Let's Talk Rep Round

With Mal Meninga naming his Australian team a bit earlier this year, we focus on who could take the field of battle for New Zealand as well as how the City and Country teams are shaping up. 

NEW ZEALAND

1. PETA HIKU With a season ending injury ruling Roger Tuivasa-Scheck out of action, the versatile Hiku looks set to move to the back after filling in at five-eight for the Kiwis in last year's tour of England. Tuimoala Lolohea was looming as a possible bolter but a knee injury suffered in last night's loss to Melbourne could rule him out of contention.

2. JASON NIGHTINGALE A veteran of 27 Tests for his country, the Dragons winger has never let a sole down at International level. His will to compete on every play is an invaluable asset and often inspires his teammates around him.

3. SHAUN KENNY-DOWALL Amongst a horror start to the year for the Sydney Roosters, SKD has been one of the shining lights. One of the best dummy half runners in the game and will be looking to add to his tally of nine tries at International level.

4. SOLOMONE KATA After making his International debut for Tonga last year, the Warriors centre is looming as a good chance of stepping into the Kiwis backline. His pure strength and leg drive make him a constant danger when given the ball close to the line. His inclusion could depend on whether incumbent Dean Whare can prove his fitness with a possible return to the paddock for the Panthers this week.

5. MANU VATUVEI Made a return to the paddock against the Storm last night after an interrupted start to his 2016 campaign. With an impressive International strike rate of 22 tries in 28 Tests for his country ‘The Beast" is set to be unleased on the Aussies once again.

6. KIERAN FORAN Set to make his return to International level after missing last year's tour of England through injury. Has been in stellar form for the Eels and at just 25 years of age, has become one of the most influential players in the game today.

7. SHAUN JOHNSON Like his halves partner, is set to return to the International stage after missing the tour of England last year. An impressive point scoring record for New Zealand, Johnson has chalked up 134 points in 14 games, meaning he's good for almost 10 points every time he pulls on the Kiwi jersey. Hasn't really set the competition alight so far this year, but was in similar form this time last year and went on to play a major hand in ripping the Aussies apart.

8. JESSE BROMWICH It's hard to argue with Bromwich's stature as the best front-rower in the game today. Possesses a rare combination for a prop of power, strength, footwork and the ability to use the ball both before and through the line. Will be leading from the front as he has done in his 17 previous Test matches.

9. ISAAC LUKE Bestowed the honour of captaining his country on last year's tour of England due to the absences of Simon Mannering and Kieran Foran, Luke lead from the front as always. Has had a slow start by his standards with the Warriors this year, but the veteran of 34 Tests is still amongst the best rakes in the game at getting his forwards on a roll.

10. BEN MATULINO With the experience of 23 Tests behind him, the Warriors bookend has established himself as one of the premier front-rowers in the game. Likes his partner up front, possesses great strength, footwork and an offload that will have the Aussies on high alert all night.

11. TOHU HARRIS Continued his impressive start to the season with a man of the match performance against the Warriors last night. With 10 Tests since debuting in 2013, the Storm back-rower has quickly engulfed himself as a mainstay in the Kiwis setup for years to come.

12. SIMON MANNERING Missed last year's Tour of England through injury, but the Kiwis long standing skipper is a walk up starter after 40 quality appearances for his country. Copped a gruesome cut in his mouth in last night's heavy loss to Melbourne that had Warriors medicos scrambling for a plastic surgeon. No word yet on whether he will miss any game time, but it'd be a brave man to bet against the tough as teak back-rower taking the field in a Test match for his country.

13. JASON TAUMOLOLO Missed all four of New Zealand's matches last year through injury, but will be one of the first picked by Coach Stephen Kearney for this fixture. The Premiership winning lock forward has established himself as one of the most powerful forwards in the game. His power combined with his quick footwork will provide plenty of headaches for the Aussie defensive line.

Interchange

14. KENNY EDWARDS Footwork, strength and a deft passing game would make the Eels super-sub more than a handful coming on to take advantage of a solid platform his hard-running forwards before him look likely to set. His unique skillset could see him play the utility roll on the Kiwis bench with the ability to cover the forwards, halves and hooker comfortably.

15. KEVIN PROCTOR A solid contributor at Test level with 11 matches behind him in the starting team, the Storm back-rower could find himself a touch unlucky to be relegated to the bench due to Mannering's return and the hot form of club mate Harris. The hard-running Proctor packs plenty of punch on the edges and could prove even more dangerous coming on fresh against tiring defenders.

16. SAM MOA Since returning from the English Super League three years ago the Roosters enforcer has proven a valuable asset for the Kiwis. His hard running and strong leg drive make him a handful to bring to a halt. After the Roosters poor start to the year look for a big showing from Moa back at International level.

17. MARTIN TAUPAU With nine quality caps to his name "KAPOW" has proven a destruction weapon coming off the bench for the Kiwis in recent times. Hard and straight, Manly's star back-rower gives the Kiwis a shot in the arm after their opening onslaught to keep the roll going. Playing on an edge at club level this year means he brings added versatility to the New Zealand bench.

COUNTRY v CITY ORIGIN

Long gone are the days this fixture acts as a genuine trial for New South Wales selection. The majority of incumbent Blues players will either be on National duty or sitting the game out because Blues Coach Laurie Daley knows what he's going to get from them players. With this in mind here are a few key points ahead of the teams being announced on Sunday evening.

THREE INTO ONE WON'T FIT
The three men vying for Josh Dugan's number one jersey should Daley choose to play Dugan in the centres are all from the City. The hot early season form of James Tedesco, the strong return from injury recently of Matt Moylan and the growing push recently for Lachlan Coote makes this decision a tough one for City Coach Brad Fittler.

The consensus could be that Coote has nothing to prove. Week in week out, his performances are there for all to see. Safe as a bank, an extra ball player and a handy left foot boot make him an asset, but even more impressive is his try saving ability and effort on effort plays he often comes up with. If Daley picks him for NSW he won't let anyone down. With this in mind I'd expect to see Tedesco start at the back with Moylan used as a utility off the bench spending time in the halves as well as at fullback.

SIXES AND SEVENS
With only three games for the Roosters before the NSW team is picked, the temptation may be there for Daley to give Mitchell Pearce an extra run with the City boys in the lead up. There probably isn't any real point though. He's been there that many times at Origin level that he's just not going to bring anything new to the table. Expect both he and fellow incumbent Trent Hodkinson to sit this one out.
With plenty of young halves available for City selection it may be wise to also sit out Josh Reynolds and Blake Austin. Similar players, it's a case of what you see is what you get with them two. Neither are the greatest ball-players in the world but have strong running games and an un-coachable will to compete on every play. Look for some good early season form from the Raiders Aidan Sezer and Sharks Chad Townsend to earn themselves a chance to impress.

For Country the depth isn't quite there so it's likely we'll see an experienced combination of James Maloney and Jamie Soward steering the ship. 

THE FORWARDS
Don't expect to see names like Ryan Hoffman, Beau Scott, Greg Bird and Trent Merrin on the team sheets Sunday night. All have plenty of experience at Origin level and are likely to be rested. For incumbent bench forwards Josh Jackson and Boyd Cordner it could be different matter. With edge back-rowers Hoffman and Scott not getting any younger, Coach Daley could be considering the younger boys as starting options this year and will be keen for the Country pairing to put in dominant performances in this one. There also looks to be plenty of talent that could put their name up in lights should injuries or suspensions occur throughout the series.

TRBOJEVIC BROTHERS
With an ankle injury yesterday to winger and younger brother Tom this one might not eventuate, but if it does…look out! If Tom is fit expect to see him on the wing and older brother Jake at lock for City. Exceptional young players, both seem destined for further representative honours in the future. Both are pure footballers and with a big game in this fixture could have Coach Daley seriously considering them this year. Tom has all the skills of a quality outside back with speed, evasion and a strong work ethic coming out of his own end, whilst Jake has one of the best tackling techniques in the game with his ability to chop players down with his lethal waist high tackles. Also a strong carrier of the ball, Jake has a rare ball playing ability for a big man.

POSSIBLE TEAMS
CITY - 1. James Tedesco 2. Josh Mansour 3. Joey Leilua 4. James Roberts 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Nathan Peats 10. Reegan Campbell-Gillard 11. Wade Graham © 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Matt Moylan 15. Tyrone Peachey 16. Junior Paulo 17. Tim Grant
COUNTRY - 1. Jack Wighton 2. David Mead 3. Jarrod Croker © 4. Jack Bird 5. Sione Mata'utai 6. James Maloney 7. Jamie Soward 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Mitch Rein 10. Ryan James 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Josh Jackson 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Tyson Frizell 15. Dale Finucane 16. Jack De Belin 17. Paul Vauhan

OTHER FIXTURES
Whilst the Test Match and City v Country matches will be the main focus over the rep weekend, there will be plenty of talent on show across a number of other important fixtures. 

The growing women's game will see the Australian Jillaroos up against the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns in a double header with the Test Match on the Friday night.

On the Saturday at Pirtek Stadium, the junior Kangaroos and Kiwis do battle before the Pacific Tests of Fiji v Papua New Guinea and the fiercely contested rivalry of Tonga v Samoa erupt into action.

In Queensland on the Sunday, the best of the Intrust Super Cup (QLD) and Intrust Super Premiership (NSW) also do battle at Suzuki Stadium Langlands Park.

With all the representative fixtures on show these days, it really could be worth bringing them to the one venue in coming years, providing a unique carnival like atmosphere. Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LeagueUnlimited!