Australia and New Zealand will clash tonight for Country of Origin glory at Rugby Park
NO game on the calendar gets the blood pumping more than tonight’s Country of Origin clash for Darwin’s top rugby players.
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NO game on the calendar gets the blood pumping more than tonight’s Country of Origin clash for Darwin’s top rugby players.
The annual Anzac match between Australia and New Zealand is always filled with passion, and it will be no different in 2018 according to Australian inside centre Nigel Maher.
“It’s a great fixture – it’s a very passionate one that everyone wants to play really well in and show some pride in where they are from,” Maher said.
“Everyone mixes really well.
“A once-a-year rep game for everyone involved – there’s a lot of pride on the line.
“I’m an ex-serviceman who has had the chance to play rugby for the navy and defence teams.
“But this type of fixture in my home town just really drives me. You really want to put your best in. I love playing in it.”
The Aussies have won back-to-back titles and will be coached by Luke Dodds, while Les Pearson has taken on the role as New Zealand’s mentor.
The Palmerston boss said the Kiwis would play an expansive style, having sprinkled their side with Pacific Island talent.
“We’ve got a very, very strong side. There’s a good mix with the Kiwi boys plus Fijians, Tongans and a Samoan in there as well,” Pearson said.
“For a lot of the boys, it’s their first time doing rep duty and to represent New Zealand and the islands – it’s a big honour for them.
“A lot of them haven’t been home for a few years and it’s just amazing when you get together with a bunch of Kiwis and islanders how well we gel.
“I think you will see an expansive game from the boys, they do like to throw it around, so it’s going to be entertaining.
“There will be nothing left in the tank at the end, that’s for sure.”
The match at Rugby Park will kick off at 7pm after New Zealand perform the Haka.
Australia won last year 37-29 in a free-flowing contest, but the Kiwis are favourites to take out the 2018 crown.
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