Two of these venues, Shellharbour Stadium and Collegians Sporting Complex, are located on the South Coast - bringing top-quality to the region.

Previously a representative fixture, that acted as a pathway for the NSW Origin team, the rejigged concept will see Country vs City matches being played in wheelchair rugby league, physical disability rugby league, under 16s, under 18s, women's open age and men's open age.

There will also be two Steel City Challenge matches between Newcastle and Illawarra for the under 20s and men's open age.

On Saturday, May 15, Bankwest Stadium will host Country vs City games in under 16s, under 18s and women's open age, while the wheelchair rugby league match is played at Shellharbour Stadium.

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The action will shift to Collegians Sporting Complex in Figtree on Sunday, May 16 for the Country vs City games in physical disability rugby league as well as the under 20s and men's open age Steel City Challenge - with the latter featuring five Group Seven products.

"Country vs City has a tremendously proud history and it's great to see the concept return to the calendar," NSWRL head of football Robert Lowrie said.

"There have been plenty of great players who have donned the Country or City jerseys that have gone on to higher representative honours and I'm sure that will continue to be the case with some of the best young talent on display in our pathways teams.

"The games are always willing with players from both teams determined to put their best foot forward.

"The Steel City Challenge games between Newcastle and Illawarra will be just as intense with both cities also proud of their heritage.

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"I'd encourage all fans to come along and watch what promises to be a great two days of rugby league action."

The under 16s Country team, featuring Illawarra South Coast's Caleb Hall, Bailey Marks (both Gerringong), Dextar Grant (Stingrays), Clay Baldock (Wests) and Jai Duncan (Thirroul), is made up of players from the Andrew Johns Cup and the City team from the Harold Matthews Cup, while the under 18s Country team, headlined by Dragons' Ben Rumble (Collegians) and Ryan Couchman (Thirroul), is from the Laurie Daley Cup and the City team the SG Ball Cup.

The Country men's team will be made up of players from the men's Country Championships, the City Men's team from the Ron Massey Cup, the Country women's team from the Women's Country Championships and the City women's team from the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership.

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The Newcastle team for the under 20s and men's open age Steel City Challenges will be made up from players from the Newcastle competition including the Denton Engineering Cup, while the Illawarra team will be made up players from the Illawarra competition including the Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup.

Country vs City matches started in 1911 with the best players from Country Rugby Leagues taking on the best players from the NSWRL premiership.

The concept was then shelved before returning in 1928 and in 1987 was played under Origin selection rules.

The last match was played in 2017 with the City Origin team beating the Country Origin team 20-10.

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