Coming into the rep round I was so disappointed about this being the last City Country clash that I was starting to wonder whether we really needed a rep round at all. After two nights of international rugby league, I'm convinced it needs to be a permanent fixture on the calendar -- to ensure the game's development, and for the sheer entertainment it provides.

Daniel Tupou Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

If the game is going to grow internationally we need to allow the so called minnow nations -- Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Lebanon and Malta -- these opportunities to come together, to pick the best players from the NRL and Super League, and compete against each other in front of a passionate crowd. I think the key to improving the quality of these games is to continue to allow players who are not picked for Australia or New Zealand to play for the countries to which they have blood ties with no fear of losing the ability to play State of Origin or for Australia or New Zealand down the track if that is what they want to do.

The problem has long been that young players of Polynesian heritag, or players who could otherwise represent the smaller nations, grow up in Australia with State of Origin their ultimate goal. The old system meant they would give up their hopes of playing State of Origin, and all the status and financial rewards that go with that, if they threw on a Tonga or a Samoa jersey, for example. In a World Cup year those rules are relaxed to ensure all the minnows are as strong as they can be, and I think those allowances need to stay.

PNG fans Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The atmosphere at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday was just incredible. The singing, the tribal dances, the colours, the chanting; it was like an English football match at times. There are so many people in our community who identify with the nations represented, and the passion they feel for their teams was evident through the afternoon and into the night.

On Friday night, after playing his 50th Test for Australia, Cameron Smith said that wearing the green and gold was the pinnacle for him as a rugby league player. For a time, there was some doubt over whether the green and gold was as important to players as the maroon or sky blue. Many in the game described State of Origin as the ultimate, so it is reassuring to know Smith feels that way about representing Australia.

When Mal Meninga was appointed full-time Australia coach, there were questions over whether anyone was needed in that role; but I think Mal has done a great job of bringing a lot of the pride back into the Australia jersey.

Cameron Smith (right) says the Kangaroos jumper represents his pinnacle in rugby league. Mark Nolan/Getty Images

There were two key injuries to Australia players on Friday night with Johnathan Thurston and Josh Dugan now in doubt for State of Origin I and beyond. There will some noise from coaches about the cost to their clubs from these one-off Tests, but injuries are just a part of the game. No one wants to see the stars of the game out through injury, but it really just comes down to bad luck.

Meanwhile, Wayne Bennett did a great job with a mixed bunch of players representing England. They played a really disciplined style, taking advantage of some of the best forwards in the game, and simply strangled Samoa out of the game. Samoa were probably the most disappointing team on the night; I thought they had a genuine opportunity of upsetting England, but they were poor, made a lot of mistakes and couldn't match England's control.

Joseph Leilua Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

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Looking forward to the World Cup, I think England with a full-strength side and guided by Bennett are going to be a real threat. Obviously Australia will be favourites and they showed against New Zealand that they are still the best team in the world. The Kiwis will improve and they'll have to, otherwise they won't feature in the final.

I think the organisers are doing a great job of taking the World Cup to the regional centres where the crowds will be good and the lesser nations will play some great football in front of a party-like atmosphere. If it is anywhere near as entertaining as this rep round, it will be an event well worth watching.