Coonabararan junior Kyle Turner will return to the stage which almost ended his career when he lines up for the Indigenous All Stars at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.
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In February of 2015, Turner made his All Stars debut but his match ended in horror circumstances when a tackle from Paul Gallen left him with a protruding disc pressing on his spine.
Many, including Turner at times, thought he would be forced to retire but after having a plate inserted between his C5 and C6 vertebrae the former Unicorns junior has gone on to play another 29 NRL matches.
The South Sydney man will line up at lock on Friday night against the World All Stars in the much-hyped pre-season clash.
The match is an important one for Turner and all of the players who will wear the Indigenous jerseys, with captain Greg Inglis saying the fixture means a lot.
"While we'll be doing everything we can as a team to win [on Friday], and encourage everyone to head to Newcastle to cheer us on, the most important result for us as a group is to best represent our family, people and culture, both past and present, as leaders on and off the field,” Inglis said.
Turner is part of an Indigenous side which coach Laure Daley describes as the strongest ever, with names like Inglis, Jonathon Thurston, Ash Taylor and Latrell Mitchell all featuring.
Penrith’s Bryce Cartwright and Raiders’ skipper Jarrod Croker headline the World All Stars side, which also includes Sydney Roosters hooker Jake Friend.
Kick-off is 8pm Friday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
