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Ferguson rejuvenated ahead of All Stars

3 minute read

Parramatta Eels winger Blake Ferguson has his eyes set on a big NRL season after coming off a run of injuries.

BLAKE FERGUSON.
BLAKE FERGUSON. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Coming off consecutive years of nursing injuries, Parramatta winger Blake Ferguson says he couldn't be in better shape ahead of this weeks NRL All Stars match.

The former NSW flyer managed a knee issue throughout the 2020 NRL season and has struggled with injuries the past three years.

Ferguson is a focal point of the Indigenous All Stars and is eager to get back playing at full capacity, starting with Saturday night's game in Townsville.

"I feel unbelievable, to be honest. This is probably the first time I've been able to do everything at club level and train hard," he said.

"For the last three years I've been struggling, but this is probably going to be one of my best seasons."

A big loss to the Indigenous team is Ferguson's good friend, Josh Addo-Carr, who is stuck in Melbourne due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Ferguson says Addo-Carr will be missed, especially by some of the younger players in the team.

"Just having his presence around the boys and the young kids, he's does a lot for the game and he's well respected within our communities and it's disappointing to not have him here," he said.

"We've known each other for a pretty long time and we're from the same hometown. We're both Wiradjuri men and that's just the way it is. I guess we'll see him next year."

The Maori All Stars have also lost some players and have called up some young local talent to the squad.

North Queensland's New Zealand-born centre Esan Marsters says any representative opportunity is a shot at putting his hand up for positions within his club.

"I want to go out there and show what I can do, and push for a spot in the team to hopefully play round one," he said.

"I've been in the Maori camp two years in a row now and I've loved and enjoyed it.

"It's a great opportunity for me to learn from some of top players in the game, and it's always an honour to come represent your culture and your people."

Marsters will be joined by fellow Cowboys Emry Pere and Daejarn Asi in the Maori squad, with Reuben Cotter added to the Indigenous team.

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