Another year another debate about the worth of City/Country origin and rep footy generally.

The value of the NSW ‘trial’ game to one side, its clear the rep season still make no sense.

You have a 40 team NSW squad selected before the City/Country origin team is named and before the Test is played (even though Origin is after the Test!).

Then you got the fact that thanks to Channel 9’s demand last Friday’s ‘trial’ game was played at the same time as the Test. (Just how bad this was has already been disected so we’ll move on).

Firstly there needs to be a progression in rep footy, from smaller to bigger; City/Country (if it has to be played) then State of Origin (June/July) and finally Tests or whatever after the regular season.

Secondly, you need to allow these games to be played separately from clubs. Lockyear tomorrow night will be playing his third game in a week and this physical drain on players is unacceptable.

If City/Country has a place then it has to be as stand alone game or not at all.

State of Origin should be three consecutive weeks where the club season stops. It means its easier on players attempting to back up but also gives the other players a break and puts 100% of the focus onto Origin.

Finally after the club season is complete then we can see the Tests, tournaments and tours.

(Exactly what post-NRL season tournaments should be played The Sideline Eye covered last year).