Craig Ross © The Cairns Post

IF representative jerseys are rewards for players having done the hard yards, then Northern Pride second-rower Joel Riethmuller will finish his career with a truckload of them.

Riethmuller was this week named at lock in the Queensland Country side to take on City on July 4.  Other Pride players named were Head Coach Andrew Dunemann and players Rod Jensen, Mark Cantoni and Tom Humble.

Riethmuller is coming off a season-ending knee injury last year and dengue fever at the start of this season, meaning the talented forward is eager to make his opportunity count.

"It’s good to have finally made it and get a crack at playing representative footy, I haven’t played any rep for a while," he said yesterday.

"It’s been pretty tough after last year when I hurt my knee but I’ll just see how I go and hopefully I’ll play well. It’s another step up so it’s a good test for me."

Up for grabs for Riethmuller and the other City-Country players is a spot in the Queensland Residents team to take on their NSW counterparts as a curtain-raiser to State of Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on July 15.

Read more: Rep reward for hard man