A large contingent of Sharks players have been selected to take part in the various representative matches being played this coming weekend, led by Paul Gallen who has again been named in the Kangaroo squad for the Anzac Test at against the Kiwis.
While Gallen’s selection was predictable, the omission of Andrew Fifita from the Australian team was a surprise to many, with the Sharks front rower selected to play for City in the City v Country Origin match in Dubbo on Sunday.
Fifita played a leading role in the Kangaroos recent World Cup triumph in the UK in November and as an incumbent, was expected to retain his place in the Australian squad.
Other Sharks named for the City-Country match included Wade Graham (City) and Michael Gordon (Country), although Gordon has since been ruled out of the game with a knee problem.
Gordon has carried a knee injury into the last few Sharks games and aggravated the problem in the win over the Panthers. The Sharks were however hopeful of having him on deck for their next match which is on Monday, May 12 against the Parramatta Eels.
Other Sharks players on show this weekend include Sam Tagataese and Ricky Leutele, along with youngsters Fa’amanu Brown and Penani Manumalealii who will represent Samoa, while Junior Roqica has been chosen to play for Fiji in the Samoa v Fiji test match.
In addition to the senior rep games, Sharks NYC fullback Valentine Holmes, who is originally from Townsville, will play for Queensland in the Under 20’s State of Origin match this weekend. Holmes has been outstanding for the NYC Sharks this year and is amongst the competitions' leading try and pointscorers through the first eight rounds.
The representative weekend will see the Australia v New Zealand Anzac Test played on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, the Pacific Test between Fiji-Bati and Toa Samoa on Saturday night at Sportingbet Stadium, with the City-Country Origin game to be contested in Dubbo on Sunday.
The under 20’s Origin match will be the curtain-raiser to the Fiji-Samoa game on Saturday at Sportingbet.
