Reward for Group Nine guns as five players among six Riverina representatives in NSW Country team

Gundagai fullback Dane O'Hehir and Tigers hooker James Luff have been named in the one and nine positions for the Country Opens team, while Southcity's Cody Hodge (wing) and Tumut's Ron Leapai (second row) are also in the starting side.

Tumut prop and co-coach Zac Masters is on the bench. West Wyalong co-coach Jake Goodwin (at prop) ensured a Riverina domination of the Country team, providing a third of the 18-man squad which will play City in four weeks' time.

Riverina Bulls coach Luke Berkrey was thrilled with the recognition.

"I'm really, really proud of the guys who got picked, all six of them had huge tournaments," Berkrey said.

"I think it's a credit to the whole group (of players). It's a really big effort considering we didn't go on and win it."

Riverina rolled Macarthur Wests Tigers first up and then beat Illawarra South Coast in a flying start to their campaign, only to be narrowly beaten by the Dragons in their semi-final in the wet at Queanbeyan a week later.

Monaro Colts won the Country Championships final, beating Illawarra South Coast. Colts had four players picked for Country and the Dragons five, but it's Riverina who gained the biggest representation.

"It just goes to show the quality of talent in Group Nine, and Group 20," Berkrey said, adding that Cody Hodge had an enormous campaign.

"He was brilliant, he would've been all but the player of that whole tournament playing on the wing and some games in the centres. But all six were massive for us."

As well as recognition, Country selection will offer a great challenge for the players.

"I think the guys will give a good account of themselves," Berkrey said.

"It's obviously going to be a pretty tough game for them and probably against a lot of experienced guys coming out of the NRL in the City side (which is yet to be named).

"But knowing the players in the Country side, they're going to want to pick a pretty strong team for City."

1 - Dane O'Hehir (Riverina Bulls)

2 - Cody Hodge (Riverina Bulls)

3 - Mitchell Andrews (Western Rams)

4 - Ryan James (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)

5 - Chanse Perham (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)

6 - Cameron Davies (Central Coast Roosters)

7 - Cameron Vazzoler (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)

8 - Jake Goodwin (Riverina Bulls)

9 - James Luff (Riverina Bulls)

10 - Bradley Prior (Monaro Colts)

11 - Ron Leapai (Riverina Bulls)

12 - Corey Mulhall (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)

13 - Isaiah Latu (Monaro Colts)

14 - Sam Clune (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)

15 - Zachary Masters (Riverina Bulls),

16 - William Wardle (Macarthur Wests Tigers)

17 - Atunaisa Tupou (Monaro Colts)

18 - Jake Wheeler (Monaro Colts)

COACH: Beau Scott

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