FORMER Bathurst Penguin George Rose may have been considering retirement from the NRL, but fans have given the barnstorming prop a very big indication they are happy he decided against hanging up his boots.

On the back of votes from rugby league fans across Australia, Rose has earned a place in the star-studded Indigenous All Stars’ starting 13 for their pre-season fixture against the NRL All Stars.

“Being named for the Indigenous All Stars is something that makes me extremely proud and I am honoured to be able to make my fifth appearance,” Rose said.

“I am grateful for those [Dragons] members and supporters who voted for me and I look forward to taking to the field and testing myself against some the biggest names in our game.

“It is a special part of the pre-season calendar and I know all the players who have been part of this great team over the years look forward to putting on the jersey.”

After stints at Penrith and the Sydney Roosters to start his NRL career, it was in a Manly Sea Eagles jersey that Rose built his cult following.

Earning the nickname ‘gorgeous George’, Rose defied the mould of a modern league player as he not only enjoyed his steak dinners, but good success on the field.

He won a premiership with Manly in 2011 and played in the 2013 grand final before spending last year with Melbourne Storm.

Rose had limited NRL game time with the Victorian club and when they did not offer him a contract extension, he seriously considered calling time on his NRL career.

But, after being handed a lifeline by St George Illawarra, Rose will embark on yet another season in Australia’s top flight in 2015.

Before Rose gets to prove his worth to the Dragons, he will add to what is an already impressive record playing for indigenous teams.

In 2008, he featured for the Indigenous Dreamtime team against the New Zealand Maori in a curtain-raiser to the opening game of the World Cup. 

Rose then went on to feature for the Indigenous All Stars in their inaugural match against the NRL All Stars to kick off the 2010 NRL season. He has been a member of that side ever since.

“I’m stoked to be back with the team, I love catching up with the boys, the whole week we spend together is a really good time,” Rose said.

“It’s good learning things from the boys up there and stealing a few ideas on how to be a bit better on and off the field, so it’s a real good opportunity.

“It’s something I’m very proud of. Since the original game it’s something I’ve always wanted to be a part of and to know it was on again this year, I was pretty excited about that. It was sort of motivational over the pre-season.

“I look forward to taking to the field and testing myself against some of the biggest names in our game.”

While NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett picked his team for the February 13 match at Cbus Super Stadium, fans decided the make up of the Indigenous All Stars with more than 15,000 votes cast.

Rose will join the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis will Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday and Ben Barba in the squad, which will be coached by Laurie Daley. 

Rose will be hoping to help the squad retain the Arthur Beetson Trophy following their 2013 win at Suncorp Stadium.

2015 INDIGENOUS ALL STARS: 1 Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs), 2 Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), 3 Will Chambers (Storm), 4 Justin Hodges (Broncos), 5 Josh Hoffman (Titans), 6 Ben Barba (Sharks), 7 Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys), 8 George Rose (Dragons), 9 Ray Thompson (Cowboys), 10 Ryan James (Titans), 11 Tyrone Peachey (Panthers), 12 Sam Thaiday (Broncos), 13 Greg Bird (Titans), 14 Chris Sandow (Eels), 15 Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Storm), 16 Dane Gagai (Knights), 17 Kyle Turner (Rabbitohs), 18 Jack Wighton (Raiders), 19 Kierran Moseley (Titans), 20 Brad Tighe (Titans).