With the representative round fast approaching, The Future League asks the question: who is the most represented conference?

After eight rounds of the NRL season, it has quickly become apparent which conferences are in top form. Two teams each from both the NRL North and the NRL South conferences hold the top four positions, and are the only teams to record five wins so far.

But is that conference form reflected in the selections over the course of the representative round? The Future League crunched the numbers for the selections in the matches between Australia and New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, and Samoa and Tonga to find out*.

Australia v New Zealand

NRL North conference: 7 representatives

NRL East conference: 15 representatives

NRL West conference: 4 representatives

NRL South conference: 11 representatives

Fiji v Papua New Guinea

NRL North conference: 6 representatives

NRL East conference: 3 representatives

NRL West conference: 4 representatives

NRL South conference: 4 representatives

Samoa v Tonga

NRL North conference: 7 representatives

NRL East conference: 11 representatives

NRL West conference: 12 representatives

NRL South conference: 6 representatives

NSW City v NSW Country

NRL North conference: 7 representatives

NRL East conference: 4 representatives

NRL West conference: 12 representatives

NRL South conference: 13 representatives

TOTAL

NRL North conference: 27 representatives

NRL East conference: 33 representatives

NRL West conference: 32 representatives

NRL South conference: 34 representatives

Conclusion

The NRL South is deservedly the most represented conference over the course of the representative round. However, despite the fact they have three teams in the top eight, the NRL North is the least represented. Considering how close and competitive these matches are shaping up to be, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise?

*This includes the total number of players selected in each squad, not necessarily the starting 17.