This time last year Ryan James couldn't help but question whether he was up to NRL standard as he prepared to return from back-to-back ACL injuries.
After easing his concerns with a solid season for Canberra, James makes his comeback to the representative arena on Saturday night with his first Indigenous All Stars cap since 2017.
Still only 30, and having notched up 158 first-grade matches, James will use the All Stars clash as a springboard into a new campaign with Brisbane following a move back to his home state.
"It was such a long time (out with injury) and you start to doubt yourself," James told AAP.
"Once I got through last season, I was happily able to play footy again.
"I'm grateful the Broncos gave us an opportunity up the road (from my home on the Gold Coast) and hopefully I'll give them the best for the rest of my career."
It was a decade ago that a long-haired James featured in just the second All Stars match, back when the Indigenous team faced the NRL All Stars instead of a Maori side.
The proud Bundjalung man's grandfather, from whom he traces his Aboriginal heritage, died since he last featured in the All Stars game making this weekend's fixture all the more special.
While the exhibition will be staged in Sydney for the first time at CommBank Stadium, James floated the idea of the Maori All Stars being hosts in 2023.
"It'd be great to take this game over to New Zealand, hopefully, if it's possible because they haven't seen football in two years," he said.
"What better way to celebrate them looking after the NRL and keeping (the competition) alive than giving them the All Stars game?"
Destructive second-rower David Fifita, coming off an injury-free pre-season, is primed to explode for the Indigenous team.
Fifita is only 21 but knows the impact he and his teammates can have.
"We're different to other cultures. We're a proud culture, both Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander," the Titans star said.
"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 (idolising me) I'll be amazed.
"I'm blessed to be in the position I'm in."
