League: McKinnon picked for Origin trial

Wade McKinnon will play for City in their annual clash with County on Friday. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon has bolted into New South Wales Origin contention after being picked for City in their annual trial match against Country in Orange on Friday.

McKinnon was a surprise selection alongside South Sydney's 32-year-old prop Luke Stuart and interchange players Craig Wing, Shane Shackleton and Adam Cuthbertson.

The halfback position is down to a race in two with Peter Wallace and Jarrod Mullen to go head-to-head on Friday.

Wallace won the No 7 jersey battle with NSW Origin incumbent Mitchell Pearce for selection in the City side with coach John Cartwright confirming Blues selectors asked for the Brisbane halfback to play the game ahead of the Roosters star.

Penrith's Michael Jennings and Wests Tigers Chris Lawrence were named in the City centres but both remain under injury clouds after sustaining ankle injuries for their club sides over the weekend.

Manly centre Jamie Lyon was picked for the Country side despite previously asking to be left out of all representative sides this year.

St George Illawarra props Michael Weyman and Justin Poore were as expected picked for their Country debuts, along with Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis.

Mullen was named at halfback, ahead of Cronulla's Trent Barrett, while Terry Campese will play five-eighth.

Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan has been named skipper of the Country side.

NSW City
Wade McKinnon, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Chris Lawrence, David Williams, John Sutton, Peter Wallace, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Luke Stuart, Trent Waterhouse, Mark Minichiello, Luke O'Donnell. Interchange: Craig Wing, Shane Shackleton, Adam Cuthbertson, Ryan Hoffman.

NSW Country
Luke Patten, James McManus, Matt Cooper, Jamie Lyon, Joel Monaghan, Terry Campese, Jarrod Mullen, Josh Perry, Michael Ennis, Michael Weyman, Andrew Ryan (captain), Ben Creagh, Alan Tongue. Interchange: Justin Poore, Steve Simpson, Anthony Tupou, Ben Hornby. 18th man: Beau Scott.

- AAP