By CASEY O’CONNOR
WHEN the NRL pencilled in a full round of representative football, they could not have anticipated that tipsters would be in much need of a break.
Tipsters everywhere are throwing their hands in the air in despair and reaching for the comfort of a soothing ale or a quiet cup of tea and a lie down after last weekend’s results.
The form guide has gone out the window and I am seriously considering resorting to a blindfold and pin.
Anyone who nominated a perfect round last week, please contact me with this week’s lotto numbers.
Concerns about the number of games scheduled for Anzac Day were dispelled as fans, players and clubs paid emotional tribute to our Anzacs and those still serving before we were treated to some extraordinary football.
This week that quality continues in the representative arena when the Kangaroos and Kiwis go head to head in the Anzac Test on Friday night. The Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns play the curtain-raiser at Suncorp.
On Saturday at CBUS stadium, in the battle of the South Pacific, Fiji take on PNG Kumuls and Samoa will play Fiji. The curtain-raiser to these games is the clash of the Junior Kangaroos and Junior Kiwis.
The weekend of rep football wraps up on Sunday with the annual- Country Origin vs City Origin in Wagga Wagga.
A great weekend of football ahead, and if your preferred tipping competition covers all these games you are in for a tough task.
Killarney’s favourite daughter Stephanie Hancock captains the Australian Jillaroos in their clash against the Kiwi Ferns.
Make no mistake this is no powder puff stuff. There is a fierce rivalry between these two sides who play an outstanding brand of football with no quarter given and none expected. The Jillaroos I think can turn the tables on their loss in the Nines in February.
The Kangaroos have an outstanding record against the Kiwis in one-off Test matches, but this game is shaping as a blockbuster.
The Test takes on added urgency as the Kangaroos try to avoid a hat-trick of losses against New Zealand for the first time in 63 years.
No real surprises when the Australian team was announced and the debutantes have more than earned their call up to the green and gold jersey.
Will Chambers, Josh Dugan and Trent Merrin have each experienced State of Origin, however, all three agree that selection for the Australian side is the pinnacle of their career.
Coach Tim Sheens has a mix of youth and experience to work with. The only major injury concern is the fitness of Billy Slater who is working to overcome a shoulder injury and is expected to make an early call on his fitness.
Australia: Billy Slater, Alex Johnston, Greg Inglis, Will Chambers, Josh Dugan, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), Aaron Woods, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Luke Lewis, Trent Merrin, Nate Myles, James Tamou. Daly Cherry-Evans (18th man), Michael Jennings (19th man), Canberra forward Josh Papalii (20th man) were included as cover in case of injuries.
Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney and his selectors named an 18-man squad. The New Zealand team is dripping with young talent.
The Kiwis will rely on the bulk of last year’s Four Nations winning side and welcome back Ben Matulino, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and Sam Moa to the international fold.
New Zealand: Jesse Bromwich, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, Kieran Foran, Tohu Harris, Peta Hiku, Shaun Johnson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering Ben Matulino , Sam Moa, Kevin Proctor, Matin Taupau, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Manu Vatuvei and Jason Nightingale.
I am hoping I do not put a hex on the Kangaroos by tipping them in a close encounter worthy of an Anzac Day clash.
Saturday the action moves to the Gold Coast. The Junior Kangaroos and Junior Kiwis to open the Pacific challenge triple header.
Both sides are brimming with talent some already on display in the NRL. In a close game perhaps the young Kangaroos by a nose.
Expect some fierce battles as the powerhouses of the Pacific go head to head. The Kumulus get their chance to shine against Fiji Bati side. The Kumulus are performing well at Qld State League level could cause an upset.
The wealth of talent available in the Pacific region will certainly be highlighted when Samoa and Tonga go head to head. Samoa go into this game slight favourites after their success in the Four Nations last year. Should be a great spectacle at CBus stadium.
The weekend wraps up with the clash between NSW Country Coach and NSW City.
Coaches Trent Barrett and Brad Fittler have selected teams filled with NRL experience and skill and Blue’s coach Laurie Daley will be watching on keenly as will Maroon’s supporters.
The corresponding game last year finished in an enthralling 26-all draw and we can expect another close encounter.
Jack Bird who made his NRL debut in round four has earned a call up to the Country side and will spearhead the attack alongside captain and five-eighth James Maloney. Dragon’s hooker Mitch Rein has been called into the Country camp as the new player on the bench.
Changes also to the City side due to injury. James Tedesco comes into the side. James Roberts shifts to centre and Blake Austin moves to halfback. Eels utility Joseph Paulo is on the interchange bench and. Bryce Cartwright has been named 18th man.
CITY ORIGIN
1. Matt Moylan; 2. James Tedesco; 3. James Roberts; 4. Waqa Blake; 5. Daniel Tupou; 6. Josh Reynolds; 7. Blake Austin; 8. Andrew Fifita; 9. Nathan Peats; 10. David Klemmer; 11. Curtis Sironen; 12. Wade Graham; 13. Tyrone Peachey
Interchange: 14. Joseph Paulo; 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard; 16. Kane Evans; 17. Jason Clark; 18. Bryce Cartwright .
2015 Country Origin team: 1. David Mead; 2. Akuila Uate ; 3. Jarrod Croker; 4. Jack Wighton; 5. James McManus; 6. James Maloney ;7. Jack Bird ; 8. Dale Finucane; 9. Ryan Hinchcliffe; 10. Kade Snowden; 11. Joel Thompson; 12. Tyson Frizell;13. Josh Jackson.
Interchange: 14. Mitch Rein; 15. Paul Vaughan; 16. Tariq Sims; 17. Ryan James; 18th man: Shannon Boyd.
Always a challenge to find the winner here given the depth of talent and what is at stake for the players. Perhaps Country may have the wood on their City cousins this year.
Casey’s tips:
Jillaroos
Kangaroos
Junior Kangaroos
Kumulus
Samoa
Country Origin
