Jamie Soward added to Dreamtime team

St George Illawarra Dragons five-eighth Jamie Soward has been selected in the Aboriginal Dreamtime team and will take the field on Sunday, October 26, against New Zealand Maori at the Sydney Football Stadium.

A late call up, the 23-year-old Soward will start at five-eighth, replacing the South Sydney Rabbitohs' Beau Champion.

Dragons Media reports that Soward has aboriginal heritage from his Dad's side of the family and is part of the "Wradjuri" tribe.

"It is a big honour to be part of this side," Soward said.

"I'm proud of my heritage and to be out there with Australia's best Aboriginal players is great."

A standout performer in 2008, Soward was recently named in the NRL.com's Team of the Year at five eighth and was joint winner of the LeagueUnlimited.com's Player of the Year. The Dreamtime team selection caps off a series of belated honours for Soward who was controversially overlooked by outgoing Dragons coach Nathan Brown at back-end of the season.

The Dreamtime team will take on New Zealand Maori in the Rugby League World Cup curtain raiser. The programme includes the Official Opening Ceremony for the World Cup as well as the main Australia v New Zealand fixture.

EVENT TIMES - Sydney Football Stadium - Sunday October 26 4.00pm: Gates open 4.15pm: Aboriginal Dreamtime team v NZ Maori 6.20pm: Music Festival 7.20pm: Opening Ceremony 8.00pm: Australia v New Zealand