“It’s redundant, a waste of time” is a common one, while some will have you believe it’s not a real Origin trial.

In the words of the great Australian tow-truck driver and part-time philosopher, Darryl Kerrigan, “tell em their dreaming”.

It’s not what it was but there’s still a place for it on the calendar.

I was reminded of this when talking with Kurt Gidley about his selection in the Australian team.

He spoke with passion about how special a time it is to earn a spot in any rep team and said his first rep jumper was a NSW Country jersey.

He’s since squeezed in blue ones, several green and golds and even an all-star jersey but that first one will remain forever special.

A quick look at the squads and you can only wonder if Lachlan Coote and Josh Dugan will embark on a similar rep duty to Gidley.

There’s also a fair collection of others who are glad to be there just to prove a point.

If they weren’t miffed about missing Australian team selection, then they have a chance to show selectors what they missed.

Michael Jennings must have been close to finding his way into the test team; so too Keith Galloway.

Ben Creagh’s form with the Dragon’s outfit must have had him close, so too Glenn Stewart and Anthony Laffranchi.

There’s a batch of come-back kings like Anthony Minichiello, Willie Mason and Todd Carney.

If you need convincing the City versus Country match is a genuine Origin trial, look no further than the clash of the hookers.

Following the long list of famous rivalries of the rakes, Michael Ennis and Robbie Farah are living up to past greats.

It’s simple; Farah was the Blues hooker in game one last year, by game three, Ennis was – Farah wants it back and Friday night will play a big role in deciding who gets it.

Yes siree there are plenty of reasons why City versus Country should remain firmly planted on the calendar and I reckon this one will long live in the memory of Luke Burt too.

After debut in first grade at 17 years and nine months in 1999, he has earned his first rep jumper and who could deny him that.