City V Country

[Cult]

See, we don't understand that as we haven't had a similar opportunity. Thanks for pointing that out, I'm sure many of us QLDers are equally proud of our country roots and would relish an opportunity to celebrate. It's just a shame that the organisers don't effectively promote the game based on the Country V City concept. So much missed opportunity.

I've created Queensland City vs Country teams on RLL2. There would be some pretty good games played that's for sure.

 

[Kimlo]

Not necessarily. Some players are clearly far better than others and tend to stand up for NSW, like Gallen, Farah and especially Bird.

Was about to say pretty much this. No matter how many losses in a row, guys like Farah, Gallen, Bird and Hayne are certainties. The rest of the spots are open but would you really have guys like Gallen and Farah trialing in these games if you were a NSW selector? No way, it's obvious what they offer by now and you'd just be risking an injury.

 

[Broncoman]

Fensom has been named 18th man in the Country side.

About time he got some kind of recognition

 

[Bucking Beads]

Amazing that Fensom isn't one of the first picked for NSW but he can't even make the country team Ffs.

 

[CaptainHook]

No matter how many losses in a row, guys like Farah, Gallen, Bird and Hayne are certainties.

Agree to disgaree. Imo, Gallen, despite his herculean efforts, has been easily handled by the Queenslanders in the last few years. As much as NSW talk about players in our side getting on in years, Gallen's best years are probably behind him as well. Bird as well. He's won a few MoM awards but that was years ago.

Can't argue with Farah and Hayne, though. They go up a gear and will be a threat.

 

[Harry Sack]

My dream is that Gallen will finish his career having never won an Origin.....or if they do, he's out injured or something.

 

[Broncoman]

Country have made 3 changes due to injury

Out - Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin and Tyson Frizell
In - David Mead, Robbie Rochow and Shaun Fensom

Tariq Sims now is starting in the front row for Country. I hope he has a blinder I would love to see Tariq play Origin this year.

 

[Alec]

I thought Mead was a QLDer?

But I guess it's just like NSW to force players who want to play for QLD play for NSW instead.

 

[Broncoman]

I thought Mead was a QLDer?

But I guess it's just like NSW to force players who want to play for QLD play for NSW instead.

It's nothing really in this case. Mead has Buckley's chance of making an Origin side from either state.

 

[Rhys van Beurden]

I thought Mead was a QLDer?

But I guess it's just like NSW to force players who want to play for QLD play for NSW instead.

HE is the Papua New Guinea international who just 11 days ago expressed his desire to play State of Origin for Queensland.
Today, David Mead is officially eligible for New South Wales after the Titans flyer rushed through paperwork clearing him to represent NSW Country this Sunday in Dubbo.
Just 48 hours ago, Mead wasn’t even on the Blues’ radar, with Country Rugby League officials unaware the Titans fullback played junior football in the far north-coast NSW town of Lismore.
But after being informed of Mead’s eligibility status by The Courier-Mail, the CRL scrambled to rubberstamp his availability when Country Origin fullback Josh Dugan succumbed to an ankle injury.


Mead represented the Kumuls at the recent World Cup and first signalled his desire to play for Queensland in 2011 after receiving advice from former Queensland and PNG representative Adrian Lam.
But now he finds himself playing for a NSW Origin jumper at Apex Oval.
Mead said the only reason he wanted to play for Queensland was because he grew up around Maroons supporters.
“Growing up in PNG a lot of my family are Queensland fans and that’s the how we went,” said Mead, who moved to Lismore when he was 12.
“My eligibility says I’m NSW and I’m just keen to get down there and concentrate on this game. That’s all settled now.
“I ticked all the boxes for NSW and that’s where it stands. It’s all pretty clear now.
“I’m definitely stoked to be able to put on a rep jersey. It’s a dream come true.”


The NRL cleared up the confusion surrounding Mead’s eligibility around 12pm on Tuesday, signing off on documentation allowing him to press his claims for a sky-blue jumper.
It’s understood Mead is privately worried about the backlash he will receive over his decision.
CRL chief executive Terry Quinn defended Mead’s selection, saying the code’s representative eligibility rules, revamped in late 2012, clearly qualify him for the Blues.
“Under the rules, three out of five ticks qualifies you for a state and David had four for NSW so there’s no question he’s a Blue,” Quinn said.
“We’ve done the relevant checks and he’s eligible for Country Origin, Dave has declared he wants to play for NSW.
“The NRL rushed through the paperwork (on Tuesday) and Dave was immediately on a plane.
“It’s a funny situation, I’m not totally up with it, but David decided he wants to play for Australia and NSW and we’ve received approval from the NRL authorities.
“With Dugan and Jarryd Hayne injured, there could be a NSW spot there for Mead ... we are running out of troops.”


As recently as last Saturday week, Mead told The Courier-Mail he was unsure of his eligibility, but was leaning towards the Maroons.
“I’m not sure what the rules say so we’ll see how we go,” Mead said.
“I think I’m eligible for NSW but growing up I always went for Queensland when I lived in Papua New Guinea, so I would like to choose Queensland.
“They (Queensland) think I’m from PNG because I’ve played for them but my manager will look into it because I haven’t been put into either system for Origin.”
NRL game-development chief Andrew Hill said players from all second-tier nations, such as PNG, had their eligibility status voided after each World Cup — clearing Mead for Origin selection.
“Immediately after the World Cup, the slate is wiped clean and everyone has a choice again. By picking Country Origin, David is now in the NSW and Australian system,” Hill said.
“There is no cloak-and-dagger stuff, I’ve done the appropriate checks.
“On his eligibility form, his country of election is Australia and based on the eligibility question, he undoubtedly qualifies for NSW.”

Not quite, it would seem. When I read the initial article, I found it bizarre that he was talking up his Queensland credibility when he was closer to NSW eligibility. As Broncoman stated though, he had no chance of making either team outside of A LOT of injuries, but as a Queenslander, I would not want him to play for us anyway as he clearly has no passion for QLD and just wants in on the series regardless of who he plays for. It is genuinely people like that that ruin the series for me. You can't backtrack a week after claiming you had your eyes on a Maroons jumper and suddenly desire to represent the Blues.

 

[Big Pete]

Did anybody else get around to watching the game?

Decided to watch through the replay since it was touted as the game of the weekend.

I can't say I agree.

The problem is, it's so obvious these players have played little to no football together. The set plays rarely happened and for the bulk of the game it was boring safety first football. At 26-10 and five minutes to play, the story of the afternoon really was that while City had the better of the field position, Country just had the strike power of Mead + Idris to convert opportunities. However, through a combination of patchy defence and desperation football, City were able to lock the scores up at the death for an exciting finish. While, it was an enjoyable moment in of itself, I don't know if it really did either team any favours, especially not Country since it appeared they switched off thinking they had the game sown up.

I still don't see why this game should exist past this season.

Origin selections shouldn't be based on this game because the conditions are completely different. Not only are you playing in-front of a paltry crowd in a remote part of Australia, but you're doing it with and against guys who have a limited idea of what their role is. Just to give you an idea, of the 34 players who played City v Country in 2013, only 12 backed up. At Origin level, you've got a pretty clear idea of the key elements of the NSW line up as well as the key elements of the Queensland line-up so this game doesn't simulate the action one iota.

Furthermore, as an exhibition, it's never been a memorable contest. The perception seems to be that it's this antiquated mickey mouse game that is performanced as a form of charity to Country Rugby League. While, Country Rugby League deserves all the support it can get, I don't know if this fixture is the best solution. Perhaps a Country round where three or so games are played out in these areas that deserve the attention, would be a go-er? Especially if that idea is spread right through out Australia.

I'm just spitballing here, back to the action itself and if this was a selection trial, I don't think this game did many players any favours. I think Fifita off the bench would be an obvious choice since he is such a loose cannon, Idris may have tapped into something and should enter the conversation for potential back selections. I saw some positive things in Hopoate, Tupou and Klemmer too but don't know if 2014 is necessarily their year.

On the other hand, I reckon Taufua was really exposed in this game. I haven't watched a lot of Manly this year, but it appears that Freddy intentionally played him on the right wing since that's a position NSW need to address. I thought Jorge performed terribly in that position and some of his runs coming out of trouble were stupid and really put his team mates under pressure. Defensively too, he was exposed by McCrone who found Gordon down the touchline for the second Country try. He improved in the second half, but only after Freddy switched him back to the left wing and even then he didn't blow the house down. I wouldn't be surprised to see Laurie snub him on this performance alone.

TL;DR - City v Country 2014 really wasn't much of a game until the final five minutes. It's a silly concept for a few reasons. I was impressed with Fifita + Idris and think they could play a role in Origin in 2014. I think Hopoate, Klemmer & Tupou can have a role down the line. I thought Taufua exposed himself poorly on the left wing.

 

[Alec]

Taufua is massively overrated IMO. Strong runner, great off the back of the brilliant Manly spine, but he has too many flaws and rough edges atm. I see him like I see Uate, only it currently better form.