I'm sick of hearing people say the annual City-Country game doesn't mean anything.

Try telling the 34 players who will line up in Wagga Wagga on Sunday that and see what sort of response you get.

Every rugby league player aspires to play representative footy and this game gives a lot of guys that rare opportunity.

It's been a decent form guide for potential State of Origin players as well, and I believe Laurie Daley will have a close eye on this year's fixture.

There's a couple of guys lining up this weekend that could potentially replace the injured Paul Gallen in NSW's back row for Origin I.

Tyson Frizell, Josh Jackson, and Wade Graham are a few guys who will be pushing for a spot in Daley's team.

I've spent the past few days in camp with the Country team and a lot of these players are relishing the chance to train alongside different blokes and under a new coach.

We might see a bit of a changing of the guard for NSW this year if Gallen isn't fit to play.

He has led the state brilliantly for a long time but it might be a chance for a Frizell or Jackson to step up.

There's an abundance of quality back-rowers out there and NSW shouldn't find it hard to bring in a replacement for Gallen, as good a player that he is. Second-rowers that can play long minutes and break tackles are a must-have.

We may also see some Origin bolters come out of Sunday's clash.

Representative footy is a whole different atmosphere.

It's something every NRL player should grab with both hands.

I disagree with the people who say City-Country is irrelevant, or redundant. It must be enshrined not dismantled.

Are people seriously complaining that there's too much footy to watch?

Give me a break.

Representative football is great for the players and exciting for we fans to watch. I can't wait to see Australia and New Zealand go at each other on Friday night.

Tim Sheens has put together a quality outfit for the Anzac Test and I'm tipping the Kangaroos to get the job done over the Kiwis.

Australia tends to get the better of these stand-alone Test matches, whereas New Zealand likes to build into a tournament.

Australia will still be disappointed with the Four Nations campaign last year as well and they will want some revenge on our trans-Tasman friends.

I said last week that Josh Dugan should be picked on a wing and I'm hoping he has a blinder on Friday.

Dugan has the attributes to play almost anywhere on the field. I don't think the wing will trouble him at all.

The way he runs the ball back for the Dragons is brilliant - he just needs to remember to play his natural game when he pulls on the Australian jersey.

It's going to be a great weekend, our rep season is underway.

I have to agree with Roosters' coach Trent Robinson.

If players start lying down and faking injury to draw penalties then we might as well start playing touch football.

Soccer players do that, not rugby league players. Our great game is built on toughness and fairness.

The worrying thing is fans on the street are already talking about it so the NRL needs to move to stamp it out right away. Please don't turn our game into a laughing stock.