NRL news: Josh Addo-Carr set to captain Indigenous All Stars, racial abuse reported to police

Just days after being lauded for taking on racist social media abuse, Bulldogs recruit Josh Addo-Carr is set to win a top Indigenous role.

NRL star Josh Addo-Carr. Picture: Adam Yip

Josh Addo-Carr has emerged as the leading contender to take over from Cody Walker as the new captain of the Indigenous All Stars.

Coach Laurie Daley will name his team on Monday with the NRL’s fastest man now a frontrunner to lead a talented side that is also expected to include Cronulla recruit Nicho Hynes.

It will be Hynes’ first appearance for the Indigenous All Stars.

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For Addo-Carr, the speculation is that he is right in the mix to be named skipper, and comes just days after the Bulldogs’ star recruit was lauded for taking on racist abuse he copped on social media last week.

NRL and NRLW stars (LR) Kennedy Cherrington, Josh Addo-Carr and Shaylee Bent. Picture: Adam Yip

Addo-Carr posted screenshots to his Instagram story showing multiple vile comments that are now being investigated by the NSW Police Hate Crimes Unit.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo commended Addo-Carr “for the leadership role he plays in the community”, and “for calling out and reporting this behaviour.”

It goes to the heart of why Addo-Carr has earned such respect among his peers.

He has previously spoken passionately about why the All Stars concept is so important to him and his culture.

“The All Stars is just so special. I love being part of it,” he said last year.

And while there has been a big focus on the stars likely to be unavailable, the depth of the NRL’s indigenous talent will still be on show.

It is understood Canberra’s Jack Wighton will join Walker and Latrell Mitchell among this year’s casualties.

Walker and Wighton are likely to be scratchings after disrupted pre-seasons.

New Canberra recruit Jamal Fogarty is another not tipped to play due to a hamstring injury.

But the likes of Kotoni Staggs, Jack Bird, Jesse Ramien, Jason Saab, Brian Kelly and Alex Johnston are all among the contenders chasing selection.

Young Sharks half Braydon Trindall is another in the mix along with Albert Kelly, although it is going to be tough to fit them all in.

Josh Addo-Carr is a proud Indigenous All Star. Picture: Adam Yip

Meanwhile, the NRL will meet with the Rugby League Players Association in the coming days to try and come to a compromise over Covid protocols.

It is expected the NRL will agree to cut back on forcing the players to undergo two rapid antigen tests a day.

But there is some work to find common ground on other issues with clubs wanting the tough protocols enforced to ensure their players are returned safely with the new NRL season now only three weeks away.

But it is understood the players want restrictions eased so they can go outside the hotel during the six day camp for walks and do things like have a coffee at a café instead of having all their time restricted between the team hotel and training.

They also want the NRL to allow their families to spend time with them in camp.

Hate crime: NRL calls in cops over racial abuse

— Michael Carayannis

Sickening racial abuse to Canterbury flyer Josh Addo-Carr has been reported to police by the NRL.

Addo-Carr was the victim of vile Instagram messages on Australia Day. The NSW and Kangaroos star outed the person publicly on his account and informed Bulldogs officials.

The person wrote to Addo-Carr telling him “I will stalk and degrade you on all platforms, you arrogant black MFer”.

The abuse came after Addo-Carr posted a photo of himself with his family wearing a T-shirt with the Aboriginal flag on it. Addo-Carr posted “happy survival day my people” on Wednesday.

The NRL reported the issue to the NSW Police Hate Crimes Unit.

NRL boss Andrew Abdo praised Addo-Carr for calling out the abuse.

NRL star Josh Addo-Carr has received online abuse. Picture: Adam Yip

“We will always support our players who are subjected to racism or abuse,” Abdo said. “I want to commend Josh for the leadership role he plays in the community and for calling out and reporting this behaviour.

“Fans who racially abuse or threaten our players will be reported to police and we will work with the authorities to do all we can to identify the perpetrators.”

NRL players have been hit by a torrent of online abuse in recent time. South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell has been the victim of shocking online trolls but has continued to call-out the perpetrators.

Daniel Robert Hudson, of Lake Munmorah, was convicted and fined $400 for calling Mitchell an an “abo” and “dirty c**t” in April.

Patrick James Hawkes, 22, pleaded guilty using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend after abusing Mitchell.

Hawkes, of Taree, was later convicted and fined $750.

A person received police caution after vile messages were sent to Mitchell’s partner Brielle Mercy following the fiery Roosters and South Sydney clash.

Mitchell has not been the only one. Canterbury winger Jayden Okunbor called out vile racial abuse hurled towards him last August. While Manly players Sean Keppie and Marty Taupau were also the subject of hate mail last year. Police investigated the incidents but closed the investigation without chargers.

Brisbane pair Jordan Riki and Tesi Niu, posted screenshots of their inboxes after a loss last season.

Riki’s abuse included people telling him: “I’d love to see you injure yourself” and called him a “c**k licker”, a “soft hearted c**t”.