Fittler reappointed City Origin coach

NSW State of Origin legend Brad Fittler has been reappointed City coach for the seventh consecutive time for this year's annual fixture in Tamworth.

He will go head to head with former Sydney Roosters teammate Craig Fitzgibbon, who replaces new Manly mentor Trent Barrett as coach of the Country outfit.

Fittler unearthed a number of youngsters in last year's exhibition match in Wagga Wagga, won by the Country side 34-22, and said he was keen on introducing more new faces to representative football.

"I like going with some young blokes - I know last year we had Bryce Cartwright, Blake Austin, Waqa Blake, James Tedesco and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, all these up-and-coming kids," he said.

"What we're trying to do, from my point of view, is to put pressure on those leading State of Origin players because that's what they need.

"The more pressure we can bring from within, hopefully the better performance at the top level."

This year's City-Country Origin clash will be played on March 8 at Scully Park in Tamworth.