Kierran Moseley has surged back into the NRL Indigenous All-Stars side, chosen from the Norths Devils to join the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Car in the showcase match on February 11.
Moseley was named today in the 20-man squad to face the Maori All Stars in Rotorua – his second selection for the All-Stars after his 2015 appearance alongside Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis.
The proud Mitakoodi/Pitjantjatjara man said he was rapt to be selected, continuing an excellent patch of form for the Devils 2022 premiership hooker.
“I got a phone call from the coach (Ronald Griffiths) to say that I was in the mix for selection and that was enough for me just to be considered,” Moseley said.
“But then I was told that I would be selected which was a real thrill.
“It’s just a great week to represent the Indigenous team with some really good people. We get together as a pretty close group.”
The selection is reward for Moseley’s outstanding end to last season. He fought back from a broken arm in May to return to the field in August. From that moment, the Devils won seven consecutive matches including the club’s second straight premiership.
Moseley’s skill from his NRL career with Penrith and the Gold Coast Titans shone in the finals including a solo try against minor premiers Burleigh Bears that ignited the Devils’ finals run.
Moseley will take time off his role as a youth worker to bring his specialist No.9 skills to the Indigenous team.
It’s the latest step in a rugby league journey that started when Moseley left his hometown Cloncurry for a few months to play for the Townsville Stingers in the Queensland Under 16 competition.
Moseley was placed with a Townsville family and enrolled at Kirwan State High School while the competition was held but he never went back to Cloncurry.
“My Mum laughed and told me she would never have let me go if she knew I was going to be away for so long,” Moseley said.
“I didn’t expect I would be in Townsville after that first season finished but I guess I’m still going on that journey.”
Moseley was spotted playing for Kirwan High by coach Garth Brennan, who was working in the Penrith Panthers system at the time. Moseley signed for Penrith and made his NRL debut as a 20-year-old before moving to the Gold Coast Titans.
Devils coach Dave Elliott has praised Moseley’s commitment in the pre-season as the Devils prepare for their first trial match on the same night that Moseley will represent the NRL Indigenous All-Stars.
“We’re delighted for Kierran and it’s great recognition of his skill and his great contribution in team environments,” Elliott said.
“Kierran continues to show real leadership with the Devils and we’re looking forward to watching him get this chance in Rotorua.”
Moseley said he was enjoying the Devils pre-season as the club welcomes some new faces for 2023.
“It’s a younger squad compared with last year but we’ll be ready to go,” he said.