Indigenous Sport Month: NRL’s best Indigenous team of the 21st century

It might be the most dazzling rugby league ever assembled - but who made the cut for the Indigenous NRL team of the 21st century?

Greg Inglis’ selection in the team has forced Latrell Mitchell onto the bench of the Indigenous side. Picture: Mark Evans.

In selecting the Indigenous Team of the 21st century the esteemed judges could only agree on one thing - regardless of whoever else made it, Jonathan Thurston had to be there.

In a measure of the dazzling Indigenous talent to have graced the game since the year 2000, Thurston was the only player to attract maximum votes from all five judges with Ricky Walford, Cliff Lyons, Wayne Bennett, Tony Currie and Steve Renouf all selecting the Cowboys legend as their halfback.

The four-time Dally M winner wasn’t just one of the premiere players of his time, he was became a leader and important cultural figure for the Indigenous community off the field.

“He’s the best, without a doubt,” Lyons said.

“He’s an icon, everything he touched turn to gold and all the kids look up to him, he inspires them to be like him.”

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Johnathan Thurston was the only unanimous selection of the Indigenous team. Picture: AAP.

It was no surprise to see Greg Inglis beat a very strong field to the fullback spot, with the South Sydney and Melbourne champion getting in ahead of Latrell Mitchell, David Peachey and Matt Bowen.

“He’s such an imposing figure, such a giant of a man, it’s unbelievable,” Lyons said.

“Latrell is almost as big as Greg, it’s such a shame you have to separate them.”

Two of the modern game’s true speedsters, Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr and St George Illawarra’s Nathan Blacklock, have earned selection on the flanks while Justin Hodges and Dane Gagai complete the three-quarter line.

Five-eighth proved to be the most contentious spot, with 2020 Dally M winner Jack Wighton beating Cody Walker by a solitary vote.

“Jack is a running five-eighth, Walker runs as well but he can pick a gap as well with a sharp ball,” Lyons said.

“Jack is big and strong, but Cody is quick and sharp, there’s so little between them.”

Greg Inglis’ selection in the team has forced Latrell Mitchell onto the bench of the Indigenous side. Picture: Mark Evans.

The forward pack is imposing, with Andrew Fifita and Carl Webb selected at prop while Greg Bird locks the scrum.

Sam Thaiday was a runaway winner for one backrow spot along with Wade Graham while Nathan Peats packs down at hooker.

All together it makes for a red hot side - and with players like Addo-Carr and Wighton following the footsteps of Inglis and Thurston as role models for the Indigenous community, there’s sure to be plenty more talent to follow.

“For the kids, these players are something to aspire to. Something to be like. It’s something to strive for,” Lyons said.

“When I was a kid rugby league kept me on the straight and narrow, and that’s what these kids are looking for.

“They’re looking for someone to keep them on the straight path.”

NRL INDIGENOUS TEAM OF THE 21ST CENTURY

1. Greg Inglis 2. Nathan Blacklock 3. Justin Hodges 4. Dane Gagai 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jack Wighton 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Nathan Peats 10. Carl Webb 11. Wade Graham 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Greg Bird

Interchange: 14. Cody Walker 15. Scott Prince 16. Matt Bowen 17. Latrell Mitchell