UC Vikings vs Western Sydney Rams NRC highlights: Vikings by 6

Roar Guru

17th September, 2016

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The NRC is a vital pathway, but it can't come at the expense of viable Super Rugby franchises. (Photo Karen Watson)

Isaac Nowroozi

Roar Guru

17th September, 2016

Match result:

The UC Vikings defeated the Western Sydney Rams by a margin of six points on Sunday afternoon.

Final score
UC Vikings 22
Western Sydney Rams 16

Match preview:

The University of Canberra Vikings will be looking for their third win of the 2016 NRC season when they host the Western Sydney Rams.

After a big 52-20 win over defending champions Brisbane City, the UC Vikings will be full of confidence against the Rams in front of a home crowd.

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It was a fairly even game at half time, however the Vikings took the second 40 minutes as their own running away with the game at Ballymore Stadium.

The Vikings will be boosted by the returns of Joe Powell, Nick Jooste and Jarrad Butler, who are all coming back into the starting side.

Still without a win in 2016, it’s do-or-die time for the Western Sydney Rams, who cannot afford to lose any more matches.

The Rams sit seventh on the table with just two points, one above last-placed Queensland Country.

Western Sydney will still be without Hugh Roach, but Nathan Charles returns from injury to make his NRC debut.

The last time these two sides faced off was in round three of the 2015 season. The UC Vikings dominated the majority of the taking all the points in a 58-26 win.

Prediction
The UC Vikings seem like the more structured, solid side. Moreover, they have all the momentum coming into the match. They should get the job done at home.

UC Vikings by 20

Kick-off: 1pm AEST
Venue: Viking Park, Canberra
Table position: UC Vikings third, Rams seventh
Last meeting: UC Vikings 58 – 25 Rams

CANBERRA: Sione Taula, Robbie Abel, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Blake Enever, Sam Carter, Tom Staniforth, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Jarrad Butler (c), Joe Powell, Robbie Coleman, Lausii Taliauli, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Andrew Smith, Andrew Robinson, Nick Jooste.
Bench: Connal McInerney, Faalelei Sione, Ray Dobson, OJ Noa, Darcy Swain, Brent Hamlin, Jake Rakic, Jamie Kotz.

WESTERN SYDNEY: Matt Gibbon, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Lolohea, Filimone Tufui, Vaitoa Senio Toleafoa, Rhys Allen, Tupou Sopoaga, Tyrone Viiga, Scott Gale, Paul Asquith (c), Luke Smart, Mau David Minute, Apolosi Latunipulu, Albert Nikoro, Vatemo Ravouvou.
Bench: Nathan Charles, Harrison Lloyd, Jack Payne, Thomas Alexander, Jodan Tuapou, Waldo Wessels, Mitchell Walton, Rob Buaserau.

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