City vs. Country NRL Origin preview, betting and free tips

City vs. Country. Sunday, May 7 from 4pm at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

REPRESENTATIVE football continues on Sunday when 36 players will be pushing for a State of Origin spot when City take on Country at Mudgee.

The City ($1.73 @ Crownbet.com.au) vs. Country ($2.10 @ Sportsbet.com.au) format has been successful over the years as the lesser-fancied sports grounds get their chance to host some of the best NRL talent in the country.

Players from the New South Wales region will be looking to force their way into the Blues Origin side, which means there’s plenty up for grabs for every player involved.

Bookmakers typically find it tough to split the sides which have only come together for a week, but Country has attracted the early support.

Both teams have a wealth of experience and youth, which should make for an exciting game and we’re expecting the betting action to be equally split between the two star outfits.

Crownbet.com.au was one of the first bookmakers to release City vs. Country markets and punters can get some great odds for the big Sunday clash.

City team lineup and first try scorer tips

City might be the underdogs for this away fixture, but there’s plenty to like about its line up.

The experienced Paul Gallen, Sharks teammate Chad Townsend and superstars such as Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Moylan make for a mouth-watering side.

1. Matt Moylan
2. Clinton Gutherson
3. Nathan Ross
4. Tyrone Peachy
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Bryce Cartwright
7. Chad Townsend
8. James Tamou
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Gallen
11. Curtis Sironen
12. David Gower
13. Hame Sele

City looms as a dangerous side because the experience their forwards have, but the backline is complete with star power.

Centre Nathan Ross has been mighty popular with try-scoring punters this season and it’s not hard to see why. The Newcastle Knights star has scored six tries from seven games and his cult following continues to gain traction.

Ross is built to succeed at representative level and although he’s not quite up to Origin level, a strong showing on Sunday could earn him a look-in. His error count is low considering how much ball he gets and with five line breaks this season, Ross is a threat all over the park.

Another potent try scorer is the noted speedster Josh Addo-Carr. The flying Storm player has scored five tries already this season and many thought it would only be a matter of time before representative football came calling.

Addo-Carr is a former sprinting star who is using that pace to cross the white line. The 21-year-old will get better with more experience and this should be a good environment for him.

Our third try-scoring tip goes to Clinton Gutherson, who has come alive with a flurry of recent tries. Gutherson is an enigmatic-type winger, but his confidence is up and that makes him a dangerous prospect.

He hasn’t been the greatest goal kicker this season, but those duties will be given up for this clash which should allow him to settle down. He’s a top try-scoring prospect who should go close to scoring this Sunday.

Country first try-scoring tips and confirmed team

Country has named a solid team across the park and the back line is full of try-scoring stars. All seven players in the Country back line have scored multiple tries this season, which makes for an interesting market.

1. Michael Gordon
2. Anthony Don
3. Euan Aitken
4. Cheyse Blair
5. Brian Kelly
6. Cody Walker
7. Tyrone Roberts
8. Dale Finucane
9. Damien Cook
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Mitchell Aubusson
12. Kyle Turner
13. Jack de Belin

Both Michael Gordon and Brian Kelly have scored five tries this season, but we’re leaning towards Brian Kelly as our top try-scoring hope this Sunday.

The Titans winger has made five line breaks this season which is good for a winger and his low error count makes him a reliable player.

He’s not the name on everyone’s lips, but Kelly shouldn’t go under the radar with punters and he looks a good betting chance.

We think the Country side will have to show some toughness and defense to win this game against City, and that’s where Euan Aitken comes into play.

The Dragons centre is built for power and he has scored four tries already this season. His no-nonsense approach close to the line will give Country the much-needed strike power and we think he’s a good bet to cross the line at some stage on Sunday.

Aitken is on the verge of getting a call-up to Origin and with a strong showing here, he could be a part of the new-look Blues outfit once it’s all said and done.

City vs. Country game tip

Country are the current favourites, but we’re favouring City in what is usually a game decided by a small winning margin.

Home ground advantage shouldn’t mean much in this format and we believe City has the experience edge and also the excitement edge.

Taking odds-on for a team that has only just come together can be dangerous, so it only makes sense to take City at the value price of $1.73 @ Crownbet.com.au