NSW Residents Side

[Jeffles]

Congratulations to the guys for their selection.

http://www.nswrl.com.au/index.cgi?det=1&intArticleID=619&sID=27

The Chairman of the New South Wales Rugby League, Mr Colin Love, is pleased to announce the following players have been selected to represent NSW in the annual NSW Residents V QLD Residents match which will be played before Game 3 of the Harvey Norman State Origin Series on Wednesday 6th July 2005 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.


POSITION-PLAYER-CLUB
Fullback-Nathan Merritt-Newtown Jets
Wing-John Williams-Parramatta Eels
Centre-Steve Matai-Manly Sea Eagles
Centre-Ashley Graham-Parramatta Eels
Wing-Vince Mellars-Newtown Jets
Five Eighth-Terry Campese-Canberra Raiders
Half Back-Grant Rovelli-Sydney Roosters
Lock Forward-Luke O'Dwyer-Parramatta Eels
Second Row-Todd Maddison-Newcastle Knights
Second Row-Daniel Conn-Bulldogs
Prop Forward-Mickey Paea-Sydney Roosters
Hooker-Brett Finn -Windsor Wolves
Prop Forward-James Stosic-Newtown Jets
Interchange-Chris Bailey-Northern Blues
Interchange-Jermaine Ale -Canberra Raiders
Interchange-Josh Cordoba-Parramatta Eels
Interchange-Ben Hannant-Sydney Roosters

----

I brought this up last year but it is stuill relevant. Again there are token selectins from th Jim Beam Cup and from the Bush. It is a nice gesture but I don't think it has a spot in elite Rugby League. NSW is denyin itself a true representative side.

The other thing that bugs me about it is that this is the PL's closest thing to a rep side. Jim Beam Cup have a rep side and so do the various CRL divisions and groups. None of their rep teams have token selection. why should this be any different?

(Good to see three Jets players - it's been a long time coming!)

 

[girvie]

Is there a maximum amount of NRL games a player is allowed to play before they aren't eligible for selection?
Or do players need to play a certain amount of Premier League games to be selected?

 

[roopy]

Well done to Todd Maddison. He is really showing good form over recent weeks, picking up a lot of tries. Last year he was player of the year in the Newcastle comp. This year he has taken time to adjust to the higher standards in PL, but he is starting to really look the goods.

 

[roopy]

Last year Kurt Hancock was the 'token Country player'.
He was signed by the Newcastle Knights - has been captain of PL most of the season, and has played two games of firstgrade.

 

[Jeffles]

Good for Kurt! But there would've been PL players at the time that were ahead.

 

[roopy]

I think they got it exactly right putting Kurt into the side last year.
He had previously played PL with Norths and played in France, but when he returned to Aus he ended up with Bathurst St Pats. One of the selectors obviously knew he was a potential firstgrader wasting his talents in Country football - and he was still young enough to have a go at the big time.
There was obviously a Knights scout at the game last year because they signed up Hancock and also Campbell and Wooden from Qld.
I think the selectors for this game pick guys who have firstgrade potential but haven't been recognised yet - and Hancock was a great selection for that reason.

 

[Jeffles]

It would be naive to think he was in the side on merit alone. Norths PL and French Elite Rugby is not the best resume (no disrespect). Neither is the tag of PL captain.

It's no coincidence that there has been a token selection from CRL and JBC for the past few years. The 17 best NSW Residents outside the NRL plya Premier League - simple as that!

 

[skeepe]

David Milne from the Raiders has been added to the NSW Residents line-up. I'm not sure who he replaces.

 

[roopy]

Chris Bailey will train with the Knights in the off season - along with Maitland and Country prop Danny Vaughn.

 

[Mr Angry]

Anyone know how they went?

 

[girvie]

It proves that NSWRL Premier League is a stronger competition than the Queensland Cup.

Williams makes trip north worthwhile for Blues
By Steve Mascord
July 7, 2005

Back you go … a Queensland Residents' player sends his NSW rival into the turf at Suncorp Stadium last night.
Photo: Craig Golding

Queensland Residents 6 NSW Residents 16

Parramatta winger John Williams probably wishes he could have celebrated scoring a try on debut, against South Sydney on Sunday, rather than heading to Brisbane.

But the trip north to play for NSW Residents against Queensland in last night's Origin curtain-raiser proved more than worthwhile, as Williams scored the decisive try in the Blues' 16-6 win.

With six minutes left and the scores tied 6-6, hooker Brett Finn and second-rower Daniel Conn combined on the short side to send Williams down the flank to score the match-turning try. Another four-pointer soon followed for NSW to seal victory.

The Maroons started full of running and grabbed the first try through five-eighth Adam Hayden. Centre Damien Quinn added the extras for Queensland to lead 6-0, a margin they held until half-time.

NSW's Jermaine Ale was unfortunate to have a try disallowed in the 48th minute when he came up with possession following a bomb and crossed before a touch judge ruled the ball had travelled forward off teammate Vince Mellars.

The scores were finally tied when the ball bounced infield into the arms of halfback Grant Rovelli after a Terry Campese bomb. Sydney Roosters' Rovelli dived over between the posts and Nathan Merritt converted.

A high tackle by the Maroons' Jeremy Smith on Williams went unpunished in the 56th minute but the 20-year-old Hills District junior had the last laugh with his try. Rovelli then added to the margin when he took a pass from clubmate Ben Hannant to cross with seconds left. Fullback Merritt converted for 16-6.

NSW RESIDENTS 16 (G Rovelli 2 J Williams tries N Merritt 2 goals) bt QUEENSLAND RESIDENTS 6 (A Hayden D Quinn goal) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: R Alexander.

 

[Hurriflatch]

Milne would've replaced Cordoba who was ruled out for a while with injury surprised Cordoba was even picked as he had been out for 1-2 weeks before the team was even picked.