City succumbed to fired up Country

The KARI City Origin side have given up an early 10-point lead to succumb to a rampaging Country outfit in Wagga wagga on Sunday afternoon.

In front of a sell out crowd at McDonald's Park, the hometown fans were on their feet as Country claimed a thrilling 34-22 victory.

In many ways this was an audition for a Blues jumper. NSW incumbent Josh Reynolds and Country play maker James Maloney squared off in a battle for the Blues no.6 jumper.

It was all City in the opening quarter of the match, as halfback Blake Austin scored his side's first two tries to shock the home crowd.

Winger Daniel Tupou sent the Canberra playmaker over for his first of the afternoon when he kicked for himself before incredibly tapping the ball back for his halfback to score beside the posts.

Austin had his second soon after when City attacked Country's left-edge defence. Winger James Tedesco with a break to send the no.7 over.

On the back foot and behind on the score board, Country finally opened their account in the 26^th minute as James McManus leapt above his opposite number to plant the ball down.

McManus' try ignited an avalanche of points as Country went on the attack, scoring 24 unanswered points to take a commanding 14-point lead into the final half hour of the match.

Tries to Akuila Uate, David Mead and Tariq Sims put the Country side in a comfortable position, however City hit back with back-to-back tries to James Tedesco and Austin, who crossed for his third of the afternoon.

Trailing by two points with 15 minutes remaining, City had all the momentum and appeared to be coming home with a wet sail. However, Country muscled up in defence and ultimately scored two tries to claim a 12-point victory.

The above article first appeared on NSWRL.com.au. Additional reporting below by LeagueUnlimited.com's Robert Crosby.

Match Details

Country Origin 34 City Origin 22
Venue: Equex Centre
Crowd: 9127
Halftime Score: Country Origin 12 City Origin 10

COUNTRY ORIGIN (34)
Tries: James McManus, Akuila Uate, David Mead, Tariq Sims, Jack Wighton, Jarrod Croker
Field Goals:
Conversions: James Maloney (5/6)
Penalty Goals:

CITY ORIGIN (22)
Tries: Blake Austin (3), James Tedesco
Field Goals:
Conversions: Matt Moylan (3/4)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - James Maloney
2 points - Blake Austin
1 point - Andrew Fifita

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of the 2015 City v Country match from McDonalds Park in Wagga Wagga.

Be sure to stay with us throughout the afternoon as we'll bring you both matches from the Representative Weekend.

Both sides will line up 1-17 with James Maloney (Country) and Wade Graham (City) captaining their sides respectively.

With places in Laurie Daley's NSW side up for grabs, all 34 players will be looking to impress.

For Country, expect big games from Newcastle pair Akuila Uate and James McManus as they fight for a wing position, while Jack Wighton will also be out to show his ability after earning big raps in recent weeks.

For City, Matt Moylan will be looking to prove he is worthy of succeeding Jarryd Hayne as NSW fullback, while Josh Reynolds needs a strong game to ensure he is apart of the 17-man squad to take on Queensland at ANZ Stadium in Game One on May 27.

Last year, City produced three tries in the last 10 minutes to draw the match 26-all at Caltex Park, Dubbo.

In recent years both teams have produced strong performances in the fixture, with Country winning in 2010, 2011 and 2013, while City have managed wins in 2009 and 2012.

City kick off and the game is underway

James Maloney puts the ball high but Matt Moylan is on the spot to take it.

Good kick return from David Mead gets Country over halfway with a full set.

2: James Tedesco is able to beat three charging Country players out of the in-goal.

3: A good chase by Josh Reynolds puts big pressure on James McManus.

4: TRY CITY ORIGIN
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
After great lead up from Waqa Blake and Daniel Tupou, the City #7 scores first points.

7: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CITY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan unsuccessful.
Moylan pushes the kick to the right of the posts.

9: James Maloney has provided the majority of the kicking so far for Country - he does so again kicking to Daniel Tupou.

10: Tupou kicks the ball dead, City get a 7 tackle set.

12: TRY CITY ORIGIN
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
After a great pass from Curtis Sironen, the Raiders playmaker scores his second try.

13: Great work from James Tedesco as well to set up Austin. City have dominated so far, Country with very few chances.

13: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CITY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan successful.
From close to the posts, Matt Moylan puts City up 10-0.

14: Waqa Blake is down, but is remaining on the field.

14: Paul Vaughan is on for Country.

15: Joel Thompson runs the ball on the last, gifting City the ball back 30 metres out.

15: Big hit from Josh Jackson forces a turnover from David Klemmer.

16: Intercept from Tyrone Peachy who snatches James Maloney's inside pass.

17: After a left side shift to Waqa Blake, Daniel Tupou can't hold onto the ball.

17: Matt Moylan makes a strong carry following another dropped ball from Country.

18: Matt Moylan drops the ball on the attack for City.

20: Akuila Uate makes a nice run to put Country inside the City half.

20: James Tedesco is able to force the ball over the dead ball line, beating James McManus resulting in a line drop out.

21: Mitch Rein on for Country as they earn a penalty.

22: Paul Vaughan is tackled over the line, but can't get it down.

23: Andrew Fifita is down injured.

23: He is able to play the ball and City are back on the attack.

24: Country get a penalty and find touch inside the City half.

25: James McManus has come down with a try, but the referee is checking with the video.

26: TRY COUNTRY ORIGIN
Scored by James McManus. Kick to come.
The Newcastle winger embraces his Knights teammates to get Country on the board.

28: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION COUNTRY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
From the touchline, Country hit back.

29: Big pressure from Tariq Sims forces a kick out on the full.

30: TRY COUNTRY ORIGIN
Scored by Akuila Uate. Kick to come.
A great run sees Uate level the scores for Country.

31: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION COUNTRY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
From close to the posts, the Captain puts it straight between the posts.

31: Somewhat surprisingly, Country have the lead.

32: Matt Moylan is being treated for a finger injury, but he remains on the park.

33: Jack Bird completes the set with a kick to Daniel Tupou.

34: Wade Graham drops the ball trying to play the ball. Big chance again for Country.

35: Jack Bird takes the ball inside the City 30.

35: Good hit from Josh Reynolds on James Maloney.

36: Jack Wighton can't quite get to the ball quickly enough. City 20 metre re-start.

37: Waqa Blake loses the ball. After a strong start, City have made a number of errors inviting Country back into the match.

38: Andrew Fiifta and Ryan Hinchcliffe are having some heated words.

38: Penalty against Andrew Fifita.

39: Good tackle from Blake Austin on Jack Bird close to the line.

40: Maloney puts the ball in goal forcing Tedesco over the goal line.

40: David Mead takes the final hit up and Country take the lead into half time.

40: After a strong start, Country have fought back to take the lead 12-10.

40: For the Country side, James McManus has been impressive in attack while Ryan Hinchcliffe (18) and Josh Jackson (16) have led the way in defence.

40: For City, the left side attack of Waqa Blake and Daniel Tupou have put plenty of pressure on Country, while Nathan Peats has been a colossus, making 33 tackles already.

40: Both sides are back on the field, will it be Country or City after the next 40 minutes.

40: Be sure to stay with us, at the completion of this match, Australia will take on New Zealand from Suncorp Stadium.

40: James Maloney kicks off and Andrew Fifita takes the first run.

40: Josh Reynolds gets a kick away, but David Mead is able to clean up and earns a penalty.

42: TRY COUNTRY ORIGIN
Scored by David Mead. Kick to come.
After an offload from Josh Jackson, the Country #1 gets over for the first points of the second half.

42: After crossing for a double last year, David Mead scores once again.

44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION COUNTRY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
From right in front, Maloney puts Country ahead by 8.

45: City over the halfway line.

46: James Tedesco tries a chip, but it goes over the sideline.

47: Maloney kicks it long and Tedesco brings the ball up to the 20 metre line.

48: Mitch Rein makes a darting run to put Country on the attack.

48: Possible try to Jarrod Croker, but it appears that James Tedesco has forced the ball dead.

49: No Try. Goal Line Dropout.

50: Tariq Sims gets an offload away that is knocked down by James Tedesco resulting in another set close to the line.

51: Ryan James is taken close to the line.

51: TRY COUNTRY ORIGIN
Scored by Tariq Sims. Kick to come.
Make that 3 Knights that have scored today.

52: In an attempt to stop Sims, Josh Reynolds has attempted to trip the Country forward. That may prove costly with yet another possible suspension.

52: Reynolds on report, that may rule his out of Origin.

53: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION COUNTRY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
Once again, Maloney nails the conversion.

55: City need to be next to score. So far Moylan hasn't been overly impressive at fullback, coach Fittler may want to consider shifting James tedesco to fullback.

55: TRY CITY ORIGIN
Scored by James Tedesco. Kick to come.
On the last tackle, the City side pass the ball at length to put Tedesco over in the corner.

56: A great pass from Josh Reynolds provided an overlap for Tedesco to cross out wide.

57: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CITY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan successful.
Off the post, the Penrith fullback adds the extras.

58: James McManus is able to clean up Josh Reynolds' bomb.

59: Country are penalised for being in front of the kicker after Maloney's kick bounces backwards.

61: Jarrod Croker is able to beat James Tedesco to the ball and forces a line dropout.

61: Great run from Andrew Fifita from the kickoff.

62: Three City defenders force Jarrod Croker for another dropout.

63: Great passing from City puts plenty of pressure on Country.

64: TRY CITY ORIGIN
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
Once again, Austin is over again. 3 tries all from tremendous support play.

65: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CITY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan successful.
We've got a great final 15 minutes coming up. 2 points in it.

66: Blake Austin becomes the first player to score a hat-trick in a City v Country match.

66: Forward pass from Andrew Fifita sees Country with a scrum on halfway.

67: City have dominated possession in the second half and are reaping the benefits.

68: James Maloney grubbers ahead but Andrew Fifita is able to clean up.

69: Country have the ball 10 metres out.

69: Kade Snowden is only a metre out from the line.

70: Frizell is over the line but the referee has ruled No Try.

70: Blake Austin looks to have prevented the try with a tremendous tackle.

70: No Try. Country kick ahead but Tedesco is able to get out of the in-goal.

71: Matt Moylan takes a quick tap giving City a big chance.

72: James McManus earns 20 metre restart after cleaning up Blake Austin's chip-bomb.

73: TRY COUNTRY ORIGIN
Scored by Jack Wighton. Kick to come.
After some great offloads from Tariq Sims and Kade Snowden, Country are in again.

74: If Maloney can nail the goal, Country should reclaim the shield.

75: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION COUNTRY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by James Maloney unsuccessful.
From the touchline, Maloney pushes it to the left. City with a chance to level the scores.

76: City will start a set close to the halfway line.

76: Strong run from David Klemmer.

77: David Mead is away but Blake Austin is able to bring down the Country #1.

77: Josh Reynolds goes on report, giving Country a chance to extend the lead to 8.

77: Maloney opts to tap and go. Country 20 metres out.

78: TRY COUNTRY ORIGIN
Scored by Jarrod Croker. Kick to come.
The Canberra captain seals the game. Up against Matt Moylan, Croker scores - Country win.

79: Great effort from Country to bounce back from the slow start. James Maloney particularly impressive.

80: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION COUNTRY ORIGIN
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
Make it 5/6 for Maloney. 34-22 to Country as they hold on to the shield for the third straight year.

80: Joel Thompson takes the final run of the day and Country win.