BATHURST juniors were presented with a rare opportunity to meet two former State of Origin stars on Monday when Matt Cooper and Brent Tate made the trip into the city for a day of activities.

The league duo, who boast a combined 36 state representative matches between them, came to Bathurst as the first leg of their Big4 Road To Origin tour.

The tour is aimed at giving country kids a chance to meet some of their favourite players as well as learning from them in coaching clinics.

At Bathurst Holden the two former centres were on hand to sign autographs and have pictures taken before venturing to the Sportsground to get hands-on with the city's juniors on field.

Blues star Cooper said the trip was enjoyable for both he and Tate.

"Me and Brent went for a little cruise around Mount Panorama this morning," he said.

"This is something that Brent and I have done in the past, a bit of a meet and greet. Hopefully all the kids have enjoyed themselves today.

"These (Origin) are three massive games for the NRL. We get the chance to go out to towns that don't get the chance to see former Origin players. We love it and hopefully everyone that comes out and sees us enjoys themselves."

It's not the first time former Maroons star Tate has been in the city.

Returning for the first time since his childhood, he enjoyed the opportunity to venture to Bathurst once again, despite it being in enemy territory.

"Being a Queenslander down in Blues territory is always fun. At the end of the day that's what makes Origin and the whole concept special," he said.

"That's why it's great and that's why it's so fun. On both sides of the border people are so passionate it about it.

"I always like coming out to the rural areas because I'm a country boy at heart anyway. I was born out in the country, so it's great coming out to these towns. I played an under 12s carnival here and I haven't been back since then. It's been a long time between drinks, but it's nice to come back," Tate said.

Both were willing to offer their insight into the upcoming Origin series, though their predictions may not have come as too much of a surprise.

"It's going to be a tight series. We're going to be missing a few players in game one. We've got a bit of confidence from last year's win. We'll definitely win game one and the one at Melbourne, so it will come down to the Queensland match to see if we can clean sweep them," Cooper said.

Tate wasn't so sure of that.

"I think we're going to win this year. It's going to be a hard series, but I don't believe there's any pressure on us this year," he said.