The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Brisbane City pip Perth in NRC

31st August, 2014
7

Brisbane City have come from behind to record an entertaining 26-21 victory over Perth Spirit in the second round of the National Rugby Championship.

Winger Junior Laloifi scored the only try of the second half after an end-to-end opening stanza at McGillivray Oval on Sunday.

The victory made it two from two for Brisbane while the Spirit lost for the first time in the new competition after defeating Canberra last week.

The Spirit led by as many as 11 points late in the first half when six tries were scored, but City hit back with Laloifi’s match-winner a memorable end-to-end try.

Former Wallabies captain James Horwill played the first half for Brisbane and provided a good burst in the lead-up to a try while Test hopefuls Kyle Godwin and Matt Hodgson featured for the hosts, with the latter yellow-carded in the second half.

The visitors got the perfect start when winger Chris Kuridrani scored in the corner after four minutes.

City threatened early but the Spirit hit back when Junior Rasolea offloaded to Dillyn Leyds who found a way through down the middle.

Perth moved eight points ahead when Matt Hodgson led a maul which drove forward 10 metres, with hooker Heath Tessmann touching down.

Advertisement

Horwill broke through the Spirit defence on the half hour, with the ball eventually spread left by Nick Frisby to prop Pettowa Paraka who crossed the line to make it 13-10.

The Spirit scored again when Leyds burst through with Dane Haylett-Petty converting to make it 21-10, but City responded again forcing the ball over with a converted Paraka try.

Hodgson was sin-binned three minutes into the second half after collapsing a Brisbane maul, although the hosts came close to extending their advantage when Haylett-Petty fumbled after a Godwin kick and run.

The error would prove costly as Brisbane scored a fine 90-metre try, with Junior Laloifi running on to Frisby’s low kick to touch down in the left corner.

Jake McIntyre’s conversion made it 26-21.

The Spirit had a late chance to level but they were denied as Rasolea had stepped out when completing the last pass to fullback Haylett-Petty.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Rising made it two from two with a comprehensive 45-13 victory away to Sydney Stars on Sunday.

Advertisement

Andrew Kellaway scored three tries to help NSW Country Eagles easily account for Queensland Country 37-13 to earn their second bonus-point win on Saturday, while on Thursday the Canberra Vikings hit back after last week’s loss by defeating Greater Sydney Rams 38-17.

close