Blues and Jillaroos teammates Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis set for City-Country collision course

Last time they clashed Dragons, Blues and Jillaroos teammates Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis made a pact not to take each other on. Now, all bets are off.

DAILY TELEGRAPH – Pictured is Brad Fittler at the NSWRL City-Country Women's training session at Sydney Olympic Park today. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Usually we have to wait until State of Origin to see mate against mate, but that’s exactly what we’ll get in the women’s City-Country clash on Saturday.

Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis are teammates for Helensburgh, St George Illawarra, New South Wales and Australia but this time they’re on opposite sides of the revamped clash that promises to blow the roof off Bankwest Stadium.

“We made a pact a few years ago at our first national championship not to run at each other,” said Sergis, who will line up at centre for City.

“We made the final and got halfway through the game without tackling each other but we broke it in the second half, she was marking me up.

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They are friendly off the field, but there will be no holding back for NRWL stars Kezzie Apps and Jess Sergis in the City-Country clash. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“We made the pact again this year but I think while we’re out there we’ll just want to prove to each other who’s the better player. You always want to put one over your mates, and I’ll definitely be trying to put one on Kezie.

“Kez did get the first shot, she lined me up, but I got her back. It’s 1-all at the moment, we’ll see the winner on Saturday.”

According to Apps not only did Sergis get the better of her last time, there will be no pact at all when Country and City collide as part of a revamp of the concept.

“Apps is coming out on top. There’s no pacts anymore, she broke the pact last time so all bets are off. If she comes my way I’m putting a big shot on her,” Apps said.

“She beat me last time we played each other, I think it’s 1-nil to Jess so I have to get one back on her.”

In contrast to the men’s City-Country match, which was axed in 2017 after years of NRL clubs withdrawing their players, both women’s sides boast plenty of top line talent.

Roosters star Corban McGregor, Dragons flyer Botille Vette-Welsh and Jillaroos mainstay Simaima Taufa will all line up for City while Country will have Blues tyro Hannah Southwell lining up in the backrow alongside Apps.

And while the match shapes as a genuine selection trial for the State of Origin clash on the Sunshine Coast next month, it’s also an opportunity for new stars to emerge.

Both teams are really strong, it’ll be a good level of skill, and I think it’ll give a lot of the younger girls who haven’t had a chance on the big stage to show what they’ve got,” Sergis said.

Brad Fittler at the NSWRL City-Country Women's training session at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“There’s a girl debuting for Country named Rachel Pearson, she plays with us at Helensburgh, she’s played awesome the last few years and she’s got a shot.

“She’s never even been to Bankwest, for her to play there on Saturday and experience a three-day camp, it’s a big step. It’s a great thing for girls to experience.

“Some of the girls haven’t played in an actual stadium before and just having the opportunity to represent City is a big deal.”

As a proud Bega product, Apps believes providing more pathways for country-based players can only strengthen the game as a whole, especially with the impending expansion of the NRLW.

“It’s a huge honour to be able to represent where you come from as the country bumpkins that we are,” Apps said.

“The men don’t get to play City-Country anymore, I know it would mean a lot to them if they could, but I’m so glad we get and we get another game to showcase the women’s talent.

“There are so many talented females and males out in the country that don’t get the opportunity as people in the city. I’m so proud to be a country gal.”

There will also be Under 16s, Under 18s, Men’s Open, Wheelchair and Physical Disability City-Country matches played over the weekend, as well as a Steel City challenge between Illawarra and Newcastle representative sides.

City-Country return just right said Fred

On the same day that Brad Fittler declared James Tedesco would retain the NSW Origin fullback jersey, the Blues coach stood smiling for another reason.

Taking over a training session of the NSW Country and NSW City women’s teams, Fittler’s presence as the State of Origin coach demonstrated just how far the women’s game has come.

“And it’s only getting bigger and better,’’ Fittler said.

City-Country Origin is back.

“Without a doubt, the involvement of more girls and women in touch football and League Tag influence, is a huge thing for the growth of the game and how they move the ball and just how fit they are.

“The progression is through the roof.

“I think we all assume that girls don’t like the contact and collision, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth.

“They love it and they love the camaraderie. They arguably have more fun than the blokes.”

Fittler gives some tips to members of the NSW Country and NSW City women’s teams. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Fittler will select his team for Origin I in 18-days.

He said he would reserve judgment on every position – except fullback, admitting in-form Manly star Tom Trbojevic would be used either on the wing or at centre.

“I think Teddy (Tedesco) will be there (fullback),” Fittler said.

“He’s done an incredible job for us at fullback. He’s a big part of what we do and so I think it would be silly to move him out of there.”

Originally published as Blues and Jillaroos teammates Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis set for City-Country collision course