City vs Country Thread

[Titanium_BD1103]

I can't believe it... I looked in the Sunday Telegraph today and the City vs Country game is Next FRIDAY... :D :D... I thought it was a few weeks away still.

This will be a clash to remember and I am really looking forward to it... as I do all games... I can't wait to see the City boys run out there and show the country boys what City can do... :)

I am sure there are some Country boys though here who are looking forward to seeing the City boys get turfed... and I am looking forward to seeing Craig Bellamy as a coach up against the premiers coach Tim Sheens... :D :D

So yes this is the THREAD for everything to do with City and Country Origin... from your pledge of allegience, and when the teams get posted.. you can put them in here and discuss.. :)

For those who are interested and wondering....

City vs Country Origin- Friday 12th May 2006
Apex Oval- Dubbo, NSW
Kickoff: 7:30pm

So lets get ready for City vs Country... and I look forward to an awesome game come Friday night.. :D :D

[Steelers]

Well my dad is a Lithgow boy... so I guess I have been bred to be a Country supporter... even though I am a QLDer :p

[Dakink]

Country all the way!!!

Was in the city right next to me last year and was awesome!

[Teegy]

Country boy here.

[Kallan]

Even though i am a Queenslander, when City vs Country is on I go for country.

[Teegy]

My Country team would be

1 Ben Hornby (Dragons)
2 Amos Roberts (Roosters)
3 Matt Gidley (Knights)
4 Matt Geyer (Storm)
5 Darren Albert (Sharks)
6 Preston Campbell (Panthers)
7 Matt Orford (Manly) (if possible) if not Brett Kimmorley (Sharks)
13 Dean Young (Dragons)
12 Ben Creagh (Dragons)
11 Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
10 Jason Ryles (Dragons)
9 Luke Priddis (Panthers)
8 Luke Bailey (Dragons)

Subs:
14 Craig Wing (Roosters)
15 Glenn Morrison (Eels)
16 Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
17

This is hard trying to find who is Country.

[Social Loafer]

I'll can help ya out with a few spots :)- Go the Country Boys :D

1 Ben Hornby (Dragons)
2 Amos Roberts (Roosters)
3 Matt Gidley????
4 David Howell :laugh:
5 Is Grothe a city lad?? Is Darren ALbert a Country boy??
6 Preston Campbell (Panthers)
7 Matt Orford (Manly) (if possible) if not Brett Kimmorley (Sharks)
13 Glenn Morrison (Eels)
12 Ben Creagh (Dragons)
11 Dean Young (Dragons)- Alan Tongue is Priddis is injured, young to hooker
10 Jason Ryles (Dragons)
9 Luke Priddis (Panthers)
8 Luke Bailey (Dragons)

Subs:
14 Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
15 Alan Tongue (Raiders)- Must be in the side, making 40+ tackles and been our best
16 Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
17 Troy Thompson (Raiders)- Slight bias here :D but he has been a real workhorse.

Country seem to be a bit short in the outside backs :(

[Teegy]

ive been going thue past teams so i might not be the best team available

[Social Loafer]

If Priddis is out, that will really leave the hooker spot wide open, assuming Young is picked and starts in the 2nd row, you could even have Simon Woolford in there, he has been gunning it since returning from suspension. :)

Yes I know heavy bias here :laugh:

[Steelers]

I have noooo idea on eligibility of players for either side so I can't exactly name a team :p Lance Thompson is a city lad though isn't he? I think he would be in for sure!

[Social Loafer]

I think it comes down to which junior club they played for..

All I know is that if you played your junior footy in Canberra, you are elligible for the country side, basically City is just everywhere in Syndey :)

[Teegy]

blow to country

Newcastle centre Matthew Gidley has announced his retirement from representative rugby league. The former Australian back, who played 11 Tests and 11 State of Origin games for NSW, says he wants to devote more time to his playing commitments with NRL club the Knights, and his family.

His retirement means Gidley will not be considered for next week's City-Country Origin match in Dubbo.

[Social Loafer]

Should be very interesting to see the COuntry side now..

I'm just hoping 1 Canberra player will make it.

[Titanium_BD1103]

They should.. they deserve too.. :)

Orford will play for City, NSWRL has stated numerous times he will not be allowed to switch... and Thompson is a city boy.. and a proud one at that too... :D :D

[Teegy]

Who is Dykes available for then?

[Social Loafer]

Country
Hornby
Roberts
Hicks
A.Macdougal
Quinn
Gidley
Finch :nope: :nope:
Fitzgibbon
Ryan(c)
Creagh
Sergent
Priddis
Kite

Bench
Campbell
Widders
Newton
B.White

What a Farce

How Finch made it I will never know..

Also Tongue not selected, what a joke....

[Steelers]

Finch has had 2 good games... before that he was a joke for a few seasons

[DeeGan]

Disappointing not to see Alan Tounge there admittedly, I didn't have him in my side, though on form, he had to be picked.

I don't like the CRL side at all and I think it is a joke that Orford was not allowed to play for the CRL given he qualifies for the side. I read that Carr said something like 'we don't want to make a mockery of the competition' in re: to switching Orford back to CRL - GUESS WHAT GEOFF, too late, you did that when allowing Orford to switch allegiances on the request of the NSWRL.

Hicks in the centres? Hmm...Brett Finch? I guess they ran out of options.

City to win this contest.

[Teegy]

That Country Team is shocking. im guessing Dean young must be City

[Go_The_Doggies]

Country all the way :music:

[Luke]

CITY

1 Brett Hodgson (Wests Tigers)
2 Hazem El Masri (The Bulldogs)
3 Luke Lewis (Penrith Panthers)
4 Matt Geyer (Melbourne Storm)
5 Eric Grothe (Parramatta Eels)
6 Craig Gower, captain (Penrith Panthers)
7 Matt Orford (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
8 Jason King (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
9 Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
10 Joel Clinton (Penrith Panthers)
11 Trent Waterhouse (Penrith Panthers)
12 Lance Thompson (Cronulla-Southerland Sharks)
13 Braith Anasta (Sydney Roosters)

Subs:
14 Craig Wing (Sydney Roosters)
15 John Skandalis (Wests Tigers)
16 Paul Gallen (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
17 Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne Storm)

[DeeGan]

6 Craig Gower, captain (Penrith Panthers)
7 Matt Orford (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)

There is the NSW halves pairing.

Not a bad side, don't thing the selection of Geyer in the centres is the right move.

Paul Gallen is a good selection, very much underrated.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Yeah It'll be good to see how well Gower and Orford gel together. A sneek preview of NSW origin halves perhaps.

I like Anasta at Lock, thank god he's there.

[Dakink]

City by three thousand unfortunately :-(

[Steelers]

OMFG How did Dean Young miss out on selection? That Country team is the biggest joke I think I have ever seen (barring the 2005 Tri-Nations squad)

[Titanium_BD1103]

Sadly Steelers... I have to agree... Country look ordinary this year.. :(

YAY FOR CITY... what a side.. and yay for choosing Orford at Half... GO CITY... I can't wait for Friday... :D :D

[Dakink]

OMFG How did Dean Young miss out on selection? That Country team is the biggest joke I think I have ever seen (barring the 2005 Tri-Nations squad)


Let me check but doesnt Young have 1 week left (using my magic memory here)?

[Super Cronk]

leagueunlimited

Changes to City VS Country

Penrith winger Luke Rooney has been called into the NSW City rugby league team to play NSW Country on Friday night after Eric Grothe was ruled out.

Grothe's Parramatta club advised the City selectors he would not be fit to play the match in Dubbo. City also had concerns on the other wing with Bulldogs goalkicking ace Hazem El Masri in serious doubt and sent away from today's team medicals for scans on an injured hamstring.

Cronulla's David Simmons is on standby for El Masri. Earlier Newcastle backrower Clint Newton was sent for scans on a possible fractured eye socket that could rule him out of the Country team. Newton, named on Country's interchange bench, was injured in yesterday's 32-30 NRL win over Brisbane in Newcastle.

X-rays last night cleared him of any major structural damage around the eye but Country's medical officials wanted the injury further assessed before clearing him to play. The rest of the Country team was given the all-clear, with Penrith hooker Luke Priddis overcoming the corked thigh he suffered in Saturday night's loss to North Queensland.

[DeeGan]

Unfortunate for Grothe, I think he is on the cusp of further representative honors too.

Rooney will do a good job, I wonder if this will be the catalyst for a career turn around for the former NSW and Australian winger.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Urrgh... lets hope nothing is wrong with Hazem... we can't lose him at the Bulldogs... :(

I am sure Rooney will do a fine job for City... and I am looking forward to seeing how the 3 Penrith Boys, in Rooney, Lewis and Gower, work with Orford to create some very potent attack... :D :D

[Dakink]

Another change, but geez Sims was horibble on the wekend..

Newton out, Sims in country
May 8, 2006

NEWCASTLE back rower Clint Newton has been ruled out of the New South Wales Country Origin side to play NSW City in Dubbo on Friday night, due to a fractured eye socket.

Newton, named on Country's interchange bench, was injured in the Knights'32-30 NRL win over Brisbane in Newcastle yesterday.

St George-Illawarra forward Ashton Sims has been called into the Country Origin side as Newton's replacement.

It is the only change to the Country team named last night after the rest of the side passed this morning's medical tests.

AAP

[Go_The_Doggies]

TJ nothing shall happen to Haz *crosses fingers* :win:

[Teegy]

How does sims get in and not poore or Young. sims has been shocking the last 3weeks

[DeeGan]

Dean Young if he was available, is entitled to be disappointed. Adam Poore is a prop with a huge future and I would of loved to see him at rep level. A chance gone begging.

[Teegy]

Do you mean Justin poore Deegs

[Go_The_Doggies]

ffs am i a ****ing jinx or what :upset:

[DeeGan]

Do you mean Justin poore Deegs

Correct ;)

Doing too many things at once.

Cheers

[[BroncosGirl]]

As a Qlder, what this game simply means to me, is getting to see NSW players bash into each other :p Although I will enjoying getting to see the form of the players in contention for NSW spots.

The Manly boys will be tired as for Sat Night against the Broncos :)

[Luke]

Ashton Sims is out and Gold Coast bound Anthony Laffranch will take his spot.

[Teegy]

Ashton Sims is out and Gold Coast bound Anthony Laffranch will take his spot.
Source. i havent heard that

[Teegy]

just found on the dragons site that Sims has broken his hand

[Luke]

Source. i havent heard that

10 news ill try find an article.

[Luke]

Sims ruled out for Country team
Monday, May 8, 2006 - 4:38 PM



Just hours after his first representative call-up, NSW Country Origin forward Ashton Sims was ruled out of the side to play City in Dubbo on Friday with a wrist injury.

Sims had been called into the side to replace injured Newcastle backrower Clint Newton on the interchange bench but the Country team doctor ruled him unfit.

Wests Tigers' Anthony Laffranchi will now join the squad as Sims' replacement.

Both sides were forced into changes after several stars failed medical tests.

Penrith winger Luke Rooney was called into the City team to replace Parramatta's Eric Grothe who was ruled out with a back injury.

Eels doctors had told Grothe on Sunday night he was unfit to play but the winger created a controversy when he failed to turn up on time to the Sydney Cricket Ground medical.

The winger eventually showed up more than an hour late and predictably failed his fitness test, but the NSWRL has asked the club and Grothe to explain his tardiness.

Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri was ruled out after scans revealed a hamstring tear, his place taken by Sharks flyer David Simmons.

AAP

Source: www.nrl.com

[DeeGan]

This has also been confirmed on FOXSPORTS interactive.

[Steelers]

Country is going to lose this by alot unfortunately

[Slaytera]

I need some help. I was born in liverpool lived in campbelltown for 13 yrs but now live at terranora. Who do I go for? City or Country

[Dakink]

I need some help. I was born in liverpool lived in campbelltown for 13 yrs but now live at terranora. Who do I go for? City or Country


COUNTRY

[Slaytera]

Alrighty!

[Titanium_BD1103]

I need some help. I was born in liverpool lived in campbelltown for 13 yrs but now live at terranora. Who do I go for? City or Country

Slaytera.. the answer is which ever you feel more attached to... if you feel more a country boy.. GO FOR COUNTRY... if you still yearn for the City... THE GO CITY.. :D :D

[Townsville Titan]

Im disappointed in the country's efforts to pose a good side!! This is an excellent experiment to see how certain players play along side one another and its not going to be a true measure if City abolishes the Country team. It needs to be a bit even so come origin time the selectors will have a better idea of who is fit for the team and who isnt. Im a City boy myself but more of a NSW fan though... (even though they're pretty much the same thing) and the selectors need to look at the big picture. Hindmarsh, Tahu, King, Gasnier, Cooper... ya know? They should be experimented with also... almost gauranteed spots those players are...

[Dakink]

Slaytera.. the answer is which ever you feel more attached to... if you feel more a country boy.. GO FOR COUNTRY... if you still yearn for the City... THE GO CITY.. :D :D

LOL Nah bugger that!!

Think about City - for about two seconds - then;;

go;;


COUNTRY

[Townsville Titan]

Im originally a Country boy, living in Tamworth for 19yrs and all... but just goin for City cos it has more Panthers players in it.

CITY

[The Original Idiot]

NEITHER

[[BroncosGirl]]

NEITHER

Hahaha, I tend to agree :p

[The Original Idiot]

']Hahaha, I tend to agree :p
Yeah, I'm just looking for a good game of league.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Yeah, I'm just looking for a good game of league.

To be honest, this game doesn't usually interest me :p But I guess its good to check the s.o.o contenders, and who the qlders will be thrashing this year :p

[The Original Idiot]

']and who the qlders will be thrashing this year :p
Yep, cos the QLD'ers have been thrashing them good for the last couple of years.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Yep, cos the QLD'ers have been thrashing them good for the last couple of years.

I said this year :p

[Dakink]

I know it doesnt have the appeal for QLd'ers but a lot of NSw folk - and Ill probably admit - more in the country (Dont know enough city folk to say here) relly care about this game, I know I do.

As for growing up in Tamworth and supporting City cause it has more Panthers,,

Geezuz!!! Give yourself an uppercut!!! ;-)

[Titanium_BD1103]

LMAO... Dakink has true Country Spirit there... :D :D :D

Depends where you come from there Dakink... The diehard NRL followers in Sydney are the ones who love City vs Country, and all the older followers... it is gaining a revival though... but more in the suburbs than in the actual city... :)

[Townsville Titan]

Yep, cos the QLD'ers have been thrashing them good for the last couple of years.


Actually.... if you take a good look... NSW have won for the last couple of years or so... :yell: :yell:

[Titanium_BD1103]

Townsville Titan.. The Original Idiot was being sarcastic... ;)

But this thread is about City vs Country... so I'll get back on topic.. :)

My friend at Ticketek says that tickets to this game are selling nicely.. Hopefully a full house at Apex Oval on Friday... that would be something special.. :D :D

[Go_The_Doggies]

I dont think i'll be watchin it as the reds play the highlanders in townsville on the other channel..my mum rules the tv!!

[Townsville Titan]

I dont think i'll be watchin it as the reds play the highlanders in townsville on the other channel..my mum rules the tv!!

Are you SERIOUS??? In Townsville???? Sheez, Might have to go...

[Go_The_Doggies]

Are you SERIOUS??? In Townsville???? Sheez, Might have to go...
You should go imo :purdy:

[Townsville Titan]

Yeah... seriously thinkin bout it ay... bit of a Union fan myself, however... being the NSW fan i am, i go for the Waratahs... but hey, still a good game on ere...

[Go_The_Doggies]

Yeah... seriously thinkin bout it ay... bit of a Union fan myself, however... being the NSW fan i am, i go for the Waratahs... but hey, still a good game on ere...
You can see justin marshall jr..Jimmy Cowan :p:p

[Slaytera]

I'll go....COUNTRY

[Townsville Titan]

CITY! CITY! CITY!
OI! OI! OI!

[The Original Idiot]

COME ON THE TOUCH JUDGES!

[Teegy]

from SMH.com


Players and coaches spend all week denying it, but City-Country clashes are rarely about the game. And Friday night in Dubbo is no different, with all eyes on the game within the game.

While there's no doubt both sides will want to win, the 34 players that take to Apex Oval will also have NSW jumpers in their thoughts, with Blues selectors sitting down on Sunday night to pick their squad for the State of Origin opener.

Most focus will be on the halves, with City Origin's Matt Orford, Craig Gower and Braith Anasta and Country Origin's Kurt Gidley and Brett Finch all fighting it out for Blues five-eighth and halfback berths, left vacant following the representative retirement of Trent Barrett and Andrew Johns.

City Origin coach Tim Sheens has warned his troops to stay focused on the game, because to the victor generally go the spoils.

"We've talked about just staying in the moment and just playing the game set by set and not worrying about personal things against other players or trying to outplay the other guy from the point of view of trying to make a NSW jumper," Sheens said.

"Sometimes you can try too hard, and if you over-try it can lead to poor decisions. It's a matter of concentrating on playing with their own teammates."

For Gower it's also about adopting to a new position, bumped out to five-eighth to accommodate Orford at halfback. But it's still the Blues No.7 jumper that he craves, even more so now, as it won't just be as a stop-gap measure while Johns is out injured.

"There is that, but you also just want to win the game," Gower said.

"Obviously it is an incentive, but if you start thinking too far ahead you don't play well. It's just about playing well tomorrow night."

Country Origin coach Craig Bellamy says he will not mention the possibility of NSW berths in his pre-game speech.

"We're playing for Country," he said.

"They know that if we play well as a team, that will give them the best chance to win a NSW jumper."

There are no guarantees though that a strong performance on Friday night will lead to NSW selection.

Blues coach Graham Murray has already stated that there are only five or six spots up for grabs, and that club form would play a large role in selection.

"You don't know what Graham Murray's thinking," Sheens said.

"He could quite easily pick a centre to play wing or a wing to play fullback, you don't know, although I think it takes a bit more on this year than in the past because of the amount of spots available.

"I'm sure Graham Murray's got a fair idea of what he wants to do, this game will only have some bearing on that."

One player primed for a big game is City prop Joel Clinton, who vowed earlier this week that he would bash his way to a sky blue jumper.

Bellamy refused to buy into the pre-game banter, but said his players will be ready for the Penrith big man.

"Joel's sort of put himself out there now, and he's got to back it up," Bellamy said.

"If he can, good luck to him."

Both sides came through a final training run at Apex Oval unscathed, with City Origin's 18th man Anthony Watmough to miss out on a game.

[Teegy]

from SMH

Inspired by the representative deeds of fellow little man Matt Bowen, Country Origin utility Preston Campbell believes he too could make an impact at State of Origin level given half a chance.

The diminutive Campbell, one of the smallest players in the NRL at just 165cm and 75kg, finally cracked it for a Country Origin berth last season after years of being overlooked by representative selectors.

Back in the maroon and gold for Friday night's clash against City Origin at Apex Oval in Dubbo, Campbell now wants to go a step further and break into the NSW side as the sparkplug off the bench.

And he believes Bowen's spectacular performances for Queensland over the last few interstate series have proved there is a place for the little man in the Origin arena.

"I definitely could have an impact if I had the chance," Campbell said during a school clinic at St Johns College in Dubbo.

"I look at blokes in the Queensland side, the Matty Bowens, the Scott Princes ... they're not the biggest blokes, but they've got really big hearts and I think that's what it all comes down to.

"They're probably just a little bit bigger than me, but still they're small blokes and I really admire them.

"I thought it would be really hard last year when I first played rep football, but I got in there and played my own game.

"You find your way around it, keeping away from the heavy contact or getting rag-dolled by the big guys.

"This is my tenth year now, I've sort of found ways of getting around that sort of thing."

While he may be a fair way down the pecking order when it comes to a berth on the Blues' bench, behind Penrith teammate Craig Gower and Sydney Roosters utility Craig Wing, Campbell comes to Dubbo without the burden of expectation that others have on their shoulders.

He has no idea how Country Origin coach Craig Bellamy plans to use him, but is willing to do whatever is required to reverse last year's result in Lismore, where City Origin ran out 29-22 winners.

"He's going to throw me in (at hooker) for a little while and we'll see what happens after that," Campbell said.

"We've got (Luke Priddis) at hooker and he could play 80 minutes easily so we'll just have to wait and see.

"I'm just happy to be here, if I play in the halves at hooker, fullback or the wing, it doesn't matter."

[Titanium_BD1103]

1 hour till kick-off so I just want to say...

GOOD LUCK TO ALL PLAYING and Enjoy the match Dubbo... great town and great to see football going out that way... :)

OH AND FINALLY:

GO CITYGO CITY GO CITY GO... :win: :win: :win:

[Titanium_BD1103]

HALF TIME Spoiler... Country 8- City 0

* City and Country both a little bit lacking... good game though and both have shown their hand.. Country with most possesion though

* Finch, Anasta- Stars for the 5/8th- No 7. Role
* Ryan the overall star
* Adam MacDougall having a whale of a game.. chance to perhaps be No1. in Origin

Looking forward to the second half.. :D :D

[Titanium_BD1103]

FULLTIME SPOILER- Country 12- City 10

*Bolters for Origin- Paul Gallen, Andrew Ryan, Anthony LaFranchi

*Halfback Battle- Still up for grabs, Orford and Finch both inconsistent, Gower unable to play his natural game at No.6

*5/8th Battle- Still up for grabs, Kurt Gidley workman like and staking his claims

A great tough game... and City vs Country is ALIVE AND WELL.. :D :D

[Steelers]

WHAT A TRY by Quinn out wide... putting it down centimetres away from the corner post... and what a pass from Hormby to set it up!

[Teegy]

something i was thinking last night. none of the halves shined but what about Hodgson for Fullback and Honby to 5/8 or halfback

[Dakink]

A game I really enjoyed. Despite Sheens' whinging, I thought Archer had a terrific game at ref!! He let the game flow and didnt blow the fiddly little penalties that Smith and Clark have been.

I agree with BDT311, Gallen is an absolute Bolter and would not look out of place in a blue jersey!!!

I also thought Kite and Thompson did their chances no harm at all. Orford playes his way out of the blue jersey, with Finch outplaying him. Finch's biggest problem is that he cant kick to save himself, I havent seen a poorer kicking game for a 7 for awhile.

I also think Hornby may have played his way into the 1, unless they want Hodgson's kicking ability. Both started nervously, though I thought Hornby in defence was fantastic. Covered a lot of ground and as usuall his positional play was faultless. Hodgson again got carried over the sideline, and it was noticeable (to me) after that that every time he got the ball near the sideline he surrendered before he needed to. Both would do a good job though.

The Blues biggest problems are going to come from their halves, with I believe Gower will be 7 and Anasta at 6. Orford fizzled under pressure, and Finch cant kick.

[DeeGan]

Well I said on MSN to cronk that Orford was up for a big game tonight - I got that wrong. He was ordinary and as Dakink said, might have played himself out of the blues halfback spot. Time will tell, though he failed to take control of the contest and they has to concern the selectors.

I watched the game and woke up with a massive hangover this morning - details are sketchy at this point :laugh:

[Go_The_Doggies]

I never got to watch it.

How did Andrew Ryan go?

[Kallan]

I never got to watch it.

How did Andrew Ryan go?

Andrew Ryan played well, ecspecially in the first half.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Andrew Ryan played well, ecspecially in the first half.
Thats good :thumbsup:

[Steelers]

Andrew Ryan probably secured himself a Blues jumper.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Andrew Ryan probably secured himself a Blues jumper.
If he gets picked for nsw that will boost his confidence even more:)

He was really excited on the footy show about being back home, and captaining country!!

GOO BOBCAT!! :afro:

[Titanium_BD1103]

I think that after that game.. we can expect Andrew Ryan to lift.. he really looked pumped and had a great time.. :)

What about after the game when he ran down the guard of players with the shield like he had won a logie... :laugh: :laugh:... abosolutely hillarious.. :D

[Go_The_Doggies]

I think that after that game.. we can expect Andrew Ryan to lift.. he really looked pumped and had a great time.. :)

What about after the game when he ran down the guard of players with the shield like he had won a logie... :laugh: :laugh:... abosolutely hillarious.. :D
I never got to see it..:(

[Blunt_Beno]

Preston campbell played very well considering he got about 30 mins of game time and they stuck him in hooker. They obviously dont want him playin origin. if ya ask me he should be there number 6 this yr alongside gower. makes sense if ya think about it.