PLAYING in his first All-Stars match newly-appointed Indigenous captain Cody Walker, from Nowra, could be forgiven for feeling nervous ahead of Friday night's Melbourne game.
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But New Zealand Maori skipper veteran Adam Blair was the one admitting to butterflies after their final training session ahead of the AAMI Park match.
It's the first time the Indigenous All-Stars have faced a Maori team, who have replaced the World All-Stars this year.
Blair, who has played 293 NRL games, four grand finals, and represented the Kiwi team 48 times, said he felt more nervous than when he'd played in the Test arena.
"To be honest I'm quite nervous sitting up here," the 32-year-old said at the press conference.
"It's a massive honour and a privilege to represent my culture and my heritage.
"Why I'm nervous is because I don't want to let my people down, we're going out there to do them proud and I just want to make sure that I do them justice."
Walker was a surprise choice to lead the Indigenous team in his All-Stars debut.
He was chosen by coach Laurie Daley over more experienced campaigners Will Chambers and Andrew Fifita.
"He was the stand out leader through the week and in the end it was quite easy and I think Cody will thrive on being captain," Daley said.
"He will lift the boys and they respect him which is important."
Walker said he'd bought a fan jersey ahead of the first All-Stars match back in 2010, and now had one of his own.
"It's a pretty surreal moment," the South Sydney playmaker said.
"If you had told me five or six years ago I'd be captain of the Indigenous team I would have laughed at you.
"It's something I'm really proud of and I can't wait to get out there and represent my people."
