Rising Warriors prop Jamayne Taunoa-Brown to join Indigenous All Stars side

Rising prop Jamayne Taunoa-Brown – who supplements his modest train and trial contract with a budding hip hop career – will line up alongside 30m worth of talent in the All Stars match.

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An Australian hip hop artist will be launched into a star-studded rugby league game boasting a combined player talent pool worth $30 million.

Rising Warriors prop Jamayne Taunoa-Brown — who performs as Yung Maynie — will be added to coach Laurie Daley’s Indigenous All Stars side for the pre-season game against New Zealand’s Maoris on Saturday week at the Gold Coast.

Standing 194cm and weighing 117kg, Taunoa-Brown is on a train and trial deal at the Warriors and earns just $1000 a week. He loses a chunk in tax and another $220 in rent, leaving him with just $500 a week to spend.

To supplement his modest income, Taunoa-Brown composes hip hop and rap songs as artist Yung Maynie.

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Jamayne Taunoa-Brown in the Intrust Cuper Cup. Photo: AAP Image/Renae Droop

The Melbourne born-and-bred prospect has been called into the Indigneous side because of a lack of front-rowers after established props Ryan James and Andrew Fifita withdrew with injury.

Taunoa-Brown came through the junior systems at Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights before joining North Brisbane last year, where he was lured across to Auckland.

Manly prop Zac Saddler will also be promoted into the Indigenous side. Daley will start either Taunoa-Brown or Saddler, the other coming off the interchange bench.

In an interview last year, Taunoa-Brown has previously spoken about his love of music.

“I have always loved music,” he said. “It was always a hobby, mucking around with music with my mates at school. Over the last couple of years I started making my own tracks.

“I’ve got a little set-up at home, a little studio, everything I need, in a spare room.”

Maynie drew praise from Triple J Unearthed.

Yung Maynie is making a name for himself in music.

Taunoa-Brown’s talent isn’t just confined to the recording studio.

“He has always been a player I have had time for. I thought he was the best attacking prop in Queensland Cup last year when he was with Norths Brisbane, that’s beyond any doubt,” Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan said.

“I bought him to New Zealand to train and trial. He has been terrific and the coaches want to keep him. We are hoping to upgrade him into the top squad next year.”

Bathurst-born Saddler arrived at Manly midway through last year from Canterbury.

“He’s going to be a good ‘un,” Manly head of recruitment Noel Cleal said.

“Zac has had a wretched run with injuries but Des (Hasler) and the coaching staff have enabled him to overcome those injuries and he’s coming along nicely.”

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Despite being rookies, Taunoa-Brown and Saddler will need to muscle up against a Maori pack that will include Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Adam Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, James Tamou, Kevin Proctor, Briton Nikora, Zane Tetevano and Corey Harawira-Naera.

“We are bit light-in in the middle so we are looking to give an opportunity to a couple of young blokes,” Daley said.

The Indigenous All Stars side, which includes Blake Ferguson, Wade Graham, David Fifita, Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts and Jack Wighton, will enter camp next Monday.

Originally published as Rising Warriors prop Jamayne Taunoa-Brown to join Indigenous All Stars side