St George Illawarra playmaker Jack Bird has been forced to withdraw from the Indigenous All Stars camp with the older brother of Latrell Mitchell called up as his replacement.
Shaq Mitchell is a 25-year-old prop who has never played an NRL game but has been training with South Sydney's NSW Cup side after reportedly losing 30kg.
Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley confirmed the change to his side, who will take on the Maori All Stars at Parramatta's Commbank Stadium on Saturday.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing him play because I spoke to his coach Jason Demetriou and he said for a big man he has tremendous skill," Daley told Sky Sports Radio on Monday.
"I haven't seen him play. I remember hearing and reading about him coming through the junior grades.
"He obviously had a little bit of an issue with his weight, but he has lost a few kilos while training with the Rabbitohs over the off-season."
There will be no opportunity for Latrell and Shaq to take the field together, however, with the former still suspended for his hit on Sydney Roosters centre Joey Manu last season.
Latrell is not allowed to play in the All Stars clash but will be available for the Rabbitohs' Charity Shield clash against St George Illawarra the following week.
His NRL return is scheduled for Souths' round three game against the Roosters.
For Shaq, who will feature in an Indigenous side that is light on in the forwards, the fixture gives him the opportunity to put himself in the shop window for a permanent NRL contract.
St George Illawarra prop Josh Kerr and Cowboys forward Jamayne Taunoa-Brown are two players who have advanced their careers in recent years by playing in the All Stars game.
