Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr has credited the NRL All Stars game with helping to stamp out racism while also drawing attention to Indigenous issues.
Addo-Carr says he still has to deal with racist comments on a regular basis and he sees part of the role of the Indigenous All Stars team, announced this week, to show that no-one has to put up with that.
“The Indigenous boys … we’ve got to take care of the community,” Addo-Carr told bulldogs.com.au.
“I don’t want my kids to go through it, or their kids to go through it.
“Better off shutting it off now by showing people racism is still out there.
“I missed out last year so pretty keen to put the jersey on again … I never take it for granted the opportunity to represent the culture again. Can’t wait.”
The Indigenous team with fellow True Blues Andrew Fifita, Jack Bird and former Emerging Blues Kotoni Staggs, Nicho Hynes and Ryan James, meet the Maori All Stars at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta on Saturday 12 February.
Addo-Carr and six other Storm players were unable to play last year in Townsville, when a week out from the game the Victorian Government closed its borders in a snap lockdown.
Addo-Carr is now with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs after five years at Storm and is ready to spread the words of hope and encouragement using the All Stars platform once again.
“Rugby League is a part of our culture so to represent it on the big stage is very important to us,” he said. “It just goes to show if we’re doing it, young kids can do it as well.
“I remember as a young fella all I wanted to do was play in the All Stars. To do that you had to play first grade so once I did that I wasn’t stopping.
“Representing your culture goes a long way (to helping) the kids.”
Addo-Carr says the annual clash is never easy.
“It’s always a tough game against the Maori boys and I’ve got nothing but respect for them,” he said.
“The Indigenous boys will be up for it. It’ll be in Sydney so all my family will be there – it’s going to be Mickey Mouse.”
As for connecting with his new Bulldogs teammates, the NRL squad is currently in Tamworth.
“When the boys found out we were going to Tamworth for a camp it was an opportunity to get to know everyone and form that bond,” he said.
“They’re a good bunch of boys willing to work hard. It’s just about building those combinations.”
Addo-Carr went to Storm in 2017 a virtual unknown but arrives at the Bulldogs as an Origin and Test player.
“I’ve always prided myself on being a consistent football player and helping the people next to me,” he said
“I like to bring energy to the side. I know what I’m good at and what I can bring to a team.
“They always say you’re only good as your teammates, so if we can get this team firing I have no doubt everyone will go well.”
