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Perth Spirit have reached the midway point for their National Rugby Championship campaign, and is sitting on a not so satisfying record.
Admittedly, the team does have quite an easy run home, but they will most likely have to win their last four games to cement a spot in the finals.
This weekend they travel to Brookvale Oval to face the North Harbour Rays, who are a team sitting at 1-2, very similar to the Spirits’ 1-3 record. Coming off a tough loss to the Melbourne Rising on the primetime Thursday night game, Perth will be looking for a big win to boost their percentage, as well as their position on the ladder.
The Rays’ defence seems to have been their burden throughout this competition, as they have put on some good offensive showings, scoring points in bunches, but have just given up too many. Perth’s offence will need to capitalise this, which could be easy when you look at the likes of Dillyn Leyds, Brad Lacey and players contracted to the Western Force, like Junior Rasolea and Marcel Brache, who both command a backline very well at this level.
This then leads into the next dilemma for the Spirit – do they play an almost entire Western Force squad to win four games in a row and make the finals? Or do they not worry about the finals and look for depth in their Premier Grade players?
The obvious answer for many fans, especially rugby purists, would be to play an almost full Premier Grade squad, with a few Force players in the mix to lead the charge. This would make complete sense, as playing a starting line-up with 12 out of 15 Force players did not work against Brisbane City in Perth, and uncovering local talent is what the NRC is all about.
The Brisbane game was almost a complete waste of time when you look at the purpose of the competition.
From RugbyWA’s perspective however, it is easy to see why they wanted to do this.
Having Force players 20 metres away from the main supporters area is going to draw a huge crowd. When the Spirit played at McGillivray Oval, I sat about 10 metres back, right on the 50-metre line, and it was amazing to hear Kyle Godwin, Brache and Rasolea command their backline first hand.
When it comes time to play the Sydney Stars at HBF Arena, it is hard to predict what approach the squads management will take. It will most likely depend on the result of this weekend in Brookvale, and whether or not the squad’s Premier Grade players have been performing.
Another possible situation is that by this point the coaching staff has decided which Premier Grade players are the ones who have a legitimate chance, and they will play them among a squad.
The obvious standout for the Spirit is flyhalf/fullback Leyds, who easily has a shot at getting a Super Rugby contract. His offensive game is refined and absolutely phenomenal, and his defence is fine. Leyds, with four tries, is sitting in equal second on the table for the highest try-scorers.
Oliver Hoskins is another player who the coaching staff will want to step up after the departure of Kieran Longbottom, who moved to English team Saracens.
The unanswered questions remain in the hands of RugbyWA, the coaching staff and the selectors, but to make use of this competition they should be running the younger squad.
What would you do think Roarers? Should they field the Premier Grade players over the Super Rugby stars?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.