Let's Talk Rep Round

With teams for the upcoming representative round to be named next Sunday, we shift our focus to the test match between Australia and the defending Four Nations champions, New Zealand and have a look at how each side is shaping up. We'll also run our eye over some of the key selections looming for the City and Country teams.

AUSTRALIA

1. GREG INGLIS - With Billy Slater again sidelined from National duty due to injury, Inglis will shift to his club position of fullback as he did in last year's Four Nations.
2. JOSH DUGAN - Injuries to Brett Morris and Darius Boyd have opened the door for someone to grab an opportunity on the wing. In great club form in recent weeks, Dugan could earn his first green and gold jersey in the unfamiliar position. Dugan has already proven to be adaptable in positional switches as evidenced when he played centre in Origin last year and always rises to the occasion on the big stage.
3. JOSH MORRIS - With question marks over the fitness of Justin Hodges who failed to finish his comeback match on Friday night, selectors may choose not to risk him, leaving the door open for a return to National duty for Morris. Arguably, the best defensive centre in the game and has found some of his attacking spark in recent weeks. Will also need to prove his fitness after being a late withdrawal on Friday night.
4. MICHAEL JENNINGS - One of the incumbents from last year's Four Nations, the Rooster's flyer is a permanent in the Australian team these days after years of being stuck behind Hodges and Inglis.
5. JOSH MANSOUR - Debuted last year and has done nothing to put his place in the team under pressure. Very strong ball runner who takes a lot of pressure off his forwards.
6. JOHNATHAN THURSTON - Was sorely missed in the Four Nations last year and will no doubt give the Aussies a huge boost in his return to the team. Form player in the game right now.
7. COOPER CRONK - Showed all the composure in the world on Saturday night in getting his team over the line, like he has so often at every level in the game. Will again be the man charged with guiding his side around the park.
8. MATTHEW SCOTT - Another omission from last year's squad through injury, Scott will bring some much needed grunt up front.
9. CAMERON SMITH - When all's said and done, Smith will go down as one of the all-time great Kangaroo captains. His position in the team is his for as long as he wants it.
10. AARON WOODS - Made his debut last year and deserves his spot in a full strength line-up. Arguably the dominant front-rower in the comp.
11. GREG BIRD - Another big game performer who's never let anyone down at the top level. Will again bring plenty of aggression to the table.
12. BEAU SCOTT - Has to prove his fitness first, but if cleared will hold his spot in the team, forming one of the more aggressive back-rows seen in today's game.
13. PAUL GALLEN - Is expected to be cleared by the NRL in the coming week to return to National duty after his infamous tweet during the off season. Could be his last test match so expecting a big one.
14. BEN HUNT - There's been a few whispers around about Kurt Gidley reclaiming the bench utility role but surely Hunt's form has been too good to resist. Is also the incumbent after filling the role well at the end of last year.
15. LUKE LEWIS - The Sharks veteran has proved his fitness in recent weeks and should again be recalled to the green and gold setup. Always brings impact off the bench at this level and is capable of covering the outside backs in the event of injury.
16. TRENT MERRIN - Surely this is the year Merrin makes his National debut after another strong start to the year. His mobility, late footwork before the line and offloading ability would make him more than a handful when coming on.
17. SAM THAIDAY - After receiving an early season rocket from Wayne Bennett, Thaiday has returned to his blockbusting best. Brings the versatility to make an impact both in the middle and on the edges.

NEW ZEALAND

1. ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK - Should force his way back into the Kiwis setup after an outstanding start to the season. Is eating metres for breakfast at the moment and is a constant threat to opposition defences with the ball in hand.
2. JASON NIGHTINGALE - A mainstay in New Zealand sides over the years, Nightingale will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness.
3. DEAN WHARE - Another player who needs to prove his fitness but a must have if fit. One of the best defensive centres going round and is very good at setting up his winger when given room to move. Was one of the real stars in last year's Four Nations victory.
4. PETA HIKU - Has been a standout in a beaten side most of the year. Could shift from fullback to centre for the kiwis to accommodate the inclusion of Tuivasa-Sheck.
5. MANU VATUVEI - The Beast has been in strong try scoring form to start the year and is bringing the ball back with plenty of venom from his own end. Looks set to wreak havoc on the Aussies once again.
6. KIERAN FORAN - If he can prove his fitness after being a late omission on Friday night, Foran could really appreciate the opportunity to be involved in a positive environment. Has always worn his National jersey with pride and class.
7. SHAUN JOHNSON - Hasn't found his best form yet this year, but should hold his spot at halfback after an outstanding Four Nations tournament which lead to him being awarded the Golden Boot Award for best player on the planet.
8. JESSE BROMWICH - Has again been at the top of his game this year, the highly talented prop will again be looking to lead his team from the front.
9. ISAAC LUKE - A Constant threat out of dummy half again this year and always brings plenty of inspiration for his team mates at this level. Will no doubt light the fire pre game leading the haka with great passion and pride.
10. SAM MOA - The hundred miles an hour Moa would no doubt bring plenty of aggressive runs early for the kiwis who will be looking to get off to a fast start.
11. SIMON MANNERING - The Kiwis skipper will no doubt bring his tireless work ethic to the table once again. Will shift back to one of the edges after playing mostly in the middle at club level this year.
12. KEVIN PROCTOR - Should hold his spot in the Kiwis back row bringing real strike out on the edges with his aggressive hole running and offloads.
13. MARTIN TAUPAU - Has lifted his work rate after moving to the back of the scrum this year. His aggressive game has proved a nightmare for anyone daring to stand in his way.
14. BEN MATULINO - Should return to the side after missing the Four Nations through injury. Would bring plenty of go forward and second phase play off the bench.
15. ELIJAH TAYLOR - The Panthers workhorse would bring plenty of versatility to the team if he can prove his fitness. Mainly a backrower, Taylor can also cover hooker five-eight and centre if needed.
16. JASON TAUMOLOLO - The most damaging ball running forward in the game could easily make the run on side. But if the kiwis could hold their own early, imagine bringing this wrecking ball onto the park when the opposition begins to tire.
17. SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO - It's not uncommon for the kiwis to throw a young talent with limited first grade experience into the mix for this test match and this young tearaway fits the bill. Has been extremely impressive since debuting in round one, Taukeiaho has made plenty of impact with his tackle busting charges.

CITY/COUNTRY
FULLBACK - The fullbacks could be decided by Dugan's possible selection in the test team. If he's overlooked to make his national debut, many would expect him to go head to head with City's Matt Moylan in a potential shoot out for the vacant NSW number one jersey. If we're being fair dinkum though, the annual City v County fixture hasn't been a genuine selection trial for a number of years. It appears pretty obvious by now what Dugan and Moylan can bring to the Origin table and NSW coach Laurie Daley may advise selectors to give the likes of James Tedesco (City) and Jack Wighton (Country) an opportunity to perform at rep level.

JAMES ROBERTS - The Titans flyer has been in hot try scoring form this year and is looming as a genuine bolter for one of the Blues wing positions come Origin one. Will likely get his opportunity to further enhance his claim with a representative debut for City. If there's one thing you can't coach in this game, its speed and Roberts is burning opposition defenders for fun at the moment.

HALVES - Will be really interesting to see which way selectors go here. Blues coach Daley has urged selectors to give some of the younger halves a run at this level, having declared he already knows what the likes of Trent Hodkinson, Josh Reynolds, Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney can bring to the table. If Daley is going to stick with experience in the halves for NSW though, he may be well served to let them play in this game. With none of the above in career best form, they probably need all the footy under their belt they can get in the lead up to Origin one to help recapture their best. Maloney and Reynolds both made improvement in their games on the weekend and would probably gain further confidence being involved in a rep fixture.

It's more likely the original plan will stick though, so look for Luke Keary to get a run for City at halfback, with Aiden Sezer, Chad Townsend and Blake Austin all in the frame at five-eight. For Country, young Sharks star Jack Bird could get an early taste of rep footy after just four NRL games. Many would have a keen eye on Bird for the future. There's not a lot of halfbacks available for Country in great form, so maybe a rejuvenated Sam Williams will get the gig after helping turn the Raiders form around in recent weeks.

FRONT-ROW - The philosophy of giving the younger brigade a run probably doesn't apply here. Andrew Fifita and David Klemmer will both be available for selection after completing suspensions this week and should be given every opportunity to regain some much needed match fitness heading into Origin one, they were only just starting to wind up before their respective bans. James Tamou is another who could benefit from the extra run. After being plagued by a troublesome neck injury for some time, the Cowboys enforcer is slowly getting back to some of his better form. The above three could all be competing for one position on the interchange for Origin one, giving them all extra motivation.

On the other side of the coin, Aiden Tolman and Kade Snowden could be presented with the perfect opportunity to overshadow the tall timber in City's pack and stake their own claims for Origin selection.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

CITY - 1 James Tedesco 2 James Roberts 3 Dylan Walker 4 Tim Simona 5 Alex Johnstone 6 Aiden Sezer 7 Luke Keary 8 Andrew Fifita 9 Nathan Peats 10 James Tamou 11 Tony Williams 12 John Sutton 13 Wade Graham 14 Blake Austin 15 Tyrone Peachey 16David Klemmer 17 Darcy Lussick

COUNTRY - 1 Jack Wighton 2 David Mead 3 Euan Aitken 4 Jarrod Croker 5 Sione Matu'utia 6 Jack Bird 7 Sam Williams 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Mitch Rein 10 Kade Snowden 11 Joel Thompson 12 Josh Jackson 13 Shaun Fensom 14 Mitchell Aubusson 15 Tyson Frizell16 Jack De Belin 17 Paul Vaughan