Next Sunday’s City-Country clash shapes as a genuine selection trial for the hotly disputed NSW five-eighth slot after Josh Reynolds and James Maloney were named in the respective sides.
Blues incumbent Canterbury star Reynolds, who has come under harsh criticism for his form from NSW great Andrew Johns, just holds the inside running for the Blues No.6 jersey for the opening State of Origin clash in Sydney on May 27.
But Sydney Roosters premiership-winning pivot Maloney is coming into form at the right time of the year, after a slow start to the NRL season.
With Blues coach Laurie Daley looking on 2013 NSW five-eighth Maloney and Reynolds will go head-to-head in Wagga Wagga.
“The thing is Laurie Daley has had a big input into both teams,” City and NSW assistant coach Brad Fittler said at the announcement of the sides at Rugby League Central on Sunday.
“So Josh will be playing for a reason, he has had plenty of energy of late, they (Canterbury) were not very successful on the weekend but hopefully this week he can put things in the right direction and have a good game.
“He has just come back from injury and I think the game time will really help him.”
Country coach Trent Barrett said Maloney had it all before him.
“I think James Maloney has a hell of a lot to play for,” Barrett said.
“It was two years ago he was the NSW five-eight alongside Mitchell (Pearce) and I have named him captain for a reason and this is a huge op for him.
“The two Roosters halves have been up and down a bit, but Jimmy’s last two weeks have been really good.
“We have to look at it as a real positive we have a lot of people to pick from in that NSW side.
“If we can get both of these guys to pay well and Brad’s halves to play well that will give Laurie a few options
Incumbent NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson has been rested from the match, as has Mitchell Pearce.
South Sydney’s City duo Luke Keary and Dylan Walker are both in doubt for the representative clash due to injuries suffered in the Rabbitohs’ loss to Canberra on Sunday.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said City No.7 Keary had some issues regarding bruising while centre Walker had a knee problem.
NSW City: Matt Moylan, James Roberts, Dylan Walker, Waqa Blake, Daniel Tupou, Josh Reynolds, Luke Keary, Andrew Fifita, Nathan Peats, David Klemmer, Curtis Sironen, Wade Graham (capt) Tyrone Peachey. Interchange: Blake Austin, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Kane Evans, Jason Clark. 18th Man Joseph Paulo.
NSW Country: David Mead, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Croker, Jack Wighton, James McManus, James Maloney (capt), Jarrod Mullen, Dale Finucane, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kade Snowden, Joel Thompson, Tyson Frizell. Josh Jackson. Interchange: Jack Bird, Paul Vaughan, Tariq Sims, Ryan James.
Gappy
Guest
J Morris has stopped GI for the past 3 years best defender we have in the outside backs Topou is way better than Johnston
Gappy
Guest
Who kicks the goals?????
3 Hats
Guest
A Johnston for Topou D Walker for J Morris In the GF last year D Walker played ALL OVER J Morris, left him looking second rate.
3 Hats
Guest
Muzz, why can't we have Pearce and J Reynolds? Seeing Adam Reynolds in no chance due to injury. Laurie Daley is wrong in his preference for both halves from the one club, Ridiculous! Sterling/Lewis, Alexander/Daley, Johns/Barrett, Mortimer/Thompson for example.
nayfo
Guest
Mail is that whoever shines between Maloney and Reynolds will get the nod for the blues. With Pearce and hodkinson waiting to partner up with their club team mate depending on who gets picked. That is why they have both been rested. Makes the city/country game massive This weekend
Doug Graves
Guest
Sorry Mitchell you won't be getting picked for game one!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
If more points = better team, then the Dragons were the 7th best team in 2010. Territory control and defence count for something, and Pearce can't do the former and Maloney can't do the latter.
MikeTV
Guest
Queensland would love NSW to pick the same team that got hammered in Game 3 of last year - especially when they know that Jarryd Hayne cannot be selected. NSW need to ignore the Qld comments about disloyalty and select the in form halves - Pearce and Maloney. In 2014, Reynolds and Hodkinson played a very minor role in the series win, despite what we might like to think of Hodkison's try in Game 2 as justification for the sacking of M Pearce. Some of the losing NSW sides have performed far better than the 2014 Blues. Just look at the total number of points scored by NSW in recent series: * 2014 - 26 (Hodkison and Reynolds) * 2013 - 30 (Pearce and Maloney) * 2012 - 46 (Pearce and Carney) * 2011 - 54 (Pearce and Soward) * 2010 - 48 (Pearce/Kimmorley and Lyon/Barrret) * 2009 - 60 (Wallace/Kimmorley and Barret/Campese)
Gappy
Guest
Sorry mate but Keary is a Welshman just like GI is a Qlder. Rulers are ruler so Keary falls under NSW. I'm happy to make it where you were born, cause then NSW get GI as Full back What a back it would be 1. GI 2. Topou 3. Jennings 4. Morris 5. Morris That could be the Australian back line
Renegade
Roar Guru
I don't know if his form warrants selection anyway. Pearce hasn't been picked either so maybe he will get the nod.... it's a shame Adam Reynolds got injured because he had the position on lock.
Casper
Guest
Go with the NSW 17 that played game 3, that's fair!!! I assumed that if they pick you for rep footy and you don't play, you need a medical clearance or you don't play club footy but it's not like there is a club round on the weekend after the test on Friday night. Watch the high profile guys pull out of the pacific island test teams over the next few days, clubs will never do anything that's not in their own best interests. Already have a few announcing (McGuire & Segeyaro) they're not available because of origin dreams, why not let them play without affecting origin eligibility. Glad Keary pulled the plug on City, he's still a Qlder until he pulls on a blues or city jersey. Qld has to take this further, does NSW really want a guy who is maybe number 5 in the pecking order who doesn't want to play for them? Can you see him climbing out of a sick bed to play for NSW, his teammates would probably hope he'd fall off a horse at the bonding camp and what if he played and gave Qld a winning penalty or error, wouldn't there be an outcry?
MJB
Guest
It really is pick your poison these days with the Blues halves.
MikeTV
Guest
Most fans can't get their head around whether City-Country is supposed to be a trial for State of Origin or a match for the second-tier representative players. It probably does serve a dual purpose, but the fans can never be sure what they are watching. After winning the series last year, NSW had no reason to change the sides. But that all changed after getting hammered in Game 3.
Klee Gluckman
Guest
No Will Hopoate?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Hodkinson is not picked for this fixture because the coaching staff know full well he has chronic knee problems that don't need risking on some Mickey mouse fixture.
spruce moose
Guest
I was under the impression that everyone had to play or else they would be banned for a week in club football? No Pearce and no Hodgkinson? Weird.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
I am licking my chops at the halves dilemma for NSW this year. Going on form I am already predicting a high scoring affair. Something last years games lacked.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
So... does this mean Hodkinson is definitely the NSW halfback? Or definitely not the NSW halfback?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Either of those two defending against Sam Thaiday ought to scare the heck out of any NSW die hard.
Muzz
Guest
Hodkinson and J Reynolds will play game 1.