AAMI City Origin vs Country Origin

[Steelers]

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NSW City vs NSW Country

Thursday, 3rd of May 2007, 7.45pm at BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour

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Referee: Shayne Hayne

Sideline Officials: Matt Cecchin & Paul Holland

Video Referee: Phil Cooley


Team Notes:

NSW City
Reni Maitua was selected, but was later ruled out with a hip flexor injury. His withdrawal makes room for Cronulla Sharks back rower Reece Williams to join the squad after tonight?s game. Williams will be the 7th Sharks player to be included in the match.

Paul Gallen has aggravated his ankle and will not play for City, Mark Minichiello, who was 18th man, has taken his spot.

Matt Geyer has been named 18th Man for this match.

Last minute change- Mark Minichiello moves to the bench, Craig Wing is the starting lock.

NSW Country
Phil Graham was called into the side to replace an injured Timana Tahu

Luke Douglas sustained a wrist injury in Monday Night's NRL match and ruled out of the City v Country game, with Peter Cusack to replace him.

Alan Tongue named 18th Man for this matchTeams:


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NSW City
1. Anthony Minichiello (Roosters)
2. Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
3. Luke Lewis (Panthers)
4. Dean Collis (Wests Tigers)
5. Hazem El Masri (Bulldogs)
6. Braith Anasta (Roosters)
7. Craig Gower (Panthers) (c)
8. Jason King (Sea Eagles)
9. Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
10. Lance Thompson (Sharks)
11. Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
12. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
13. Craig Wing (Roosters)Interchange:
14. Mark Minichiello (Titans)
15. Reece Williams (Sharks)
16. Bryce Gibbs (Wests Tigers)
17. Ben Pomeroy (Sharks)

18. Matt Geyer (Storm)
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NSW Country
1. Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2. Josh Morris (Dragons)
3. Anthony Quinn (Storm)
4. Phil Graham (Raiders)
5. Amos Roberts (Roosters)
6. Kurt Gidley (Knights)
7. Brett Kimmorley (Sharks)
8. Brett White (Storm)
9. Danny Buderus (Knights) (c)
10. Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
11. Greg Bird (Sharks)
12. Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
13. Ben Creagh (Dragons)Interchange:
14. Preston Campbell (Titans)
15. Peter Cusack (Souths)
16. Ben Cross (Storm)
17. Clint Newton (Knights)

18. Alan Tongue (Raiders)


***Please use this thread for game day spoilers and general match information***

[Chaos]

A game full of second rowers...sounds boring but they are playing for positions and NSW can't pick all of them.

[Queenslander]

City's Wing keen to remind NSW selectors

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 - 5:42 PM

City utility Craig Wing admits he needs a big performance against Country in Coffs Harbour amid fears he's become the forgotten man in the eyes of NSW Origin selectors.

City team-mate Robbie Farah and Country pair Preston Campbell and Kurt Gidley pose the biggest threats to Wing claiming the Blues utility role for the Origin series-opener against Queensland in Brisbane on May 23.

Wing has implored the NSW selectors to give him a chance to impress in Origin I, saying he's done the job previously in 10 games for the Blues and in 16 Tests for Australia since 2002.

"I've done it for years now and I've got no hesitation in saying I'd be able to handle it again," Wing said on the eve of the match at BCU International Stadium.

"I just have to make people aware that I'm still capable."

Wing played two Origins last year off the bench but was one of several players axed for the decider, won by the Maroons in the dying stages.

"I watched the Tri Nations last year and the Test (against New Zealand) last month," the Sydney Roosters hooker told AAP before the last of just two training sessions for both teams.

"It really really makes you miss rep football and this is a bit of a taste of it.

"It's a short week but it's great to be here. I'm looking for a big game out of myself.

"Everyone will be watching this game.

"It's a good opportunity to stick my hand up and let people know I'm still here."

Wing, 27, admitted it was difficult proving a point to the NSW selectors with the Roosters having won just one out of six games this season to sit bottom of the NRL ladder.

"I suppose it's hard when you're playing for a team that's lower on the table and you don't get as much attention in those games," he added.

"We haven't had the best start to the season but personally I've been really happy with my form.

"I'm really enjoying my football and I'm injury-free. I'm just having fun on the field and it's showing in the way I play football."

Meanwhile, in-form fullback Gidley said he didn't believe his chances of making an Origin debut would be hurt despite him playing out of position at five-eighth for Country.

"I've been enjoying some ball-playing at fullback myself anyway so it's nothing new," he said.

"I think the versatility probably helps me. Whether I get a start (for NSW) or not, it helps being able to play a few positions."
Source: AAP

[Titanium_BD1103]

From:www.crlnsw.com.au

City and Country add 18th men

Both City and Country origin teams have added an 18th man to their squads, to cover for any possible injuries.

Country has opted for Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue. Tongue is one of the hardest working players in Rugby League, and was considered by many as unlucky to miss out on selection in the original squad.

A workhorse, Tongue topped the tackle count last year and is third on the Top tacklers list this season with only Cameron Smith and Dallas Johnson ahead of him.
City have taken a different approach and named veteran Melbourne Storm winger Matt Geyer as their extra man. Geyer has played a bit of five eighth and centre of late, giving City a versatile back to come into the squad if needed.

[Steelers]

From:www.crlnsw.com.au

City and Country add 18th men

Both City and Country origin teams have added an 18th man to their squads, to cover for any possible injuries.

Country has opted for Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue. Tongue is one of the hardest working players in Rugby League, and was considered by many as unlucky to miss out on selection in the original squad.

A workhorse, Tongue topped the tackle count last year and is third on the Top tacklers list this season with only Cameron Smith and Dallas Johnson ahead of him.
City have taken a different approach and named veteran Melbourne Storm winger Matt Geyer as their extra man. Geyer has played a bit of five eighth and centre of late, giving City a versatile back to come into the squad if needed.

Geez at least it seems the selectors have Alan Tounge somewhat in their sights, but FFS he deserves alot better than 18th man.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Geez at least it seems the selectors have Alan Tounge somewhat in their sights, but FFS he deserves alot better than 18th man.

I agree 100% Steelers, he is one of the best players this season and his workrate is tremendous... I reckon if he gets a shot he should go out there and show the selectors that he is Origin material... not just for Country, but for NSW too... :)

[Future Star]

I hope one of the country guys (non-Phil Graham of course), catches a day flu thing and cant play.

Though, Tongue should be the starting Lock.........

[Steel Dragon]

Starting lock? I think Creagh deserves his place, he has been light years ahead of the rest of his sorry teammates this year. But I wouldn't complain if Tongue got a run - got a lot of time for the guy. Reminds me of Richard Swain (only a bit bigger) - just keeps tackling all day, and rarely misses one.

In any case, I think Maitua will be NSW lock.

Jason

[Titanium_BD1103]

-----SPOILERS- HIGHLIGHT TO READ-----

City have scored through Robbie Farah

4-0 City

El Masri has converted 6-0 City over Country

[Titanium_BD1103]

***HALFTIME***

NSW City 6

Tries: Farah
Goals: El Masri 1/1

vs

NSW Country 0


Highlight to read review:

Been a good game so far, physical, tough and with limited opportunities. Country look more cohesive but City look more determined and able to attack when needed.

Laffranchi and Farah have both have stellar games for City, while the Country team halfback Brett Kimmorley was looking good before a nasty head lock saw him leave the field.

Should be a great second half, it's close ATM and it should be good.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Penalty Goal from El Masri after a late shot on Gower

City 8-Country 0

[Titanium_BD1103]

Try to Country and Anthony Quinn

Converted by Fitzgibbon

City 8- Country 6

[Titanium_BD1103]

Ryan Hoffman looks good, makes a great run and scores. Hazem swings one across the face of goal.

NSW City 12- NSW Country 6

[Titanium_BD1103]

City have been defending their heart out and they stop the Country team who had such a weight of possession... with Kurt Gidley losing the ball over the line in the dying seconds of the match... :)



***FULLTIME**- Highlight to read score

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NSW City 12

Tries: Farah, Hoffman
Goals: El Masri 2/3

vs

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NSW Country 6

Tries: Quinn
Goals: Fitzgibbon 1/1

[Social Loafer]

Gutted for Phil Graham..

[Steve]

I got a bit worried when Preston went down clutching his leg.
Country were probably unlucky not to score in the end, lack of direction and some great defence.

[Chaos]

What a waste of Rugby League time...this game was boring to watch, players were injured, NRL teams interupted weekend preperation and no palyer will be pick in the State of Origin because they played well.

[Social Loafer]

What a waste of Rugby League time...this game was boring to watch, players were injured, NRL teams interupted weekend preperation and no palyer will be pick in the State of Origin because they played well.

Exactly right, I couldn't even watch the entire 80 minutes, match was diabolical and a waste of time..

Funny how QLD get through fine without City-Country match. We may as well have A-M's vs N-Z's next year...

[Tamwelg]

I got a bit worried when Preston went down clutching his leg.
Country were probably unlucky not to score in the end, lack of direction and some great defence.

He is on nrl.com as having as being on the injury due to his knee, don't know who serious, probably just a cork. Laffranchi came away with a broken nose.

[Titanium_BD1103]

He is on nrl.com as having as being on the injury due to his knee, don't know who serious, probably just a cork. Laffranchi came away with a broken nose.

Yep it's serious sadly... and sadly has put another negative on City vs Country which it didn't need... the game is a great idea, but one that may need a rethink due to the lack of support in Coffs and the issues with a Thursday game and now injuries.

From: www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph



Bush warfare takes heavy toll
By Steve Mascord in Coffs Harbour
May 04, 2007 12:00


PRESTON Campbell suffered suspected cruciate knee ligament damage and Brett Kimmorley was knocked senseless in an injury-strewn City-Country battle at Coffs Harbour last night.

NSW selector Bob McCarthy strongly suggested the experience of Anthony Minichiello and Braith Anasta would win them selection for the opening Origin game while Country's Brett White and City's Ryan Hoffman could have played themselves into the Blues line-up as Tim Sheens' men won 12-6 at Coffs Harbour's BCU Stadium.

But even McCarthy's revelation that rugby union-bound Timana Tahu would be strongly considered and Craig Fitzgibbon's announcement that his representative career was likely over were overshadowed by a Country casualty list headed by halfback Kimmorley (concussion), replacement Campbell (knee), winger Josh Morris (hip flexor), second-rower Fitzgibbon (cheekbone) and fellow forward Anthony Laffranchi (nose). City's Jason King also suffered a rib injury.

Kimmorley, knocked out trying to tackle Ryan Hoffman in the 37th minute, hopes to play for Cronulla against the Warriors tomorrow, but Country sources late last night said Campbell had probably damaged the posterior cruciate in his left knee, meaning four to six weeks on the sidelines.

"I was crawling on the ground and someone's come along and whacked me on the back of the calf," Campbell said.

"We're not sure what's wrong with it. I felt something click in the back of my knee.

"I've got full movement and everything there . . . I'll see how it pulls up in the morning and take it from there. If it's still sore I'll definitely have to get a scan or something done."

Kimmorley said: "I've got no idea. I feel good now. With 10 minutes to go in the game, I started to feel a bit normal again.

"It's not like I played crap or made mistakes. I got hurt and wasn't able to play on.

"I've enjoyed the week. I didn't play a full game so it's disappointing in that way."

An emotional Fitzgibbon, meanwhile, said as he nursed a swollen face and ice all over his body: "It's not getting any easier. This is probably the last time I'll ever wear a representative jumper.

"You wouldn't say no to a NSW jersey but I think my time has passed. I am no chance. I've had a good crack at the rep footy stuff."

St George Illawarra's Morris played on in the second half after complaining of a sore hip at the break and is highly unlikely to play against Penrith tonight.

After seeing a 62nd-minute try by Melbourne's Hoffman and a lost ball over the tryline at fulltime by Country five-eighth Kurt Gidley decide the contest, McCarthy gave several clues as to the thinking of selectors heading into Origin I on May 23.

The most significant was that selectors are intent on treating Parramatta's injured centre Tahu like any other player despite his impending defection to rugby union.

"He's under contract to Parramatta this year, never mind next year," he said. "As far as we're concerned, he's available just like everyone else. We want the best players."

McCarthy said Country captain Danny Buderus was a "lay down" for the NSW hooking duties. He said he was impressed with White and Country back-rower Anthony Laffranchi and that Kimmorley had been "a shade in front" of Craig Gower until he was injured.

CITY ORIGIN 12 (R Farah, R Hoffman tries; El Masri 2 goals) COUNTRY ORIGIN 6 (A Quinn try; C Fitzgibbon goal) at BCU Stadium, Coffs Harbour. Referee: S Hayne. Crowd: 8149.

[Tamwelg]

Source: www.nrl.com.au


ARL to act on City-Country scheduling

Friday, May 4, 2007 - 5:45 PM

The ARL will seek a more equitable NRL draw ahead of next year's City-Country match in a bid to avoid a repeat of Thursday night's dour display in Coffs Harbour.

Moments of attacking flair were few and far between as both teams evidently struggled to gel after just two full days of preparation.

Both had suffered heavily with the late arrival of eight players from Monday's night's match between Newcastle and Cronulla.

Billed as a platform for players to push their Origin claims, the game provided few standout performers, players claiming the rushed preparation had left little time to forge combinations.

City five-eighth Braith Anasta, one of the better performers, said the scheduling had been hard on both sides.

"It's a very hard game to play in and I think it showed," Anasta said.

"A lot of it was one-out stuff and when you've only got a couple of days to prepare the combination just aren't there.

"I think you need at least one or two more days.

"By the time we had the Monday night Cronulla guys coming into camp we only had our first training session on Tuesday afternoon.

"I think it's an important game for selections, but in saying that, I think you need those extra couple of days for selections to put your best foot forward and play some better football."

Country coach Craig Bellamy agreed.

"In our situation, we had six guys that played on the Monday (night) and that was really tough so when we actually gathered on Monday we only had two thirds of our squad there.

"Hopefully they can look at when the game is played - in terms of being put back to a Friday night but also be a little but aware of the Monday night game and some players that might be playing in the City-Country."

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr conceded the scheduling had been an issue and said he would work with the NRL to ease the pressure on players and clubs from next year.

"We're looking at that now, obviously there are a variety of ways to do it, even if we don't change our TV arrangements," Carr said.

"You could put a game on that Monday night with someone like Warriors v North Queensland, which would allow the teams to be selected on Sunday and go into camp.

"It was unfortunate this time, and this was the first year we dealt with Monday night football, so there was always those unpredictable issue that come and up the fact that we had Cronulla and Newcastle on the Monday with so many players in the teams was obviously an issue.

"It's something we'll need to be mindful of in future."

The clash also left a hefty injury toll, the worst-off being Canberra's Phil Graham, who has a suspected torn medial ligament and could be out for up to six to eight weeks.

Gold Coast's Preston Campbell will also be sidelined for four to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury.

Brett Kimmorley suffered concussion during a tackle on Melbourne's Ryan Hoffman but could be a shock inclusion in the Sharks' match against the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday if declared fit after tests.

Anthony Laffranchi (broken nose), Craig Fitzgibbon (cheekbone), Josh Morris and Kurt Gidley (both hip) are also carrying injuries but are expected to back up for their teams this weekend.

Manly's Jason King is the only injury concern out of the City camp, with scans to determine the extent of a rib injury.

Source: AAP

[The Dave]

Is it possible to get a City or Country jersey online?