That was me over reacting to people questioning its existence. I don't question the Challenge cup, really irks me!

Where are they playing this game?and next time they play it they should make it a double header in sydney b4 the oz vs kiwi test.

The Challenge cup is another comp that is not worthy of its name - the SL clubs have to play meaningless fixtures against NL clubs in one sided encounters - the draw was done last century - the next round is 3 weeks time the final is in 3 months time.

The things should be a top 8 comp from the previous year 3 rounds over a month with two weeks between semi and final in August.

Otherwise scrap it

Country won the game 18-12, both teams scored 3 tries but City missed all there conversions through Nathan Merritt.
Soward went off injured during the second half, Mitch Pearce set up all 3 tries for City. the game was locked at 12-12 when Uate sprinted 70 metres in the last minute to win the game.
I didn't see the game but to anyone who did, who impressed and who didn't?
And how on earth can Kade Snowden get picked for Australia and play Origin yet his teammate Luke Douglas cant even make the City/Country side? Is Snowden that much better.

Surprisingly, TLL was the pick of the props for mine. I haven't seen him play like that since last year, the Khunt.

I thought Gordon had to have sealed his Origin jersey with his game. Jennings actually didn't do his chances much harm either, though I still wouldn't pick him.

The battle for fullback became no clearer. Objective opinion is very split on who had the better game. Surprisingly, I think Dugan had the better game. But they bothed showed threat with the ball in the hand. Dugan showed more guile, Hayne showed more athleticism. What I thought edge Dugan in front was his combined safety, workrate and error-free game. If you catch a replay, LS14, notice how often he follows the play compared with Hayne.

Hayne still has to be in the team though. And i'm still not sure how to fit him, Dugan, Gordon and Uate all in.

My props are sorted now though. TLL, Tolman, Mannah and Snowden (and no, Snowden is not that much better than Douglas, I agree).

Who didn't impress? Most of the others, but that's not to say anyone had a shocker. The game was very clearly multiple gears below the Test that immediately preceeded it on Nine. In particular, the pace and intensity the Test started with was shocking. I hate admitting it, but I couldn't help think that's the difference between QLD and NSW. Still, as no you'll have heard, Big Gal took out Man of the Match in the Test, and rightfully so. Guy is hands down the best forward in the world now.

EDIT: And after Soward's tentative injury and Carney's imminent return, I have NO IDEA who will or should be the halves.

I think Pearce will still be the halfback and either Mullen or Soward will play alongside him.
To get Dugan and Hayne in the side they'd have to play Hayne on the wing with Dugan at FB, Hayne did get NSW man of the series in 09 when he played on the left wing. If they do that then Uate would be my pick on the right wing, Gordon has been good in a poor side this year and he is a good goal kicker but Uate deserves a place IMO. I think Hayne will probably be the FB for game one with B Moz on the wing although i dont think he deserves a place on the wing but he played in the Test which will no doubt go in his favour when the team gets picked.
Gasnier will be right centre for sure, not sure about the other side.
I think Ryan Hinchcliffe got MOTM at hooker for Country after being a late call up for Ennis. Could he be a surprise inclusion? The only thing to go against him is that he doesn't play there for the Storm but he could be a utility forward on the bench, same as Dean Young.