Footy fans in the Western Riverina will receive a rare summer treat this Saturday night in the form of an invitational showdown between the NSW Indigenous RL and Group 20 Pasifika teams at the Darlington Point Sportsground.

With the vast majority of both teams selected from local talent, the match will showcase the best Indigenous, Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Papua New Guinean and Tokelauan talent in the region in the representative arena.

Event co-organiser and DPC Roosters co-coach Guy Thompson said that although the match was organised at short notice and against the odds, he is confident that it will showcase the best of the game, culture and community.

“Going on three weeks ago, I had a lot of people telling me [that] me and Dargs [Troy Dargin] were crazy trying to get it off the ground,” he said.

“I think it’s a good incentive to the whole Riverina, the back end of the season, there’s not much footy being played, and people are stepping away from the game.

“The whole idea behind it is just about culture, family, and giving back to the community as a whole.

“If it gets a couple of these young people out of not playing sport and getting them into sport, that’s going to be a big positive and a big win.”

Although sanctioned by the NSWRL, the event has been organised independently, with Thompson and his fellow organiser Troy Dargin doing most of the marketing themselves.

Despite this, Thompson said that social media trends have indicated hype is building around the region ahead of the match.

“It’s getting a lot of traction through the socials and I’ve had a couple of messages from a few people,” he said.

“I’m hearing that a few people will turn up, but we won’t know until the day

“If we had maybe six weeks to plan it, instead of three that would have been good, but we’ve kind of rushed it through in three weeks time, so I think there will be a few people there.

“Everyone will bring their families, and it’s alcohol free, we’re trying to create a more community based event.”

The event will feature many of the household names of the Group 20 competition proudly playing for their families, including Shan Bradbrook and Orisi Rokobati for the Pasifika team and Ben Jeffery and Billy Ingram on the Indigenous side.

As for what it will mean to Thompson himself to wear the Indigenous jersey and represent his culture, the two-time Group 20 premiership winner said that it will be among the biggest honours of his career.

“It gives me goosebumps, I’ve been wanting to do this for a couple of years, but I’ve been held back and haven’t known what way to do it, but having Dargs on board [helped],” he said.

“I know just from our Indigenous side of things it’s massive.

“Not only that, I think it’s big for the Pasifika side too, I think the Pasifika culture within Griffith is just as big as the Indigenous, so that’s the reason we’ve done it.

“Pacific Islanders give a lot to the game, especially around the Riverina, and I think they’re going to love it just as much as we are.

“We just hope it’s a big successful day at the end and we can come back next year and do it all again bigger and better with a lot more planning.”

The match kicks off at 6pm on Saturday night at the Darlington Point Sportsground, located on the lands of the Waddi clan of the Wiradjuri nation.

NSW Indigenous Invitational team: 1. Isaiah Little, 2. Caleb Atkinson , 3. Cody Bell, 4. Cleveland McGhie, 5. Noah Beale, 6. Isaac Morris, 7. Tristan Eldridge, 8. Joel Tracey, 9. Ben Jeffery, 10. Thomas Watego, 11. Brody Tracey, 12. Bodean Tereva, 13. Guy Thompson, 14. Jack Simpson, 15. D’andre Williams, 16. Barlow Simpson, 17. Chaise Sergi, 18. Deaking Bright, 19. Bernie Simpson, 20. Malek Lyons, 21. Billy Ingram, 22. Mathew Adam, 23. Corey Charles, 24. Troy Dargin. Coach: Guy Thompson.

Group 20 Pasifika team: 1. Josh Onekawa, 2. Linsay Maiava, 3. James Tafiti, 4. Sam Filipo, 5. Isaac Railo, 6. Shan Bradbrook, 7. Kobe Joe Vulu, 8. Tupou Uhi, 9. Sireli Vuluano, 10. Elvis Nauer, 11. Mason Payne, 12. William Charles, 13. Ulai Oti-Lahood, 14. Sonny Tupuola, 15. Isaiah Nauer, 16. Elwyn Ravu, 17. Joseph Kumar, 18. Jerry Balenawi, 19. Eseroma Nawaqa, 20. Junior Lilomaiava, 21. Orisi Rokobati, 22. Salesi Fatafehi, 23. Sione Tulahe, 24. Paulo Scanlan, 25. Saul Railo. Coach: Willie Lolohea.