City vs Country Scrapped

KANGAROO great Steve Roach has accused an “arrogant” NRL of turning its back on bush footy, describing the decision to scrap the controversial City/Country match as “a disgrace”.Despite existing for over 100 years, the annual NSW Origin trial will be axed following next year’s game in Mudgee.NRL Head of Football Brian Canavan will confirm the decision at a press conference in Mudgee today to announce the venue for 2017.And while promises are likely to accompany the news — including more NRL games being taken to the bush — Roach suggested the only answer was to have all 10 NSW-based CEOs commit, in writing, to one game per year in country NSW.The City-Country game has been played since 1911.“I think it’s an absolute disgrace,’’ Roach said of the representative fixture’s demise.“I thought rugby league was supposed to be all about acknowledging history and tradition. All about respect and grassroots.“Yet now the NRL takes a game with more than 100 years tradition and just scraps it? That’s arrogance.“The NRL is turning its back on the bush with this decision.”Back in 2013, the NRL announced a potential $1.2 million blueprint to take four competition games to country NSW every winter. Then last year, it was suggested Monday Night Football — which will now be scrapped in 2017 — could be taken west.TARGET: Dugan ready for whatever the Kiwis throw at himBURNING QUESTIONS: What awaits in the Four Nations final“So they’ve been talking for years,’’ Roach continued. “But if the NRL is serious, they should make every CEO sign a commitment to take one game bush every year.“Because you can bet those same clubs will still be signing young country players, won’t they? But what are they giving back?“You can’t take, take, take and not give back.”Despite first being contested 1911, the annual City/Country match has taken a hit in recent years as big name players were either rested by their clubs or withdrawn because of ‘injury’.Questions have also been raised over the game’s worth as a genuine Origin trial.Is City-Country still a genuine trial?“But try telling that to Shannon Boyd, who is about to represent Australia in a Four Nations Final,’’ Roach fired.“He’s there after debuting with Country this year. And look at what the game has done for guys like Boyd Cordner, James Maloney, Jack Bird and Tyson Frizell. Maybe the NRL should’ve asked them if this game matters.”Certainly there is no doubting the popularity of City/Country among bush fans either, with the two most recent outings in Tamworth and Wagga both selling out.Earlier this year, Origin greats Brad Fittler and Craig Fitzgibbon, who coach City and Country respectively, both suggested the NRL must find a way to make the event work.Players from both squads also overwhelmingly backed the concept, including rising Blues stars Frizell and Bird.What the hell is going down at NRL HQ? It seems like monkeys are the decisions, they have just given a leg up to AFL....I mean who comes up with these decisions? Hopeless!!!

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Replies

Kurupt November 20, 2016 at 7:28pm

Rubbish game, looks like nsw is finally getting a shake up.
Roach needs to go as well.
The French Fullback #1 November 20, 2016 at 7:41pm

City/Country is a disgrace. Players pull out because they're "injured" and you end up with a B grade side for each team. Consider this, Gutherson played fullback for City last year yet didn't play one game for his club team starting in the #1. It's not a true trial anyway, more than half the squad are already picked, it's put on purely for the bush and that's it. Nobody cares about the result.
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst November 20, 2016 at 7:43pm

I'm thinking bout the country towns that are going to miss their rugby league.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst November 20, 2016 at 9:15pm
  
  They are just going to play their banjo's or have sex with their sisters instead Baz.
- Pauli > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst November 20, 2016 at 9:53pm
  
  Lol
Wizardssleeves official receipts November 20, 2016 at 7:47pm

But I'll bet they'll keep that racist Abo's verse the rest game .
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > Wizardssleeves official receipts November 20, 2016 at 8:21pm
  
  Not sure why you're calling that game racist.
- Tin Tim > Wizardssleeves official receipts November 21, 2016 at 4:34am
  
  Don't agree with this rubbish about the Koori against the all stars, bullcrap concept.... City vs country is all about footy... Not race, or colour!!!!
The Offside Eel November 20, 2016 at 8:44pm

Good useless micky mouse game.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown November 20, 2016 at 9:13pm

At last some common sense prevails, a ridiculous game at a ridiculous time, QLD have gone ok never having a silly selection game before origin.

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