City v Country Girls: Battle of forwards and speedy backs

It will be the battle of the big forward packs and speedy backs when the Queensland Under 17 City - Girls and Queensland Under 17 Country - Girls clash on September 24.

The game, which will be live on QPlus.tv, kicks off a huge day of rugby league at Moreton Daily Stadium, as part of a schedule which also includes the Queensland Under 17 City versus Country boys clash, Hastings Deering Colts grand final and Hostplus Cup grand final.

The Country side came from behind twice last year to clinch a thrilling 22-20 victory against City. 

Country coach Amanda Ohl, who enjoys any opportunity she gets to work with and learn from Queensland Rugby League's female pathways manager and Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons coach Tahnee Norris, said "it was great to win last year, but the focus wasn't on winning or losing". 

"The focus was on educating these girls, bringing them in to start to learn the system," Ohl said.

"This is the first touch point as a representative in the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons pathway, so to us, as Country, it's all about bettering ourselves and educating the girls that don't necessarily get the opportunity.

"Some of these girls have never been exposed to this level before... I am sure they're learning heaps and hopefully soaking it all in."

Ohl, who coached this year's Central Queensland Capras BMD Premiership side, said this year's Country squad was "a great bunch of girls". 

"Some are very quiet and some are very outgoing. They balance each other out. They're all just so happy to be here and so thankful for the opportunity," Ohl said.

"They're all just so keen to get in and learn. We've been training really, really well. We have a pretty dominant forward pack so we will probably look to play a dominant forward game. We've also got a lot of speed with the two Cairns girls out on the wing.

"We've got a team full of superstars but Rebecca (Sepon) from up at Weipa is a speedster. If she gets any broken play or gets in some open space, we'll be looking for her to run 100 metres and do it very, very quickly."

City coach Deanna Turner, a former Queensland and Australian representative, said last year's loss still hurt and the team, including many girls from last year, would use a positive mindset to get over the line this year.

“A lot of girls have come back, which is really good. They know what it felt like last year…. we will be going in with a positive mindset…. we're going in knowing we can win this time,” Turner said.

“We got off to a really good start (last year) and then we let Country back in. Country are just a team that will also fight to the end.”

Turner said it would take "intensity and really tightening the screws", making sure when City “get on top we don't let them back into the game”.

“It's going to be a massive battle,” Turner said.

“I think we're just really dominant across the board. We've got some really strong runners and tacklers. 

“Between the forward packs, they're both strong, both sides. I think definitely we have more skill… as the younger generations are coming through, they're getting more and more skilful so hopefully they just put out a really good game with high quality skills. Put on a show for everyone.”

Turner said she was looking forward to watching Tavarna Papalii, who plays for the Burleigh Bears, play lock after playing fullback last year. And halves with Sienna Lofipo and Kaylah Maloney.

“I'm really looking forward to Kaylah play. This is her first time in rep footy. She's just one of those talents. Hopefully she'll get out there and just be confident,” Turner said.