Draw leaves for questions for Blues selectors
It may be ironic that all four players shooting for a New South Wales halves berth had a chance to clinch the City/County match with a late field goal, with all four missing.
Todd Carney’s late try under the posts earned Country a 22-all draw against City, with no golden point on offer. Carney, along with partner Brett Finch as well as Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta all had their moments in the exciting contest, however none of the quartet made an iron clad case for Origin selection.
Anasta will be a warm favourite to wear the number six for the Blues, with his neat set up of John Sutton’s try in the opening stages giving City an early lead.
Country roared back into the game with three tries, opening a handy 16-6 lead. The match swayed City’s way when they piled on three tries of their own, the last via a misdirected chip kick from Carney. The country five eighth made up for his error when he stepped past City fullback Brett Hodgson to score in the 72nd minute.
Carney’s field goal effort from 48 metres almost stole the show, with the rocket kick shaving the left upright.
Brett Finch was strong as Country half, while 19 year old Pearce showed he wasn’t overawed by the step up in class.
“It was good fun. Had a ball, yeah,” Pearce told Channel Nine.
The missing piece in the jigsaw is Kurt Gidley, who comes off the bench in next weeks Centenary Test and is a candidate to play halfback for New South Wales.
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