CONSISTENCY is finally starting to pay off for Canberra Raiders centre Jarrod Croker, who will make his first appearance for Country on Sunday.
Considered unlucky not to get his chance in the maroon and gold jumper before Wagga’s game, the Goulburn boy can’t wait to get his first taste of the action.
“It’s a massive honour for me and I’m a very proud country boy so I’m very excited to be here,” Croker said.
“It’s good to play with a couple of other Canberra boys.”
With Raiders teammates Paul Vaughan Shannon Boyd and Jack Wighton also in the team, as well as former teammate Joel Thompson in the team, Croker feels right at home in the Country set-up.
It’s the first time Blake Austin will take on his new teammates and Croker is looking forward to being on the other side of the field.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing how he goes,” Croker said.
“He’s been great for us to start the year and it’s good to see him get the City jersey and a bit of recognition as well.
“Hopefully we can get over the top of him on Sunday though.”
Wighton and Vaughan played in last year’s game but Canberra will be the most represented club on Sunday.
The Raiders skipper believes his team’s better start to the season has helped individuals reach higher honours.
“It makes it harder when the Raiders haven’t been winning over the last few years, but it is good for the boys to get picked in teams like this after having a good start to the season,” Croker said.
“We’ve started a little bit better than we have in previous years and getting a bit more recognition in rep sides.
“We are only four wins and four losses but there has probably only been one game we haven’t been in, the rest we’ve been really competitive which is good.”
With both teams bringing in big packs Croker is expecting a real physical contest.
