A rough night in the making for New Zealand Rugby League.
Granted, their forward pack deserves respect but when it comes time to put
points and the board, cohesion will let them down. Coach Stephen Kearney has
drafted Panthers back up Isaac John to partner Shaun Johnson in the halves. However, what’s more concerning than the
beginning of a Johnson and John era is the rest of their spine. Congratulations
to debutants Peter Hiku and Ben Henry but they will do it tough.
The Australians, by contrast, will showcase their famous
Queensland spine and no player shines brighter in this group than Jonathan
Thurston. JT, with good service from his 9, should carve up the Kiwis and the
Kangaroos should win well. The biggest challenges for the home side will be filling
up the stadium and deciding on their victory song. If any cane-toad tries to
sing the Queensland Origin song again, expect Paul Gallen to unleash his famous
right hand.
My tip: Australia 32-12
Country Origin v City Origin
Caltex Stadium in Dubbo comes alive on Sunday afternoon
for the annual City v Country clash and this year’s version is punctuated by
future origin hopefuls. More so than previous years, selectors have chosen the
best of a young crop of outstanding talent. Whilst they’ve still rewarded the
likes of Beau Scott and Josh McCrone to keep the culture from dying, all other
representatives look likely. The wonderful folk of the New South Wales Orana
Region will brave the crisp and chilly conditions and be treated to a beauty.
And most of this beauty will come from City. The Country
side is dominated by footballers who win with defence, with the grind. A
forward pack boasting the likes of Aidan Tolman and Adam Docker will be hoping
to slow down the ruck, waiting for the visitors to err. They won’t. Brad
Fittler’s team has many attacking weapons but none more exciting than their
back three. Matt Moylan, Jorge Taufua and Daniel Tupou are all in brilliant
form and if the Reynolds boys can steer City’s attack in this direction, they
will prove too hard for Country to stop.
My tip: City 24-14
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