You can agree, or shoot me down all you like, but I believe there is a worthy place for the City-Country fixture on our rugby league calendar.
Around this time every year, widespread debate is sparked over the merits of keeping the traditional game going, or axing it completely.
Please allow me to offer my dollar’s worth on the issue here on The Roar.
I played just one game for City – it was last year in Mudgee – and from a player’s perspective I can report that it was a most enjoyable week, capped by the honour of representing the area in which I began my junior footy.
It was a tremendous thrill for this Penrith Panthers junior to be picked for the City team, and I still value that blue and gold jumper and the overall experience to this day.
We had a terrific week in camp leading up to the game. There was a lot of light-hearted banter among the boys and it was really interesting moving to a new environment and mixing with quality players from other clubs.
The week was capped off by an upset City win. Scoring a couple of tries and kicking a few goals certainly added to my enjoyment!
The city of Mudgee loved having the big show in their backyard. You could feel the excitement and enthusiasm from the people there, young and old, and there many who travelled long distances from other country regions to see the league stars in the flesh.
As a community, we keep talking about looking after the grassroots, and I believe this annual game does a lot to promote rugby league and generate extra interest in regional areas that crave it most.
Perhaps City-Country has run its race at City venues, but they absolutely love it in the bush. Coffs Harbour, hosting this year’s event, will be on a rugby league high this week and I suspect for many months to follow.
I realise that a large number of first choice players won’t be competing for the City or Country teams because of injury concerns, but that gives yet another wave of up-and-coming stars the chance to show what they can do at representative level.
If there is a late injury to an Origin player, Blues coach Laurie Daley would at least have an idea on whether his second or third choice looks capable of handling the step up from grade and can perform in top company.
As far as I’m concerned the critics can argue against the value of City-Country until the cows come home (pun intended). I believe the game achieves far more good than bad.
Mailman
Guest
Which is it? The Dogs pulled Reynolds, but he wanted to play or Reynolds didn't want to play because of his sore shoulder? If the latter then why is there a headline that he's (Reynolds) dirty at being pulled out of the game.
Mailman
Guest
C'mon I'm sure you'll have a peek.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
THey pulled him out cause of his shoulder. The same one he told Fittler was hurting after the match when he asked him.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
you blokes are spot on. The players cant be bothered so why should the fans?
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
100% correct. You should have Guru under your name. Turner should have dunce.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
The game is normally boring and meaningless. Who has won the last 5 clashes? More importantly, who cares besides you and Turner?
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
creates unnecessary injuries.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
The City vs Country match is a complete waste of time. Zero interest.
Mailman
Guest
Perhaps you can ask your club why they pulled Reynolds out?
Monocrete
Guest
Perhaps this is why the players were so for the rep weekend so they could have a break...
Worlds Biggest
Guest
If it was a genuine Origin selection trial ( save for a couple of certaintys ) then it would bring back a lot of it's appeal. I'm sure the players in particular the younger ones really enjoy it and just as importantly the county folk who don't get to see these players up close and personal too often. I think this game should be played 3 to 4 weeks out from Origin I. After the game the Origin squad is selected.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I like watching the Test match, I haven't bothered watching a city country match in years.
snowmann
Guest
Well can you tell that to She-Rex, this guy has gotten worse since making rep sides and he is a disgrace to my teams colours.
James T
Guest
Who really looks forward to city country, or the test for that matter. The bush needs support but this is not the way when coaches do not respect the concept. Better off to send one club game each to regional areas, even if it is when everyone hosts the warriors or cowboys it will do more for footy than one meaningless game that qld don't have to play
Bearfax
Guest
Players improve given the amount of chances they have to play against the top players in strong teams. Look at Queensland with far less available players for SOO and yet they bring along an unknown, who's probably not even as good as a NSW player at that stage who doesnt get selection opportunities and before you know it you have the next player knocking on the door for international selection. The more first grade games a player plays the better he becomes. The more rep games at any level they play, the better they become. The more internationals they play the better than become. It's the necessity to raise the level of performance and know they can play against the best in a higher quality game, that improves a player's performance. Of course it depends on the player's potential, but playing rep football says to a player that you are being recognised for your ability. It therefore raises their effort and their confidence that they can reach the next standard. The more rep games there are, the better the skill level of each player.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I think if we want to bring games to the bush, then make it NRL games, or even some NSW Cup games to headline a local derby match on the day. Each NSW Cup team can take a game to the bush each round to assist a group. May not be NRL quality, but the level below is still pretty good to watch.
dayer
Guest
I am a QLDER and we do not need this baseless game to pick our SOO players, it is a big waste of time and money to promote this silly so called rep game. boo hoo hoo.
Chui
Guest
Agreed. Lets hope Reynolds has an absolute blinder - not that it will make a lick of difference.
peeeko
Roar Guru
with the withdrawals from the city side its hardly a rep team. Curtis SIronen, jamie Tedesco and nathan peats have not earned a rep jersey at this stage of their career. joel reddy is also a fringe first grader at best
Matt
Guest
As per the others above, not only do some players probably think it's below them, some are genuinely concerned about playing a "pointless" game and risking injury. Does anyone have an examples of a player who wasn't in contention, played a good game, then got picked? The squad is already decided, and this game isn't going to change that. And fair enough, the first 6 rounds offer far more insight into form then 1 game in a team where the teams are unfamiliar, the structures are different from their club etc. If top level players are pulling out, and a bunch of randoms are playing, it achieves what exactly? A small crowd exhibition game which doesn't mean anything. I was going to say a lot of players are also unavailable for selection due to playing for Aus, but that hasn't been much of a problem in recent years ;)