Illawarra Rugby League competitions will pause for the NSWRL’s annual City v Country fixtures this weekend, with 24 local players selected across six different divisions, which will be played from Thursday to Sunday.
Western Suburbs Devils forwards Jalal Bazzaz, Luke Chalker, and Levi Pascoe have all been selected in the Men’s Open Age Squad along with Collegians prop Josh Dowel. They will take on NSW City at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the match set to kick off at 2:20pm.
Five Illawarra Steelers players have been named for the Open Women’s clash, with Keele Browne (main picture), Teagan Berry, Viena Tinao, Kaarla Cowan, and Kezie Apps all featuring in the Country squad. These players were key members of the Steelers’ maiden Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team this season.
Played on Thursday evening, Country beat City 18-12 in the Open Women’s clash with Steelers winger Teagan Berry scoring a double and prop Viena Tinao also impressing. Read More >>Match Review
Three players from the Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup team, who finished in the top four this season, have also been rewarded with selection in the Under 19s Women’s match on Sunday. Hope Millard (pictured left), Mia-Rose Walsh, and Sienna Yeo have all been included, with Steelers Tarsha Gale coach Courtney Crawford set to oversee the Country team.
In the Under 18s Men’s match, Illawarra juniors Viliami Amone, Clay Baldock, Eden Hodges, Isaac Laughton, Toby Rumble, and Jarrah Treweek have all been named for Country under the watchful eye of Collegians coach Peter Hooper.
Jack Talbott and Leeroy Weatherall (pictured, right) will participate in the Under 16s Men’s match. However, they will be up against one another, with Talbott named for Country and Weatherall set to represent City.
Four locals have also been picked in the Country Under 17s Women’s squad after the Steelers unbeaten Lisa Fiaola Cup campaign, with Kasey Reh, Caley Tallon-Henniker, Indie Bostock, and Koffi Brookfield all set to feature on Sunday.
All matches will be streamed on NSWRL TV and the NSWRL Facebook page, while entry at the ground will be $5, with pensioners and children under 12 able to attend for free.
Fixtures
Thursday, May 4 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
- 7.15pm: Harvey Norman Women’s Open Age Country v City
Saturday, May 6 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
- 11am: CABE Under 16s Country v City
- 12.35pm: CABE Under 18s Country v City
- 2.20pm: CABE Country v City Men’s
Sunday, May 7 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
- 10.00: CABE Country v City Physical Disability Rugby League
- 11.15am: Harvey Norman Under 17s Women’s Country v City
- 12.50pm: Harvey Norman Under 19s Women’s Country v City
Words | Russ Haylock