Jarryd Hayne and Todd Carney will go head-to-head at five-eighth in Saturday’s City v Country Origin rugby league clash in Mudgee.
As expected Carney edged out James Maloney and NSW incumbent Jamie Soward for the No.6 shirt for Country, who will be coached by Laurie Daley.
Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus is named as captain for the Country side, making his representative return following a three-year stint in England with Leeds.
Hayne will partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves for Brad Fittler’s City side.
Fittler also named Warriors backrower Feleti Mateo in his side, ending any speculation about the former Parramatta star electing to play for England or Tonga.
City: Lachlan Coote, David Williams, Joseph Leilua, Chris Lawrence, Steve Turner, Jarryd Hayne, Mitchell Pearce, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Tim Mannah, Ryan Hoffman, Corey Payne, Feleti Mateo, Aaron Woods. Interchange: Aaron Woods, Jason King, Jamie Buhrer, Liam Fulton. 18th man: Bryce Gibbs, 19th man: Wade Graham.
Country: Brett Morris, James McManus, Blake Ferguson, Josh Morris, Matt King, Todd Carney, Jarrod Mullen, Luke Douglas, Danny Buderus, Michael Weyman, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Greg Bird. Interchange: Ryan Hinchcliffe, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Trent Merrin, Tariq Sims. 18th man Chris Houston.
