However, Country will be without vice-captain Leilani Nathan for showdowns with Canberra and Sydney Gold in Bathurst next weekend.

Handed the vice-captaincy behind skipper and fellow Novocastrian Katrina Barker, Nathan was having a barnstormer before forced off late in the first half with a knee issue.

"Leilani was having an absolute blinder," Country coach Paddy Bowen said. "She was getting pilfers at key times and was really coming into her own in that seven jersey."

Country led 12-8 at half-time and had to defend for large periods either side of the break.

"We scored some early points, went through a patch of no possession and then scored some at the end." Bowen said. "We defended non stop for the middle 30-to-40 minutes. It was an amazing effort."

Peterson, Utai and Clancy were among eight Hunter players in the starting side.

"Trudi Peterson played really well at six," Bowen said. "She has been playing mainly lock for Hunter but was really effective. Her lineout jumping was strong and her work rate around the tackle was really high. Maryann was really solid. Our scrum was dominant and she had some good carries. Sophie Clancy scored a long-range screamer to ice the cake for us. We won a turnover and she beat a few defenders over about 60 metres."

Country meet Canberra, who lost their opening matches to Sydney Blue (31-10) and Sydney Gold (41-5) on Saturday before what shapes as a final against Sydney Gold on Sunday.

"The job is not over for us," Bowen said. "We have only played one game and everyone else played two. We have to back it up next week. That is our focus."

Hunter born Super W players Maya Stewart (knee) and Ash Walker (knee) are expected to return for Country.