Newcastle Knights’ centre Dane Gagai is honoured to play in Sunday’s Close the Gap Round against the New Zealand Warriors at Hunter Stadium and to don the Knights Indigenous jersey for the second time this season.
“It’s a big week for not just the NRL, but for the community,” Gagai said about the Close the Gap Round that is celebrated throughout the NRL in Round 23.
“It’s about making Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people aware of living a health lifestyle.
“It’s also about educating the younger generations.
On Sunday, the players will take the field in specially designed 2014 Indigenous jersey, worn for the first time by the Knights in the team’s trial match against the First Nations Goannas.
“To be able to play in the Indigenous jersey again this week it going to be a great honour,” Gagai told Knights TV reporter Tama Koopu.
“I got to play in it early this year against the Goannas, so to be able to do it in a fixture round is great.
“A few of us boys have also taken our boots in to be painted by Daren Dunn, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they turn out.”
The 23-year-old centre anticipates a tough game against the New Zealand Warriors, but believes the Knights are up for the challenge following last weekend’s exciting win against the Melbourne Storm.
“It’s going to be a tough game and we can hopefully back up again from last week,” he said.
“You never know what a team is going to bring on the day, we have to make sure we come prepared and ready.
“That’s the only thing we can control so we have to just go out and do our job.
“I just hope the fans come down and support us like they did last week and really get behind us and behind Close the Gap.”
Buy your tickets for the Knights v Warriors Close the gap game at Hunter Stadium on Sunday HERE.
