A DESIRE to play alongside his younger brother Jacob for the first time has prompted Knights veteran Dane Gagai to make a surprise appearance for the NZ Maori against the Indigenous All Stars in the annual pre-season representative match in Townsville on Friday week.
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The two Gagai siblings were named on Thursday in the 20-man Maori squad, which also features Knights prop Leo Thompson, who last year played in three Tests for New Zealand.
The Indigenous squad, to be coached by Newcastle's Ron Griffiths, includes Knights lock Adam Elliott, but NSW Origin centre Bradman Best was disappointed to rule himself out after suffering a quadriceps strain.
Dane has previously played three times for the Indigenous side and once for the Maori, most recently in 2019.
At 33, it is understood he was leaning towards bypassing the All Stars, but when he learned that his 28-year-old sibling was being considered, realised this would be a unique opportunity to play in the same team.
While Dane has played in 268 NRL games, 22 Origins and seven Tests, Jacob is yet to make his top-grade debut after NSW Cup stints with the Knights, Rabbitohs and in the Newcastle Rugby League competition.
The Gagais will be joined in the Maori squad by Dane's Newcastle teammate and New Zealand Test prop Leo Thompson.
Only one Knights player, lock Adam Elliott, features in the Indigenous squad, to be coach by Newcastle's Ron Griffiths.
Newcastle's NSW State of Origin centre Bradman Best was disappointed to rule himself out with a minor quadriceps strain.
Newcastle champion Tamika Upton will play in the women's Indigenous team, against a Maori squad that includes Knights teammates Shanice Parker and Rima Butler.
Indigenous All Stars (Men)
Josh Addo-Carr
Jacob Alick
Bailey Biondi-Odo
Bailey Butler
Josh Curran
Adam Elliott
Jordan Grant
J'maine Hopgood
Nicho Hynes
Josh Kerr
Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Latrell Mitchell
Shaquai Mitchell
Kierran Moseley
Hohepa Puru
Kotoni Staggs
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Isaiah Tass
Braydon Trindall
Cody Walker
Coach: Ronald Griffiths
Maori All Stars (Men)
Jessie Arthars
Kenny Bromwich
Dane Gagai
Jacob Gagai
Jack Howarth
Jahrome Hughes
Royce Hunt
Te Maire Martin
Trey Mooney
Briton Nikora
Kodi Nikorima
Adam Pompey
Joseph Tapine
Jazz Tevaga
Leo Thompson
Matthew Timoko
Brandon Smith
Dylan Walker
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Xavier Willison
Coach: Adam Blair
Indigenous All Stars (Women)
Shaylee Bent
Jaime Chapman
Kirra Dibb
Quincy Dodd
Monique Donovan
Taliah Fuimaono
Tallisha Harden
Kimberley Hunt
Keilee Joseph
Tommaya Kelly-Sines
Grace Kemp
Olivia Kernick
Bobbi Law
Mahalia Murphy
Jasmine Peters
Taneka Todhunter
Tamika Upton
Janelle Williams
Coach: Jess Skinner
Maori All Stars (Women)
Brooke Anderson
Corban Baxter
Annessa Biddle
Destiny Brill
Kennedy Cherrington
Zali Fay
Mya Hill-Moana
Shannon Mato
Kerehitina Matua
Raecene McGregor
Shanice Parker
Rima Pirini Butler
Ashleigh Quinlan
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Jasmin Strange
Chante Temara
Zahara Temara
Botille Vette-Welsh
Coach: Keith Hanley
