Former Kiwis star Tawera Nikau says he's ready to play in a Christchurch earthquake charity rugby league match despite having an artificial leg.

The game in Auckland on Thursday week will feature a host of New Zealand greats such Olsen Filipaina, Kurt Sorensen, Hugh McGahan, Stacey Jones and Reuben Wiki along with several Australians including Mario Fenech and David Peachey taking part.

But it's Nikau, a feared, hard-running lock forward in his NRL days with Cronulla and Melbourne, who will be the main attraction if he takes the field at Mount Smart Stadium.

Nikau, who won a NRL premiership with the Storm in 1999, had his right leg amputated following a motorcycle accident eight years ago.

But the 44-year-old hasn't let his disability slow him down much, as he proved last year when he completed the New York marathon alongside former All Black Frank Bunce.

Next week's game has been organised by the New Zealand Rugby League and a host of former Kiwi internationals.

Gary Freeman, Monty Betham, Nigel Vagana and Nikau have helped put the teams together.

NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle said rugby league wanted to do their bit to support those affected by the earthquake.

"Everyone in the country is trying to find some way of helping the people in Christchurch and the Canterbury region," he said.

"Staging the Legends of League Charity Match is our way of bringing people in Auckland together to provide some financial support for a community that's been devastated and is in desperate need."

The list of players set to be involved so far is: Willie Talau, David Kidwell, Luke Covell, Alex Chan, Olsen Filipaina, Kurt Sorensen, Andrew Lomu, Jason Williams, Sam Panapa, Sam Panapa, Sean Hoppe, Quentin Pongia, David Peachey, Mario Fenech, Awen Guttenbiel, Stacey Jones, Monty Betham, Richie Barnett, Wairangi Koopu, Logan Swann, Joe Vagana, Ruben Wiki, Tawera Nikau, Paul Rauhihi, Jerry Seuseu, Tea Ropati, Dean Lonergan, Clayton Friend, Duane Mann, Francis Leota, Hugh McGahan.

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