NSW Country skipper James Maloney is relishing the time his side gets to spend in camp together in Tamworth as the buzz around the AAMI City Country clash at Scully Park on Sunday continues to build.
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The Country squad had their first hit out in town at Oxley High yesterday morning and the skipper is pleased with the way the side is coming together as well as the reception the game is getting around town.
“We haven’t been here long but we have already run into a lot of kids from around the region,” Maloney said.
“We are always talking and hearing about how important grass roots are to the game, so it is really important to get out to country areas.”
Maloney will head up one of the strongest Country sides seen in recent years, a feat made even easier by the fact that only four New South Welshmen were named in the Kangaroos squad to play New Zealand in Newcastle tomorrow night. Front-line players like Maloney, Boyd Cordner, and Tyson Frizel will be up against the likes of in form City stars Aidan Sezer, Josh Mansour and Bryce Cartwright, plus a host of other top NRL stars.
“Whether it is used as an Origin selection trial or not, it is one of the best weeks in the season,” Maloney said.
“The kids and supporters from this area get to see high quality NRL players.”
“I think that makes it more special to the Country players.”
