In the final game of the Pasifika Round of the NRC, the Sydney Rays host Brisbane City. Join The Roar for a match preview and live score updates of the crucial match.
Brisbane and Sydney are sitting seventh and eighth on the ladder respectively, and while its an uphill battle for the Rays, City can still reach the finals with victories in the final four rounds.
The Rays have had a rough season, there are no two ways about it. The injury list is now borderline ridiculous and the squad have been scrambling for starting calibre players (especially at halfback) for weeks.
Despite this, the Sydney men have put in some admirable performances, and could have had a chance to win the competition this year, had things gone their way.
Last week the Rays were outlasted by NSW Country in Goulburn and lost the game 26-17.
Latu Latunipulu has had a standout season for the Rays and should continue his great form. The livewire winger has a great finishing ability and can create plenty of opportunities. Look for him at the time when the game is on the line.
As mentioned above, Brisbane City isn’t quite out of finals contention and will look to muster a strong run of games to the end of the season.
They were comprehensively beaten by the Spirit at Perth last weekend but should put on a much stronger performance against a weakened Rays outfit.
Leading the time from flyhalf, Quade Cooper has garnered all of the attention this season and deservedly so. Cooper has done an admirable job directing the attack with his typical flair, last week he 44 metres including a clean break and 2 offloads. Coopers defensive remains a liability though, missing the most amount tackles of the competition.
Prediction
Another game that could really go either way (though, at NRC, they all can), it is a case of now or never for Brisbane City. Meanwhile, the injury toll on the Rays is ever present and that may restrict the influence of their dangerous backline. While Brisbane might look better on paper, I’ll go with the underdogs for this one.
Rays to win: 33-20
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