Tradition means plenty for in Country circles, and the NSW Country origin side will honour the players who’ve gone before them with a commemorative jumper in the final clash at Mudgee next week.
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Country Rugby League (CRL) has proudly unveiled its jersey for the historic clash at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium, which features the names of the 1,496 players who have represented Country woven into the fabric of the famous maroon and gold strip.
CRL chief Terry Quinn believes the jersey is a great acknowledgment of the players who have helped shape the history of Country Rugby League and the Country jersey.
“It’s fitting that we acknowledge the history of Country-City in what will sadly be the final match between the two sides,” said Quinn.
“Some of the game’s greatest players have worn the Country jersey and I know our players will be extremely proud to take the field in Mudgee with the names of those who have gone before them on their back.
“This jersey has been designed to pay tribute to the tremendous contribution that our players have made to this fixture since 1911 and I’m sure our fans will be glad to see the return to the traditional design for the final game.”
Former Country player and CRL Indigenous Programs Manager Ricky Walford said it was an honour as a former player to be recognised in the final Country Origin jersey.
“As a young kid growing up in Walgett you always dreamed of representing Country and I was fortunate enough to have achieved that in my career and it’s still one of my fondest memories,” said Walford.
“As a former Country player, it’s incredibly humbling to see my name on the jersey for the final Country-City clash and I hope it can inspire the team to get one more win in front of the fans in Mudgee”
The names comprise all players who represented in City-Country games in New South Wales from 1911-2016. NSW Country teams include Country Firsts, Country Seconds, Combined Country, Combined Country-Newcastle and Country. City teams include City Firsts, City Seconds, Combined Metropolis, Metropolis, Metropolitan, Combined City and City.