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Country 34
defeat
City 22
Well a very good game of footy from McDonalds Park in Wagga Wagga and in the end Country are deserved winners on the back of a super display of rugby league from James Maloney who took out man of the match honours.
Maloney was backed up very strongly by the rest of the Country outfit, namely in the shape of Ryan Hinchcliffe along with Dragons duo Joel Thompson and Mitch Rein.
Tariq Sims also had some very handy runs when he got involved with the game. Meanwhile the best on ground for City were Josh Reynolds, Blake Austin and Waqa Blake along with a damaging second half from Andrew Fifita.
It wasn’t all one way traffic though with City starting the game incredibly well, racing to a 10-0 lead after just 12 minutes on the back of some brilliant team play, with both tries starting from inside their own half and finishing in the hands of Blake Austin as he scored the first two of his three tries for the game.
City’s first two tries really came against the run of play as Country started the game quite strongly. However following those two tries, and a quiet start from man of the match James Maloney, Country finally turned up to the game and Maloney powered them to a 12-10 half time lead on the back of tries to Newcastle Knights wing combination James McManus and Akuilla Uate.
After the half time break it was all one way traffic early with City seeming to be stuck in the dressing sheds in first gear as Country completely took over the game. Tries to David Mead and Tariq Sims gave them a healthy 14-point lead at one stage on the back of a mountain of possession and territory.
City were really struggling to get into the game during the opening exchanges of the second half but eventually they did on the back of some really big runs from front rower Andrew Fifita.
Josh Reynolds’ kicking game started to take shape and become quite good as City got themselves back into the contest and within two points at one stage after 64 minutes with tries to Blake Austin and James Tedesco. However from there Country dominated the final 15 minutes running on another two tries to Canberra Raiders duo Jarrod Croker and Jack Wighton.
Another key part to take out of this game was Josh Reynolds being placed on report not once but twice. He could be in some serious trouble with the judiciary for an attempted trip and then a nasty looking challenge on David Mead.
In the end though Country far to strong for city winning by 12 points.
In a fixture that seems to be losing importance with every passing year, no doubt with plenty of spots up for grabs in the New South Wales origin side the players won’t be seeing it that way when Country clash with City in the annual fixture from McDonalds Park in Wagga Wagga. Join The Roar from 1:30pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
In the 2014 clash, we saw an epic encounter at Apex Oval in Dubbo that ended in a 26-all draw between the two sides. Hopefully in 2015 we get a similar close clash and all the players get the opportunity to express themselves.
As of Wednesday evening there have already been some injury concerns and players pulling out of the game. Dylan Walker and Luke Keary have pulled out of the game for City meaning that James Tedesco comes into the wing and James Roberts will play in centre whilst Blake Austin will play in the halves.
For Country James Maloney has pulled out with Jack Bird to come into the starting side and Mitch Rein added to the bench.
On the team front and City coach Brad Fittler has named an exciting looking team. With the likes of Matt Moylan, James Tedesco, Josh Reynolds, Andrew Fifita, Nathan Peats, David Klemmer and captain Wade Graham it forms an incredibly talented team.
Add rookies James Roberts, Tyrone Peachey and Blake Austin who have all been in good form and if they combine well it will be a very good team to watch. Interestingly the whole City bench is on debut, however some have played international rugby league.
For Country we see a Canberra combination of Jarrod Croker and Jack Wighton in the centres. David Mead will line up at fullback as he did last year and the Knights’ pairing of Akuilla Uate and James McManus will be on the wings. Jack Bird, with just a handful of first grade games and in super form, joins James Maloney in the halves. The forward pack seems a little under strength but it will be interesting to see how Joel Thompson and Tyson Frizzel perform with both being touted as Blues bolters.
The key battle of this game looks to be that of the five-eights: James Maloney for Country and Josh Reynolds for City. Both seem to be fighting for a spot in the New South Wales State of Origin team and will want to outshine the other.
Making the battle even more intriguing is the fact that neither of the players have been in great form this season. Both will be keen to turn that fact around.
Country are going to be facing some serious nightmares with James Tedesco and one of the fastest players in the game in James Roberts. Both have been in top form at club level so for Country to win they are going to need to shut that combination down.
City’s main worry should come in the form of Ryan James and Tariq Sims off the bench. If they come on as the City forward pack tire then one would expect Country to run up a score during the middle part of the game.
Prediction: For mine, it looks like City should have too much for Country but none the less itll still be an interesting game.
City by 6.
Join the Roar from 1:30 pm (AEST) for live coverage and be sure to leave your comments throughout the game.