Newcastle Knights halfback Tyrone Roberts has set his sights on gaining selection in the Indigenous All Stars side to play the NRL All Stars side on the Gold Coast on February 13.
“It would obviously be a great honour to be selected, but there’s a great range of halves that have been nominated,” Roberts told Knights TV on Tuesday.
Roberts says with the likes of Jamie Soward, Johnathan Thurston and Chris Sandow in the halves, there’s plenty of quality talent that’s sure to create stiff competition in who makes the publicly voted line-up.
Last year Roberts captained the Knights in the trial match against the First Nations Goannas at Hunter Stadium, an experience he describes as an incredible privilege.
“We had it here last year and it was a good week so I just want to be a part of it,” he said.
“It would be a great opportunity to be able to be a part of the week again.
“What a great way to celebrate Indigenous culture, through a great sport and I’m hoping people from Indigenous communities can get down to enjoy the game.”
If he is selected in the Indigenous All Stars line-up, there is the chance he’d face up against one or more of his Knights teammates who could be picked in the NRL All Stars team lead by former coach Wayne Bennett.
“It would be great, what happens on the field stays on the field,” he said.
“We would be up there to celebrate Indigenous culture and getting out into the community. I plan on enjoying that if I get selected."
Roberts has eased back well into pre-season and has been a standout performer in the squad’s fitness training.
“The first week is always the worst week," he said.
"You just have to put your head down and train hard.
“The first weeks are all about getting yourself back on track. The more you train harder, the easier it is."
Now with a number of Knights pre-seasons under his belt, the 23-year-old is happy to set a positive example for emerging Knights training with the NRL squad for the pre-season.
“There’s a couple of young guys coming through from under 20s, so it’s always good to be a role model for them,” he said.
“I’m sure to take some tips out of their book and put it in my own game as well.”
Yet, one of the most exciting moments of his pre-season has happened away from the training fields.
He and his partner Brittany have recently welcomed their first daughter, Leilani Blue.
“It’s been a learning curve at the moment, but it’s good, she’s sleeping well and I can’t wait for her to grow up," he said.
“It’s a wonderful journey at the moment and I’m looking forward to it.”
Vote for Tyrone Roberts to be selected in the Indigenous All Stars HERE. Voting ends on January 9 with the team announced on January 19.
