Reserves: 14. Andrew Fifita, 15. Cory Paterson, 16. Matt Bowen, 17. Scott Prince, 18. Anthony Mitchell, 19. Joel Thompson, 20. Nathan Peats