Nathan Hindmarsh no longer expects to win the favour of representative coaches, so the Eels backrower was pleased to hear fans picked the NRL All Stars squad announced on Monday.

The four-time Provan Summons medal winner, another honour picked by the fans, has had a hard time convincing selectors of his ability to shine on the game's biggest stages in recent years.

But evidently the shaggy-haired tackling machine still holds a place in the hearts of fans across Australia, having polled more votes for the February 12 match than even the electric Jarryd Hayne.

"A couple of letterbox drops helped ... you'll be surprised what business you get from a letterbox drop," Hindmarsh joked about his selection.

"It was a surprise when they told me (but) it's exciting, I'm looking forward to it.

"I've totally forgotten what goes on in camp."

Hindmarsh was one of 15 new faces from the team that were defeated 16-12 in the inaugural fixture last year, causing coach Wayne Bennett to joke that the fans had taken their lead from NSW Origin selectors.

"I thought it was the NSW selectors at work, they only left five of last year's team together," the media-shy mentor smirked.

"But I'm sure the other players will thrive after getting the opportunity to be there.

"Overall it's good. I think (the fans have) done a good job with it and I'm looking forward to working with it all again."

Other All Star rookies included Canberra young gun Josh Dugan, Manly skipper Jamie Lyon, Brisbane recruit Ben Hannant, South Sydney giant Dave Taylor, New Zealand Warriors' Feleti Mateo and Cronulla hardman Paul Gallen.

But Hindmarsh was most pleased to be playing alongside another veteran who did not attain enough fan support to get a run in the starting line-up.

Penrith champion Petero Civoniceva was pipped by fleet-footed centre Michael Jennings as the fans' choice for the Panthers, but the Queensland and Australian stalwart was given a reprieve by coach Bennett.

Bennett was able to pick two wildcard players, and he went with the experienced duo of representative regulars Civoniceva and Kurt Gidley.

And Hindmarsh couldn't be happier.

"I was asked before who I was looking forward to playing with, and I said straight away - `Petero'," Hindmarsh told AAP.

"I love playing with him, you know what you're going to get with him and he's good value in camp.

"He's a bit of a laugh and he's going to be older than me which is good.

"If I had my choice I'd pick Petero for sure, he'd have been my first pick out of Penrith but it's the fans who get to do the voting ... so it's good to see the coach get two picks and he's still gone with someone he can trust."

Elsewhere, the Indigenous team were dealt injury blows with news that South Sydney recruit Greg Inglis (hip) and Brisbane's Sam Thaiday (groin) would not be available for the match.

Inglis will be replaced by the man who vacated South Sydney to allow his contract to fit under the salary cap, Melbourne's Beau Champion, while Thaiday's replacement is yet to be named.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP