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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2585938, member: 1899"] 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. [/QUOTE]

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