RUGBY LEAGUE
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ORANGE product Jack Wighton has been named in his fourth-straight NSW Country Origin side after Craig Fitzgibbon announced the 17-man squad to take on City in Tamworth yesterday morning.
But this year is without doubt Wighton’s best chance to shine.
The Bloomfield and Orange CYMS junior has been named in his preferred No.1 jumper ahead of the Scully Park blockbuster with a talent-laden City outfit, with the 2016 game the first representative fixture Wighton has been named to play at fullback in.
After making his debut on the wing in 2013, the Canberra Raider has marked up in the centres in 2014 and then 2015.
There’s Western Rams talent spread across the entire squad, with St John’s Dubbo gun Isaah Yeo named in his first representative side and Cowra Magpies behemoth Shannon Boyd, who was named 18th man for Country in Wagga last season, named in the starting front row.
Wighton will be joined by a strong blend of youth and experience in the Country side, with Roosters 200-gamer Mitch Aubusson named for his representative debut off the bench, while Dragons young gun Euan Aitken and Young Cherrypickers product Jordan McLean are also set to make their debuts.
St George-Illawarra rake Mitch Rein has withdrawn from the match through injury, with Rory Kostjasyn taking his place as Fitzgibbon's starting No.9.
COUNTRY: 1 Jack Wighton (Orange CYMS), 2 Kane Linnett (Port Kembla Blacks), 3 Euan Aitken (Merimbula Pambula Bulldogs), 4 Jarrod Croker (Goulburn Stockmen), 5 Isaah Yeo (St Johns Dubbo), 6 James Maloney (St Edwards Gosford), 7 Jack Bird (Berkeley Eagles), 8 Shannon Boyd (Cowra Magpies), 9 Rory Kostjasyn (Berkeley Vale Panthers), 10 Jack De Belin (Cootamundra Bulldogs), 11 Tyson Frizell (Corrimal Cougars), 12 Boyd Cordner (Old Bar Pirates), 13 Dale Finucane (Bega Roosters); 14 Jordan McLean (Young Cherry Pickers), 15 Paul Vaughan (Gungahlin Bulls), 16 Tariq Sims (Gerringong Lions), 17 Mitch Aubusson (Ballina Seagulls). Coach: Craig Fitzgibbon (Dapto Canaries).