Why David Fifita can be the brightest star of a new generation of Indigenous rugby league heroes

David Fifita remembers all the great Indigenous All Stars. They're part of what makes the team he'll play for on Saturday so special.

Just as Fifita grew up watching Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston and Justin Hodges play for the All Stars, now a new generation of Indigenous youth watch Josh Addo-Carr, Nicho Hynes and Fifita himself.

It's not a responsibility Fifita takes lightly. He's had to grow up very quickly since his NRL debut as a fresh 18-year-old back in 2018.

«It's a privilege to play in these type of games, to represent my mum's heritage and my nan and make them proud. To do it with a mad group of boys, I'm really looking forward to it,» Fifita said.

«I've been in camp for a few years now. We're different to other cultures. We're a proud culture, both Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander. Our bond, our laughter, is what brings us together and we play a different kind of footy to other people.

»«I hope people do look up to me, I try to be a good person on and off the field, and if there's any kids out there (who look up to me) I'll be amazed. I'm blessed to be in the position I'm in.

»(I'm looking forward to playing with) all of them, but especially the young lads, Hamiso (Tabuai-Fidow), Selwyn Cobbo, Nicho Hynes, young (Tyrell) Sloan — there's some great young talent there coming up."

It's a measure of how fast everything has happened to Fifita that he calls those guys «the young lads». Tabuai-Fidow is just over 12 months younger than Fifita. Hynes is almost four years older.

Fifita isn't feeling the ravages of age just yet – he's still 21 himself, turning 22 later this month – but he's had the speed and power of a grown man for a long time now.

«I'm pretty much in that category, I'm young, and hopefully we all stay