NSW City coach Brad Fittler has urged the NRL to take more control over the availability of players during the representative season.
An upset Fittler was forced into a number of last-minute changes to his City team on Monday before naming a staggering ten debutants to take on NSW Country in annual fixture in Tamworth on Sunday.
Fittler expected the governing body to review the scheduling, and selection process, of the match.
“This game, and this (representative) round, afterwards should be looked at pretty closely by the NRL,” Fittler said.
“They will look at it closely and they should look at it closely.
“The fact that other people have control over players’ opportunity to play rep football … that’s normally a lot of coaches.
“So the appropriateness of this round and this game will definitely be looked at. It’s important the NRL take control, it’s as simple as that.”
Country counterpart Craig Fitzgibbon had far less trouble naming his team, saying that none of his selections had personally rung him to pull out.
He praised St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor and Canberra mentor Ricky Stuart for allowing their players to play despite the two teams being due to face off four days after City v Country match.
There are a combined eight players from the Dragons and Raiders in the fixture.
“I’d especially like to thank the coaches that have released their players,” Fitzgibbon said.
“From my case in particular, Paul McGregor and Ricky Stuart, who’ve got a four-day turnaround. They play each other on Thursday after our game and both those guys were enthusiastic about their players coming to represent Country.”
Fittler’s comments come after at least six options at fullback, including NSW State of Origin hopefuls Matt Moylan, James Tedesco, and Lachlan Coote were ruled out through injury.
Fittler’s first-choice candidate, Will Hopoate, has opted not to play on Sundays for religious reasons.
Parramatta winger Clinton Gutherson is likely to play in the No.1.
Fittler revealed Blues coach Laurie Daley wanted to trial North Queensland star Coote at five-eighth against Country. However was unavailable due to a rib problem.
“He (Coote) played five-eighth for Penrith and having a left foot is a real advantage. Just maybe that would be something that could get him over the line if he wanted to play State of Origin,” Fittler said.
Young Sydney Roosters pivot Ryan Matterson has been named 18th after playing just two NRL games.
NSW City Origin: Chris Lawrence (c), Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Bryce Cartwright, Addin Fonua-Blake, Aaron Gray, Clint Gutherson, Leilani Latu, Kyle Lovett, Josh Mansour, Tyrone Peachey, Nathan Peats, Aidan Sezer, Curtis Sironen, Tom Symonds, Chad Townsend, Jake Trbojevic. Ryan Matterson (18th man).
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Having a week off to recharge their batteries during the bye did nothing to stop South Sydney’s season from hell descending further into the…
Taane Milne was binned for a horrible cannonball-style tackle in the waning moments of the Storm-Rabbitohs Anzac Day clash. The Channel Nine pundits didn't…
With just seconds left on the clock, Taane Milne tackled the legs of Cameron Munster with the Storm star already wrapped up. He was…
Souths scored three unanswered tries in the second half, threatening to make a comeback. However, Melbourne quickly snuffed it out.
"Good on ya, Kingy." Andrew Johns was struck with the ultimate commentator's curse after giving props to the Melbourne players for their ruck craft.…
Cam Munster had the ball on a string in the first half, setting up a hat-trick for Xavier Coates. Andrew Johns was left in…
