City halfback Mitchell Pearce admits he’s still “dirty” about last year’s 18-12 defeat by the Country Origin side and is desperate to finish up on the winning team in Mudgee on Sunday.

Laurie Daley’s side claimed the AAMI Shield in Albury in 2011 thanks to a last-minute try by Akuila Uate, and the NSW incumbent wants to prevent a third successive win for the Country outfit.

“We lost the game last year late on and also missed all of our goals so it was very disappointing,” Pearce told AAP.

“I was real dirty about the way we conceded late on last year and want to put things right this year.”

A crowd of over 8,000 will pack into the new $10million Glen Willows Sports Complex, which only opened last month, with grandstand tickets selling at $130 a pop in the central-western NSW town.

Both sides had injury concerns coming into the game, but City skipper Robbie Farah, who sustained concussion last week in the Wests Tigers’ win over Penrith, has been given the all clear to play.

His Country counterpart Greg Bird was suffering with an ankle injury in the lead up to the game, but has trained since Wednesday and came through an opposed session against a local side on Thursday night.

Daley is confident his side can once again upset Brad Fittler’s men and is looking forward to the battle between centres Josh Morris and Chris Lawrence, who’ll be competing for a place in the NSW side.

City’s Lawrence impressed in every game of the Kangaroos’ Four Nations tour late last year, but the Wests Tigers’ slow start to the season has been matched by the 23-year-old, who is yet to cross the tryline in 2012.

Morris has been in strong form for Canterbury and bagged a hat-trick in the round two win over St George Illawarra to catapult him into contention for a return to the State of Origin arena for the first time since 2009.

“Josh has been playing very well this season and will be looking for a big showing here, as will so many of the players,” Daley told AAP.

“With Josh Dugan injured, Brett Morris gets a chance to put his hand up for the fullback spot and players like Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Trent Merrin, Michael Weyman all want to be part of Ricky’s forward pack again.

“And I am sure Tim Mannah will have a say in that for City as well, he played all three games last year and will want to do so again.

“It should be an outstanding game, I’m really looking forward to it.”