Panthers v Broncos preview
4 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Blues hopefuls press for selection in Tamworth.
With spots on offer in Laurie Daley's NSW side, both Country and City players will be eager to put their best foot forward on Sunday as the Blues look to make amends for their Game Three humiliation last year. With newly appointed coach Craig Fitzgibbon taking over the reins from Trent Barrett, Country will be looking to continue their strong form in the annual fixture, having come away with four wins and a draw in the past six clashes. Of the side that prevailed 34-22 in Wagga last year, eight players have been retained, including Sharks duo James Maloney and Jack Bird in the halves. After a strong start to the season, the Canberra Raiders have been rewarded with four players named, including debutant prop Shannon Boyd, while Roosters veteran Mitchell Aubusson will celebrate his first representative jersey after a decade of service in the NRL.
While a host of players have been ruled unavailable through injury or personal reasons, City coach Brad Fittler will be out to galvanise his side with twelve players making their debuts on Sunday. Holding onto just four players from the side that took the field last year, the new look City team will be relying heavily upon club combinations to overcome the dominance of Country in recent fixtures. With five Penrith representatives headlined by NSW bolter Bryce Cartwright taking part, expect City to play with commitment and resilience on Sunday, a trait that Origin coach Laurie Daley will be looking for when selecting the side to tackle Queensland in the series opener on June 1.
Last meeting: Country v City 2015 - Country 34 City 22
Who to watch: Taking part in his third Country Origin on Sunday, playmaker James Maloney looms as a genuine contender for the hotly contested NSW halfback position. Having debuted for the Blues in the unsuccessful 2013 campaign, the Cronulla half has been in fine form after departing the Roosters over the off-season and has experience in two Grand Finals to boot. With a strong performance against City, the Sharks recruit may find himself in a different shade of blue as Laurie Daley looks to stop the Maroons domination.
Touted as one of the best young players in the NRL, Panthers forward Bryce Cartwright will have his first taste of representative football on Sunday afternoon. Having starred for Penrith throughout 2016 so far, the 21-year-old ball player shapes as a shock selection for the Blues, but one many commentators see as necessary to stopping Queensland from extending their winning run in the interstate series. Starting in the second row on Sunday, Cartwright will be aware of the pressure to perform, but with a strong performance he may find himself representing his state with fewer than 50 first grade games to his name.
The favourite: With more experience in key positions to call upon, the Country side is expected to retain the shield for the fourth straight year.
My tip: Expect the match to be played with plenty of passion, but the class of the Country side to prove too much in the end. Country by 12.
1. Jack Wighton 2. Kane Linnett 3. Euan Aitken 4. Jarrod Croker 5. Isaah Yeo 6. James Maloney 7. Jack Bird 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Rory Kostjasyn 10. Jack de Belin 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Boyd Cordner 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Jordan McLean 15. Paul Vaughan 16. Tariq Sims 17. Mitchell Aubusson
1. Clint Gutherson 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Aaron Gray 4. Ryan Matterson 5. Josh Mansour 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Chad Townsend 8. Regan Campbell-Gillard 9. Nathan Peats 10. Leilani Latu 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Nathan Brown
Interchange: 14. Darcy Lussick 15. Tyrone Peachey 16. Curtis Sironen 17. Kyle Lovett 18. Tom Symonds
Referees: Grant Atkins, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea