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The Perth Spirit have secured a thrilling 28-23 win in Canberra against the Vikings on Saturday afternoon.
After holding a 13-0 half time lead, the Spirit were put under strong pressure in the second half that saw the Vikings take a 13-15 lead with 15 minutes left in the match.
A gripping finish saw the home side sacrifice a 23-21 lead with 4 minutes remaining, as the Spirit rallied late and notched up their first NRC win.
FINAL SCORE:
Perth 28
Canberra 23
The Canberra Vikings will take on the Perth Spirit at Viking Park, Canberra in the opening round of the National Rugby Championship. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:30pm (AEST).
After a thrilling start to the NRC that saw Brisbane City take the shine out of the Sydney Stars. While City went into the halftime break behind it didn’t take them long to regather and run out 20-45 victors.
The Vikings and Spirit will come into the NRC with the same high expectations of success, simply because of their cohabitation with and success of their respective Super Rugby outfits.
The Spirit have handed a number of locals a crack at professional rugby, naming 16 players from Western Australian premier grade clubs.
Former Brumby Zack Holmes has been an early face of the Spirit in launching their jersey and should steer the side around in what will be a familiar setting.
Lock Rory Walton is another returning to the ACT for the Spirit’s opening match. The blond-haired, Canberra-born tight forward was a member of the Brumbies Academy in 2010, and gained a cult following during his first season of Super Rugby with the Western Force last year.
This week he was named as among the Spirit’s ‘standards group’, alongside Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Ian Prior, Heath Tessmann, and Sam Wykes.
Canberra have been boosted by the sudden availability of Wallaby Christian Lealiifano, who will line up in midfield. Robbie Coleman will feature slightly outside of his favoured centre position, instead remaining on the wing.
Wallabies and Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg will also feature in the back three.
Up front, the Smith twins – Jean-Pierre and Ruan – will pack down at loose and tighthead prop, while Mitch Wade got the nod on Seilala ‘Lala’ Lam for the hooking spot. Brumbies players remain throughout the pack, too, with Tom Staniforth, Jordan Smiler, and big Fotu Auelua – who’ll captain the Vikings from No. 8.
In an act of philanthropic generosity, Canberra’s anonymous major backer has asked the Vikings to donate the front and back of jersey space to charity. During the week the Vikings announced that Lifeline Canberra and the Snowy Hydro SouthCare rescue helicopter serive will feature front and back of the jersey respectively.
With the Vikings strong backline and home-side advantage the side will justifiably head into the game as favourites, but Perth will present a formidable challenge.
Join The Roar for live score updates from 2:30pm (AEST).