The annual NSW City vs Country clash is set to kickoff at Apex Oval in Dubbo. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:00pm (AEST)
Almost every article and preview you read for this match starts by questioning its worth and relevance.
The match does have a history and most years the match itself is competitive and contested with intensity by both sides. The players obviously care, even if plenty are too “injured” to be considered for selection.
Chris Chard has the final word on the subject, here.
Anyway despite all the negative press this game gets, I always look forward to it as a contest and not just because it’s Cocky on Cocky.
City
One of the appealing things about this fixture is watching new combinations of players running around. City has cooked up a side with many debutants and players who are knocking on the door for Origin selection.
City’s backline is equal parts youth and class and these youngsters will benefit enormously from the higher standard and intensity. I expect City’s wingers Daniel Tupou and Jorge Taufua to feature prominently.
The firm of Reynolds and Reynolds will partner in the halves, each of them with a genuine claim to a blue jumper.
These two have the benefit of playing behind a fearsome forward pack that boasts Andrew Fifita and Aaron Woods as its starting props. The aggression of this side will not lessen when firebrands Darcy Lussick and Tim Grant get their turn.
Country
David Mead and Kevin Gordon will combine with ex-Titans team mate Jamal Idris in the backs, while the Knights are supplying both the halves which will give Country an edge. Jarrod Mullen’s excellent kicking game is sure to benefit his Knights winger and Blues incumbent James McManus.
Tariq Sims has been named as a starting prop alongside the tireless Aiden Tolman. Country’s backrowers, Beau Scott, Josh Jackson and Adam Docker are all athletic hitmen whose shoulders will be itching to dent the midriffs of their opposites.
Head-to-Head
Since 1987, City has won 13 of the 24 matches, Country has won 10 with a draw in the mix too. Country are the current champions, having shut City down in the 2013 game to the tune of 12-0.
City looks to have the advantage in the forwards and so the Reynolds boys should have room to move which could be dangerous if Josh Reynolds can slip through a crack. You can bet he will try.
Country’s Newcastle halves combination is a definite advantage but if the forwards can’t match it with the larger City pack they might not be effective.
Prediction
City are favourites with the bookies but these games are unpredictable. I tend to favour Country who will draw upon the energy supplied by their ‘home’ crowd. Country to win by 4.
Looking forward to covering this game on The Roar, why not drop by and add your comments?
Darkone222
Guest
NSW vs NSW And they still can't win!!
Naught
I agree. Mead was great. Idris was clearly Gus Gould's favourite even before he actually did anything.
Brad. H
Guest
Right up to the hooter this was a good game BUT a draw = 80 minutes of wasted time in my book . Why are the Test , City /Country , State of Origin and the Premiership all played under different rules ? It makes the game look fragmented at worst and very poorly administered at the best . Back to the City/Country game , there were some great individual performances out there BUT Tony "T-Rex" Williams was not one of them , he was basically missing until 8 to go , his new name should be Tony "T-Break" :-)
Brian Pewa
Roar Rookie
Great game david mead,should be the man of match.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Bit like a Broadway show (or a soapy), I wonder who the choreographer was!..
Meesta Cool
Guest
Yet another indication that NSW rep teams don't know how to WIN!... Just a thought!.
Gus Paella
Guest
Why Idris on the bench?
xavialonso
Guest
It was a great game. What a way to end. The draw was deserving as both teams were evenly matched.
The High Shot
Roar Pro
Tariq Sims went off with an ankle complaint but it didn't seem too serious
turbodewd
Guest
I just hope noone got injured. Now, lets start talkin about Round 9 or picking the Blues squad. This silly game is over. I want Idris in the Blues, at least from the bench. And I hope Radradra qualifies as a Blue!!! :)
The High Shot
Roar Pro
A fitting scoreline for a rep fixture that pits two evenly matched sides together. Country seemed to think the clock would beat City for them but City's attack was inspired and they got the points to force a draw. Idris was given Man of the Match but I thought it could have gone to Mead, Mullen for Country and Moylan for City was great too. This was an entertaining game for sure. I hope the nay-sayers remember this fact when they start their annual whinge fest next year. Thanks for reading! COUNTRY - CITY 5 PENALTIES 6 4 SCRUMS 8 28/37 (76%) COMPLETIONS/SETS 31/40 (78%) 4 LINE BREAKS 4 266 TACKLES 235 7 MISSED TACKLES 16 8 OFFLOADS 23 12 ERRORS 10 Crowd: 10k ish
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FULL TIME It's a draw! COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 26
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CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 26
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80' TRY CITY Amazing try! City threw it around until Williams puts a stepping Hopoate in for a try COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 24
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80' City have made the break from the kick off and are on the attack! COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 20
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CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Reynolds swings that one in too far COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 20
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78' TRY CITY Tupou out wide puts it down just inside the corner posts. That was pretty skillful. COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 20
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77' City are running hard but they are a long way out. No disrespect but I don't know how Buhrer makes rep sides, not sure what he offers. COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 16
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CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Beautiful Adam Reynolds conversion from the right hand touch line. COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 16
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76' TRY CITY That was Warriors-like. After about 7000 passes Fifita who is loitering out wide strolls through the defense and plants it down out wide. COUNTRY – 26 CITY – 14