Luke Bailey will press for Origin Selection when he lines up for Country

While Queensland’s Origin squad grab a beer and a slice of pizza, New South Wales’ finest will be belting the living tripe out of each other for the chance of City/Country glory and the remote possibility of a sky blue guernsey. The Lismore football faithful will arrive in numbers to cheer on the maroon and gold of the bush boys and boo the royal blue and gold of City. Looking realistically, there are a few positions that could be decided on the basis of the performance in this match because, unlike the weekly grind of the NRL, the pace is a little quicker and the tackles a little bigger.

Ryan Cross springs to mind as a player looking to pick up a centre spot in the Blues side. The lock position will be strongly contested too with Scott Hill and Trent Waterhouse in the running and on opposite sides of the City Country fence. NSW coach, Ricky Stuart, has let the players know that he’ll be watching. So for anyone who thought it wasn’t a fair dinkum trial, think again. Or perhaps it’s just lip service paid to keep interest in a game that is just to keep in touch with the fans in the bush?

Dragons v Rabbitohs
Head, Gasnier and Cooper may be out again, but don’t expect that to help the struggling Rabbitohs who sit toward the tail end of the competition. While injuries have plagued the southern-Sydney club over the years, it has helped to bring on some of the club’s younger charges possibly before their time. The Bunnies unfortunately couldn’t play their way out of a wet paper bag at the moment. Shaun McRea has said much about wielding the axe for poor performance, but that just means a new combination has to settle in this weekend. Teams coming off the bye have a notoriously bad time of it. If there is a chance to buck that trend, this could be the week for the Rabbitohs to do so. Prediction: Dragons by 12.

Sharks v Warriors
The Sutherland Shire’s finest go from strength to strength this season. A problem area for so long, the forwards are setting a solid platform for the Sharks that is allowing playmakers Adam Dykes and Brett Kimmorley to shine. But better performances have meant that several Cronulla players will travel to Lismore for City/Country. The Warriors have no such commitments and will arrive at Toyota Park fresh and ready. But after being beaten by the Panthers at home, defeat at the hands of the Sharks seems likely. There is still something missing from the New Zealand side that not even a tired opposition will make up for. Prediction: Sharks by 8

Panthers v Raiders
Conflicting fortunes face off this weekend as the injury and suspension plagued Raiders take on the in-form Panthers. On the back of their close run victory over the Warriors, Penrith should get an easier assignment as they take on the Raiders at Penrith. While the Raiders toughed it out against the Knights last weekend, the Novocastrians finished with 15 men taking on a horrific casualty rate during the match. The return of Jason Smith, and Simon Woolford will help, but the continued absence of Clinton Schifcofske is a mark against the Canberrans. Expect representative players Craig Gower and Preston Campbell to be putting players through gaps all evening. Prediction: Panthers by 24

Broncos v Bulldogs
This fixture would have whet the appetite of any football tragic at this time last year, but on current form, the Bulldogs look likely to be chewed up and spat out by the in-form Brisbane club. The Bulldogs have an injured list rivalling Canterbury hospital. While their backline is mostly intact, their depleted forwards will have to do the dirty work against the star studded Broncos pack. There isn’t anyone in the Queensland contingent that isn’t playing well and the result will most likely reflect that. The ‘Dogs will have a couple backing up from Friday night which will only increase the margin. Prediction: Broncos by 18

Eels v Cowboys
North Queensland’s new era of competitiveness has arrived. The northern-most club is at the pointy end of the competition table and playing with a confidence that reflects their flamboyance. Parramatta is around the eight but showing inconsistency that defies prediction. After disposing of the Storm in Melbourne, then the Wests Tigers, they fell to an out of sorts Bulldogs. The Eels have the potential to beat Graham Murray’s men, but if they don’t turn up to play, the score line could be anything. The Cowboys can strike with anyone on the park and from anywhere on the field. And with the Eels providing a few players to City/Country, this is another match where the last ten minutes could be pivotal … if the game isn’t already over at that stage. Prediction: Cowboys by 22.

Roosters v Knights
It has not been the season that Knights fans were promised. They rescued Andrew Johns from the threat of rugby union, only to see him injured. They have played thrice at their newly refurbished ground for three losses, and against teams they could have beaten on the day. Roosters’ fans are suffering from post-Freddy depression. The side hasn’t lived up to the promise of continued success without their celebrated skipper. Languishing toward the tail end of the field, a win this weekend would be a small step toward and ascent on the competition ladder. Ryan Cross, the best Roosters player in recent weeks, pulls on a City jersey and the whole supporter base prays that he comes through in a position to take up his place at Aussie Stadium on Sunday, and perhaps in a Blue jersey in the next few weeks. Prediction: Roosters by 8.

Sea Eagles v Tigers
It may not be the fibros versus the silvertails, but expect a close encounter when Wests travel to the fortress that Brookvale Oval is fast becoming. Manly won’t be happy about a bit defeat at the hands of Brisbane. It has shown them to be a side that can’t mix it with the top echelon. The Tigers are listing and will want to right the ship quick smart to keep their goal of a top four finish on track. Their disappointing capitulation to the Dragons last Sunday is more than the motivation required to put on an eighty minute effort this week. Both sides have representative players backing up, but Manly’s contingent is bigger and is the only chink in their armour. Prediction: Sea Eagles by 12.

Good luck to City tonight. With the number of Country injuries, it will make the game a little more interesting, especially with several players out of position. Check the injuries on Saturday morning in case you need to change a tip.

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source: MasterTips