- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
At last, a competition in which an Australian team is a decent shot of winning!
The third season of the National Rugby Championship is ready to go this weekend, and with the whole competition run and won in nine weeks, it’s one that teams just have to start well. With just seven rounds before the finals, losing even just two in a row could be fatal for the season.
It’s really hard to pick a favourite for the competition, and it feels like it might the most open NRC yet. I think Melbourne, Canberra, and Brisbane City will all have strong claims, but I could make decent cases for both NSW Country and what looks to be a vastly improved Queensland Country side, too. Whoever takes it out will have had a very good campaign.
To the opening round games in a moment, but first a community service announcement.
How to watch the Fox Sports live streams
Fox Sports will broadcast both 3pm games each Saturday and Sunday (Ch.502), and the 1pm live streamed games (and the Friday night game next week in Round 2) can be viewed via www.foxsports.com.au, via the Fox Sports mobile app, or via Apple TV or Telstra TV through the FOX SPORTS NOW app.
But to access the streams, you will need a Fox Sports online account, which is not the same as your Foxtel pay-tv account.
If you have a Fox Sports (TV) subscription, or a digital subscription to any of the News Limited mastheads, you could be eligible for a free FOX SPORTS Digital Subscription that gives you full access to the NRC live streams. Head here to find out more, create your online account, and then you’re away.
If you created an account last season to access the streams, then you’re already good to go.
SATURDAY: Perth Spirit v Melbourne Rising, Uni of WA Sports Park, 1pm AEST
The competition kicks off in the west in 2016, with the 2014 Finalists hosting the team that should’ve won the inaugural competition that same year handsomely, after going through the rounds undefeated.
Perth have named a promising-looking side, with a backline laden with Western Force experience and a forward pack comprising the best of the young guns coming through the RugbyWA systems; indeed, several have already played Super Rugby. Melbourne have named a really good-looking side as well, with more than 350 Super Rugby caps among them. It boils down to a contest for which pack of young forwards can best serve their crack backline.
PERTH (1-15): Mees Erasmus, Harry Scoble, Jermaine Ainsley, Kieran Stringer, Grayson Knapp, Brynard Stander, Richard Hardwick, Onehunga Havilli, Ryan Louwrens, Jono Lance, Eric Vasukicakau, Ben Tapuai, Billy Meakes, Luke Morahan, Manihera Eden.
Reserves: Tom Sheminant, Laione Mulikihaamea, Shambeckler Vui, Kane Koteka, Hadleigh May, Michael Ruru, Aj Alatimu, Ammon Matuauto.
MELBOURNE: Cruze Ah Nau, Pat Leafa, Tim Metcher, Sam Jeffries, Steve Cummins, Rob Leota, Jordy Reid, Harley Fox, Nic Stirzaker, Jack Debreczeni, Tom English, Sione Tuipulotu, Sefa Naivalu, Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano, Jonah Placid.
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Tom Moloney, Tyrel Lomax, Alex Toolis, Ikapote Tupai, Ben Meehan, Lloyd Johansson, Taiso Silafai-Leaana.
NSW Country Eagles v Brisbane City, Sydney University, 3pm AEST
The demise of the Sydney Stars and subsequent merger with the Eagles has definitely beefed up the Country side, while City have managed to hold together much of their dual NRC title-winning sides.
The Eagles have named a really promising young forwards pack, with Tolu Latu desperate to remind the national selectors that he’s still around. Ned Hanigan and Tim Buchanan form a mobile second row, while no.8 Sam Ward was one of the standouts of the 2014 competition, though in a Rays strip. City will be without Karmichael Hunt and Junior Laloifi to injury in 2016, but have still named a pretty potent backline, headlined by a new halves pairing in Reds Under 20s scrumhalf Moses Sorovi and Sunnybank flyhalf Jake Strachan.
NSW COUNTRY: Sonny Suatala, Tolu Latu, Sam Needs, Ned Hanigan, Tim Buchanan, Jake Wainwright, Rowan Perry, Sam Ward, Jake Gordon, Andrew Deegan, Reece Robinson, Kyle Godwin, David Horwitz ©, Alex Newsome, Andrew Kellaway.
Reserves: Clarrie Moore, Jed Gillespie, Cam Betham, Ryan Mccauley, Sam Figg, Mark Baldwin, Tayler Adams, Angus Roberts.
BRISBANE CITY: Pettowa Paraka, Andrew Ready, Sam Talakai ©, David Findlay-Henaway, Lukhan Tui, Luke Beauchamp, Michael Gunn, Leroy Houston, Moses Sorovi, Jake Strachan, Alex Gibbon, Nathan Russell, Toby White, Chris Kuridrani, Patrick James.
Reserves: Matt Mafi, Markus Vanzati, Feao Fotuaika, Isi Naisarani, Jack de Guingand, Angus Fowler, Levi Aumua, Brad Lacey.
SUNDAY: Sydney Rays v Western Sydney Rams, North Sydney Oval, 1pm AEST
The first of the Sydney derbies kicks off at one of the nicest places I the world to watch rugby, and all eyes on this contest will trying to work out if either team have benefitted greatly from the move to cut back to three Sydney-based teams.
The Rays have a good spattering of Waratahs reps throughout, including Angus Ta’avao, Jack Dempsey, and skipper Matt Lucas, and their pack includes returning hooker Damien Fitzpatrick, who I understand is very close to signing a ‘Tahs deal, too. The Rays’ Sevens stars, Cameron Clark and Con Foley, only arrived back in the country this week and haven’t been named.
The Rams have named Melbourne Rebels utility Paul Asquith as flyhalf and Captain, and have also included former Reds scrumhalf Scott Gale and former Western Force flyer Albert Nikoro at fullback. ‘Tahs hooker Hugh Roach wasn’t named, while Fijian Sevens star Vatemo Ravouvou will likely be unleashed in Round 2.
SYDNEY: Rory O’Connor, Damien Fitzpatrick, Angus Ta’avao, Connor Vest, James Brown, Jack Dempsey, Will Miller, Hugh Sinclair, Matt Lucas ©, Angus Sinclair, Harry Jones, Irae Simone, Seb Wileman, Richard Woolf, Johnathan Malo.
Reserves: James Hilterbrand, Exra Luxton, Lawrance Hunting, Adrian Hall/Angus Ryan, Harry Bergelin/Michael Smith, Dewet Roos, Sam Lane, Tyson Davis.
WESTERN SYDNEY: Matt Gibbon, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Lolohea, Filimone Tufui, Senio Toleafoa, Rhys Allen, Tupou Sopoaga, Tyrone Viiaga, Scott Gale, Paul Asquith ©, Fabian Goodall, Apolosi Latunipulu, Denny Godinet, Rob Buaserau, Albert Nikoro.
Reserves: Aaron Blacklock, Andrew Tuala, Jack Payne, Tom Alexander, Bradford Kapa, Waldo Wessels, Mitch Walton, Luke Smart.
Queensland Country v Canberra Vikings, Bond University, 3pm AEST
In the last game of the opening weekend, the Toutai Kefu and Brad Thorn reign begins for a Country side widely tipping to be the big improvers of the NRC.
While an old bloke’s calf twinge will keep Thorn out, there’s a fair replacement in the form of Rob Simmons, surprisingly left out of the Wallabies side in Wellington this week and not even requiring his passport. Saia Fainga’a has also been ruled out, but Sef Fa’agase and Taniela Tupou will bookend a formidable front row. Canberra will unleash the young punks, with Nick Jooste and Jordan Jackson-hope given first crack in midfield, while Tom Staniforth at blindside could be all kinds of interesting. Henry Speight is back from Rio, and will come off the bench.
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY: Sef Fa’agase, Feleti Kaitu’u, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Izack Rodda, Tyrell Barker, Conor Mitchell, Apisai Naiyabo, James Tuttle ©, Mack Mason, Eto Nabuli, Duncan Paia’aua, Campbell Magnay, Tom Pincus, Tom Banks.
Resereves: Alex Casey, Ben Daley, Kirwan Sanday, Phil Potgieter, Lolo Fakaosilea, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Mitch Third, Izaia Perese.
CANBERRA: Sione Taula, Robbbie Abel, Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Rory Arnold, Blake Enever, Tom Staniforth, Jarrad Butler ©, Jordan Smiler, Joe Powell, Nick Jooste, Lausi’i Taliauli, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Andrew Smith, James Dargaville, Robbie Coleman.
Reserves: Connal McInerney, Faalelei Sione, Nick Dobson, OJ Noa, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Brent Hamlin, Isaac Thompson, Henry Speight.
Not content with taking out Super Rugby and starting strongly in The Rugby Championship, The Crowd will get a crack at the treble in 2016, taking on myself and Paddy (which won’t be hard, on past form), and a new and eager recruit desperate to perform well, the one and only Geoff Parkes. The artist formally known as Allanthus kicked us off…
Geoff
“Who needs the floundering Wallabies when we have the NRC? As for tipping, the usual disclaimers; no exposed form, no starting sides and no “Digger magic” means this is like stepping into a minefield. Or should I say a room full of bugs?
“Despite starting at home, Perth Spirit to go down to the strong looking Melbourne Rising. Champions Brisbane City to also win on the road over the NSW Country Eagles. Sydney Rays over the Western Sydney Rams. And this years’ big improver, off the back of the irresistible notion of Brad Thorn mentoring the Tongan Thor, Queensland Country to kick-off with a home win against the UC Vikings.
“Expect some good rugby to be played, and – even better – get along to watch!”
Paddy
“Alright, here we are. The first round of the National Rugby Championship.
“Having just glanced over the teams that have been released, my thought is “oh I get to see that bloke that I’ve heard a lot about but never really seen play before get a go.”
“That, if nothing else, makes me happy that there are going to be two games available to me on my television this weekend.
“As for who wins, I’ve flipped a coin on all of them. I’ll go with Melbourne Rising, because they have a good squad. Brisbane City can’t seem to lose, so they get my vote. I’ll take the Rays and Queensland Country boys in tight ones.”
Brett
Well here’s my early lead sewn up already. I knew talking Paddy into this would pay dividends, but I didn’t expect them immediately.
I too think the Rising look a bit strong for Perth, and I similarly think the Rays will be too good for the Rams, who might be in for a long season, now that they’ve finally named their squad. But from there, all different.
I have a few question marks over the Brisbane City backrow and halves, and thus will go with the suddenly very orange Eagle-Stars, while I think Canberra look a little bit too good 1-15. I am really excited to see how said young punks go, though; that could be the future of the Brumbies right there.
The summary
The verdict
The Crowd has had their say for the first round of the NRC, and clearly you guys have been swayed by the arrival of the new guy. Some close margins in the end, thanks to everyone who lodged a tip.
68.8% Melbourne
52.3% Brisbane City
78.9% Sydney
50.9% Queensland Country