Newcastle's 1997 premiership hero Darren Albert has switched codes and will make a surprise appearance for Gold Coast in Queensland premier club rugby on Saturday.

Former Knights winger Albert will come off the bench for the fourth-placed Breakers as they host defending premiers Easts at the aptly-named Albert Park.

The still-fit and fast 33-year-old has been persuaded to continue his football career by friend and England sevens specialist Ben Gollings.

Albert, who retired in early 2007 after also playing for Cronulla and English club St Helens, admitted confronting the Tigers would be a big test of his limited rugby experience.

"It should be a good initiation - Easts are going pretty well," he said.

"But the Breakers forwards look like they're big enough to look after me so I'm happy with that."

Albert's name went down in league folklore when he crossed in the dying seconds of the 1997 ARL grand final against Manly to cap an amazing comeback by Newcastle.

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