League: Country boys come to town

The Town versus Country representative match is being held tomorrow in Rotorua. Pictured is Town's Ngati Te Paerata, right, playing in the representative fixture last season. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Bay of Plenty version of State of Origin is set to get underway in Rotorua.

The best league players in the region will do battle during the annual Town versus Country match at Puketawhero Park tomorrow.

Club players competing in the Bay of Plenty District competition will play for either the Town side (Rotorua and Reporoa region) or Country side (Tokoroa, Mangakino and Taupo region).

Town coach Doug Unuwai said it was a great concept.

"People are going to see two spectacular games this weekend," he said. "It is going to be a good [showcase] of the talent we have always produced in the Bay."

Unuwai said his team gathered last night at Puketawhero Park to prepare for the match.

He said he would be naming a final 17-man squad to play in the feature representative game tomorrow, made up of mainly Pikiao, Ngongotaha and Reporoa players.

"I have always looked at players who can last the whole 80 minutes of the game and can play well in a team, not just as an individual."

Meanwhile, the Country team will boast players from clubs such as Pacific, Forestland, Mangakino and Taupo.

Co-coach Zane Knight said, as far as he knew, most of the club players were available for the match tomorrow.

He said they had a great trial game a few weeks ago and the players were enjoying the representative opportunity.

Players will also have a chance to impress Bay of Plenty selectors.

*A Town versus Country reserve game will be played at 1pm tomorrow followed by the feature Town versus Country match at 2.30pm at Puketawhero Park.