Melbourne Rising have had their winning streak ended by the Western Sydney Rams, who ran out the winners by 38 points on Sunday afternoon.
Final score
Melbourne Rising 30
Western Sydney Rams 68
Melbourne Rising will be looking for their third consecutive win when they host the Western Sydney Rams.
The Rising are coming off a 16-point win over the University of Canberra Vikings in their last game, which saw then take home the Horan-Little Shield.
All the wash-up from Springboks vs Wallabies:
» LORD: Steyn’s boot sinks wasteful Wallabies
» Match report: Wallabies fall short
» Five talking points
» McMahon injures ankle
» What changes should the Wallabies make for Argentina?
» DIY player ratings
» Re-live all the action with our live blog
» Watch highlights from the match
Melbourne now face the Rams in their first title defence of the season.
Toby Smith and Dom Shipperley both come back into the starting side, as does Jordy Reid who will be replacing the injured Harley Fox.
Nic Stirzaker remains injured as well, which means that Mick Snowden will get another start in the NRC.
Coming off their first win of the season over Queensland Country, the Western Sydney Rams somehow find themselves with a slight chance of making the top four.
However, for that to happen, they have to remain undefeated for the rest of the season, and quite a bit has to go their way.
The Rams have opted to play with an unchanged XV, which is highly unusual in the NRC.
The last time these two sides played was last season. It was a thrilling encounter in Melbourne, and in the end the home side took the 1-point win.
Prediction
The Rams are obviously happy with the XV that saw them score 50 points against Country, however that side also conceded 44 against the weakest team in the competition. Expect Rising to get their third straight win for the first time this season.
Rising by 10
Kick-off: 3pm AEDT
Venue: Harelquin Oval, Melbourne
Table position: Rising third, Rams sixth
Last meeting: Rising 37 – 36 Rams (19/09/16)
MELBOURNE: Toby Smith, Pat Leafa, Tim Metcher, Sam Jeffries, Steve Cummins, Ikapote Tupai, Sione Taufa, Jordy Reid, Mick Snowden, Jack Debreczeni, Tom English (c), Lloyd Johansson, Sione Tuipulotu, Dom Shipperley, Jonah Placid.
Bench: Siliva Siliva, Cruze Ah-Nau, Tyrel Lomax, Alex Toolis, Rob Valetini, Keisuke Yamada, Ah-mu Tuimalealiifano, Isaiah Leota.
WESTERN SYDNEY: Matt Gibbon, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Lolohea, Will Skelton, Vaitoa Senio Toleafoa, Rhys Allen, Tupou Sopoaga, Tyrone Viiga, Waldo Wessels, Paul Asquith (c), Luke Smart, Mau David Minute, Apolosi Latunipulu, Roland-Keni Kotobolavu, Albert Nikoro.
Bench: TBC, Andrew Tuala, Jack Payne, Tom Alexander, Jodan Tuapou, Harrison Goddard, Vatemo Ravouvou.
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.
Barely used throughout Super Rugby, Junior Wallabies skipper Teddy Wilson has the chance to push for Olympics selection after being named in John Manenti’s…
After this weekend there will be five more rounds of Super Rugby Pacific and then the finals. So, let's reflect on the five biggest…
The short weeks are done and dusted, with six more games in the regular season before we head into finals. The Crowd extended their…
The Melbourne Rebels may have traded while insolvent for more than five years, giving rise to potential breach of director duty claims for the…
The ACT Brumbies’ struggles against New Zealand opposition in 2024 has been a shock. The side is heavily laden with Wallabies and has strong…
He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
