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The NSW Country Eagles will take on the Greater Sydney Rams in the opening round of the National Rugby Championship at Coogee Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:00pm (AEST).
The Darren Coleman coached Eagles represent the best of the Randwick and Eastern Suburbs players with some signings from the country and a strong presence of personnel from the winning Waratahs culture in Stephen Hoiles, Matthew Carrao and Kane Douglas.
These players are all strong leaders in their own right and will look to carry the torch today.
Michael Chieka is Randwick born and bred. He has captained and coached the first grade side, so I would expect him to be in Coleman’s ear prompting a similar style of play and belief.
Player to watch is Andrew Kellaway. The jet booted winger was the star of the recent Junior World Championship and could be on his way to being the most popular red-head in the Eastern Suburbs.
The Rams approach this game with considerable gel in their slick backline due to the presence of several of the premiership winning Eastwood side, contributing to the sides strength in important combinations in the three quarters.
No. 8 Jed Holloway takes up the inaugural captains armband for the opening clash having just captained a losing Southern District team in the premiership final against a majority of his team mates.
Expect to see massive impact from world class prop and in-and-out of favour international Benn Robinson as he looks to use the NRC to prove his worth to Ewen Mckenzie again.
Prediction: Although Coogee Oval is rarely kind to its visitors, I believe that the well drilled combinations in the midfield and recent finals experience throughout the team will give this one to the Rams.
Rams by 10.
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