Memorable Debuts - Rep Round

Welcome to Memorable Debuts, a feature of LeagueUnlimited.com where we take a look at the upcoming matches of the round.

As the regular NRL season has gone on hiatus for this week's Representative Round, we'll be taking a look at some of the more memorable fixtures in the past decade or so.

New Zealand v Australia
North Harbour Stadium, 2003
While the Warriors failed to replicate their efforts of the previous year by making the Grand Final, by the time the end of season test rolled around, the New Zealand based club fielded almost half of the players in the match. 11 of the Kiwi's side played for the Warriors in 2003 including Henry Fa'afili (6 Tests), Vinnie Anderson (Debut), Clinton Toopi (6 Tests), Francis Meli (7 Tests), Sione Faumuina (Debut), Motu Tony (2 Tests), Monty Betham (6 Tests), Thomas Leuluai (Debut), Awen Guttenbeil (6 Tests), Jerry Seuseu (7 Tests) and Ali Lauit'iti (9 Tests), while Richard Villasanti brought the total to 12 by debuting for the Kangaroos. In the final wash up, New Zealand ran out 30-16 winners, with all points scored by the Kiwis courtesy of Warriors players including a hat-trick of tries from Toopi.

Indigenous Dreamtime v New Zealand Maori
Sydney Football Stadium, 2008
As a precursor to the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, the Indigenous Dreamtime defeated the New Zealand Maori 34-26. In a game featuring future Kiwi internationals Sam McKendry and Kevin Proctor, it was another forward that had fans talking. Having called it a day at the end of 2006, former Dragon and Knight Craig Smith decided to go around one last time only days before his 37th birthday. While he was unable to lead the Maori to a win, for a man who hadn't played in two years it was a solid effort to say the least.

Australia v New Zealand
Suncorp Stadium, 2007
Some individuals go through their entire careers without playing a single representative match. Others have been selected after just one. In 2007, Australia defeated New Zealand 30-6 in the ANZAC Test. While the final scoreline has been largely forgotten, for Krisnan Inu, representing the Kiwis only two weeks after debuting in the NRL is a feat that will stay with the Auckland-born outside back for years to come. Playing at fullback, Inu went on to play five tests for the Kiwis, along with featuring in three losing Grand Finals with three different clubs.

New Zealand v Australia
Westpac Stadium, 2007
The end of season test saw Australia post their biggest ever win against New Zealand 58-0. This result was much to the delight of Kangaroo rookies Brett Stewart, Israel Folau, Jarryd Hayne, Greg Bird, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson and Kurt Gidley, it wasn't just the score line that had the Kiwis in pain. After only five minutes, Kiwi Luke Covell was forced off the field with an elbow injury in what would be his only Test appearance. However, it wasn't the only higher honour afforded to the former Tigers and Sharks winger with Covell played for Country in their 29-22 defeat in 2005.

New Zealand v Australia
Eden Park, 2012
One of the most well-known eligibility cases of recent years is James Tamou. Born in Palmerston North, Tamou represented the New Zealand Maori twice before aligning himself to Australia and New South Wales in 2012. In his first appearance in the Green and Gold, the Cowboys front-rower came off the bench in the Kangaroos 20-12 victory. Going onto play 10 tests and 8 Origins, Tamou has become one of the games in-demand players, with former New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart looking to sign him to bolster Canberra's forward pack.

Samoa v Fiji
Sportingbet Stadium, 2014
While the Friday night test has received the majority of coverage this week, there is also a double header on Saturday night between Papua New Guinea v Fiji and Tonga v Samoa. In recent years, the representative weekend has been used to boost the profile of International Rugby League. Last years encounter between Samoa and Fiji saw the Island nations battle it out before Samoa prevailed 32-16 to win a place in the Four Nations. While Fiji were unable to claim a win, they were able to provide NRL legend Petero Civoniceva with a surprise comeback. Having retired in 2012, the 45-time Australian prop decided to lace up the boots at age 38 for one final match.

City v Country
Eric Weissel Oval, 2002
As mentioned in last week's column, Andrew Ryan was a hard-working second rower from Dubbo, but strangely his feats on the field aren't the only thing he's known for. Having spent a few months in Sydney as a 16 year old, Ryan was selected by both City and Country for the annual fixture. Declaring himself a Country rep, Ryan started at lock in the 26-16 defeat in Wagga Wagga. Going onto play six times for Country including the 2006 fixture where he captained the side to a 12-10 victory in front of his home crowd.

That's all for this week, stay tuned for next weeks edition of Memorable Debuts where we'll look at the Tigers who debuted in the classic 2010 Final against the Roosters, the youngest ever North Queensland Cowboy and the first game of the man known as GI.