City vs. Country

[Bucking Beads]

Surprised that Shaun Fensom didn't get a call up plays great consistent footy in a very inconsistent Raiders team. Makes 40 tackles and over 100 meters each week, very underrated.

They are mad. Fensom would have played origin already if he was from QLD

 

[Fozz]

When Tony Williams is selected over Shaun Fensom, you know NSW has already given up.

 

[Broncoman]

When Tony Williams is selected over Shaun Fensom, you know NSW has already given up.

His selection must dissapoint anyone that has been having a dig.

 

[Alec]

Yeah, Fensom not being selected and Williams starting just shows what a joke this game is.

 

[Big Pete]

T-Rex and Fensom represent different sides.

Fensom's spot came down between him and Merrin and honestly I believe that's a tough match-up. Personally, I would have had my cake and ate it as well by jumping James off the bench and playing Merrin from there but I suppose the selectors want to give Trent every opportunity to impress.

This game unraveled very quickly. As expected, a bunch of players ruled themselves out leaving the City side looking like...

REVISED CITY TEAM: James Tedesco, Nathan Merritt, Michael Jennings, Joel Reddy, Jorge Taufua, Curtis Sironen, Adam Reynolds, Tim Grant, Nathan Peats, Tim Mannah, Tony Williams, Ryan Hoffman, Feleti Mateo. Interchange: Wade Graham, Andrew Fifita, Tom Symonds, Tim Grant. Jamie Buhrer (18th man).

Apparently they even had to clone Tim Grant the poor bastards.

EDIT: Adam Cuthbertson comes onto the bench apparently.

 

[Fozz]

T-Rex and Fensom represent different sides.

Fensom's spot came down between him and Merrin and honestly I believe that's a tough match-up. Personally, I would have had my cake and ate it as well by jumping James off the bench and playing Merrin from there but I suppose the selectors want to give Trent every opportunity to impress.

I figured that would be the case. However, it would still be disheartening for him to see Williams selected to start for the City while he can't even get a bench spot. I would have had Fensom in there over McKinnon or Cordner. Nothing against either of them but Fensom has been great for a few years now and really deserved a shot. James is a different type player, he's a good impact player off the bench.

Didn't one of the sides select a player who was eligible for the other side a few years back? You'd think they'd bend the rules a bit if it was a genuine Origin trial.

 

[Big Pete]

I meant James is a middle third runner, just like Fensom and Merrin. I suppose it comes down to the formation of the bench and whether you need two fringe runners or two props.

And yeah, something strange happened where one of the players qualified for both, wasn't it Orford?

 

[Broncoman]

I meant James is a middle third runner, just like Fensom and Merrin. I suppose it comes down to the formation of the bench and whether you need two fringe runners or two props.

And yeah, something strange happened where one of the players qualified for both, wasn't it Orford?

Him and Mark O'Meley, both were centrel coast juniors yet played for city.

 

[Broncoman]

Is anyone aware that in the early years of Origin NSW picked 3 players out of country competitions to play Origin. Rex Wright (Newcastle Norths), Phil Duke (Moree) and Paul Field (Cootamundra).

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Is anyone aware that in the early years of Origin NSW picked 3 players out of country competitions to play Origin. Rex Wright (Newcastle Norths), Phil Duke (Moree) and Paul Field (Cootamundra).

Phil Duke is an Origin legend (in Queensland anyway)

 

[Broncoman]

Phil Duke is an Origin legend (in Queensland anyway)

Haha yeah, he apparently gets rilled when that incident is brought up and hangs up on reporters that ask him about it.

 

[Dexter]

I really wonder why they still persist with this game

It should be replaced with emerging origin squads from both states playing each other and maybe played as a curtain raiser to the test or played in Qld country/ NSW country alternate years.
They could also consider playing a game between QLd country and NSW country with players from the Qcup and NSW cup.

 

[Broncoman]

The strongest city/country combined team out of the 34 selected would be

1: Michael Gordon
2: Akuila Uate
3: Michael Jennings
4: Jack Wighton
5: Jorge Taufua
6: James Maloney
7: Adam Reynolds
8: Tim Grant
9: Nathan Peats
10: Aiden Tolma
12: Josh Jackson
13: Trent Merrin

14: Wade Graham
15: Tariq Sims
16: Ryan James
17: Adam Cuthbertson

 

[Big Pete]

Cool idea Bman.

My version

1. Michael Gordon
2. Akuila Uate
3. Michael Jennings
4. Jack Wighton (Jamal Idris)
5. Jorge Taufua (Nathan Merritt)
6. James Maloney
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Tim Grant
9. Michael Ennis
10. Aiden Tolman
11. Josh Jackson (Tony Williams)
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Trent Merrin

14. Wade Graham
15. Ryan James (Tim Mannah)
16. Feleti Mateo
17. Andrew Fifita

Brackets would be picks based on reputation.

 

[GCBRONCO]

The most boring game on the rugby league calendar. I think this will be even less interesting than Knights-penrith last night.

Given that today's crowd is at a record low for the match it makes you wonder.

 

[Nashy]

What a brilliant crowd. They're taking advice off the NSW fans in Sydney obviously.

 

[Kaz]

You would think, seeing as it was played in Coffs Harbour that it would be a sellout crowd,

 

[Fozz]

Has Tony Williams made it onto the field? I'm not really paying attention to the game but he was warming the bench the only time I saw him.