The NSW Origin selectors will have some tough decisions to make for the first game next month, after the VB Country Origin side won the annual City vs Country clash 18-12 in Coffs Harbour.
The closely contested match showed dominant displays from Akuila Uate and James Maloney for Country, and Adam Reynolds and Ryan Hoffman for the City side equally commanding.
The Country team dominated the first half, opening the scoring in the 14th minute with Josh McCrone hitting the try line after a lightning Maloney pass, skipping around the City defence to score.
Not long after Akuila Uate scored an incredible try in the corner, crashing over two City defenders to somehow ground the ball and take the four points - six with Maloney adding the extras.
The City side looked largely lost in the opening half, with a couple of wayward kicks from Curtis Sironen and some lapses in defence.
But it was a very different-looking City side that took the field in the second half - with two tries in in the opening 8 minutes.
The first by way of Andrew Fifita, who picked up an offload from Wade Graham and cruised over the try line.
The second showed why Adam Reynolds is in contention with Mitchell Pearce for the NSW halfback spot - he scored after kicking and regathering his own grubber and hit the green right under the posts.
The scores were level for the next 20 minutes, with the Country side looking out of sorts; until Akuila Uate produced a basketball-like one-handed pass to James McManus who crossed for the deciding four-pointer.
Adam Reynolds' kicking game was particularly impressive, making two 40/20s as well as scoring his own try.
Man of the match Ryan Hoffman was also in good form, playing for almost the entire 80 minutes and showing strength in defence and attack, earning himself the Man of the Match award.
James Tedesco is the only player under an injury cloud, leaving the field clutching his hip with ten minutes remaining.
Country Origin 18
Josh McCrone, Akuila Uate, James McManus tries; James Maloney 3 goals.
City Origin 12
Andrew Fifita, Adam Reynolds tries, Adam Reynolds 2 goals.
Crowd: 4,645
The closely contested match showed dominant displays from Akuila Uate and James Maloney for Country, and Adam Reynolds and Ryan Hoffman for the City side equally commanding.
The Country team dominated the first half, opening the scoring in the 14th minute with Josh McCrone hitting the try line after a lightning Maloney pass, skipping around the City defence to score.
Not long after Akuila Uate scored an incredible try in the corner, crashing over two City defenders to somehow ground the ball and take the four points - six with Maloney adding the extras.
The City side looked largely lost in the opening half, with a couple of wayward kicks from Curtis Sironen and some lapses in defence.
But it was a very different-looking City side that took the field in the second half - with two tries in in the opening 8 minutes.
The first by way of Andrew Fifita, who picked up an offload from Wade Graham and cruised over the try line.
The second showed why Adam Reynolds is in contention with Mitchell Pearce for the NSW halfback spot - he scored after kicking and regathering his own grubber and hit the green right under the posts.
The scores were level for the next 20 minutes, with the Country side looking out of sorts; until Akuila Uate produced a basketball-like one-handed pass to James McManus who crossed for the deciding four-pointer.
Adam Reynolds' kicking game was particularly impressive, making two 40/20s as well as scoring his own try.
Man of the match Ryan Hoffman was also in good form, playing for almost the entire 80 minutes and showing strength in defence and attack, earning himself the Man of the Match award.
James Tedesco is the only player under an injury cloud, leaving the field clutching his hip with ten minutes remaining.
Country Origin 18
Josh McCrone, Akuila Uate, James McManus tries; James Maloney 3 goals.
City Origin 12
Andrew Fifita, Adam Reynolds tries, Adam Reynolds 2 goals.
Crowd: 4,645
