And so it begins. Six months after its announcement, and seven years after the demise of its predecessor, the ARU’s new professional nine-team national rugby competition, the National Rugby Championship, kicks off tonight at the spiritual home of Queensland rugby, Ballymore Oval.
I’m afraid it’s bad news on the live streaming front, however.
My understanding is that Fox Sports only gave agreement to allow non-broadcast matches to be streamed live very late last week.
However all three clubs hosting games this Saturday and Sunday tell me that the short turnaround time and the costs involved mean that getting streams up for this weekend is just not possible.
It’s not brilliant news to start the competition.
NSW Country are working as a high priority on streaming their three remaining home games, while the Canberra Vikings and Melbourne Rising won’t be streaming any home games due to prohibitive cost (Rising also have two home games covered by Fox Sports).
The Reds tell me that all non-Fox Sports Brisbane City and Queensland Country games will be live streamed via www.redsrugby.com.au, while I’ve not yet spoken to the three Sydney sides as yet.
The ARU have confirmed they will have full match replays and highlights up on their ARUTV online channels on the Monday following every round. Check out their YouTube channel or the NRC site over the weekend and Monday.
Regardless, here are the Round 1 match previews, including teams as they’ve been named. With other teams named later today, we’ll post them in the comments section as they come through.
Brisbane City v Sydney Stars
Ballymore Oval, Brisbane, Thursday 21 August 7:30pm AEST
The new competition has to kick off somewhere and all eyes will be on Ballymore, where Brisbane City will host the side that seems to have become everyone’s NRC equivalent of Collingwood or Manly, the Sydney Stars.
Brisbane City were rocked this week by the loss of their named captain, young Reds flanker Curtis Browning, who picked up a Grade 1 AC-joint injury in the Premier Rugby final and will be out of action for four weeks. Reds and Uni of Queensland lock Dave McDuling will lead City in the interim.
The 23-man side features ten Reds squad players, including five with Super Rugby experience. The remainder of the team comprises players from Queensland Premier Rugby, with 2014 finalists University of Queensland and Sunnybank dominating selections.
Reds players Ben Tapuai (ankle – twelve weeks) and Liam Gill (upper body – one week) weren’t considered, due to injuries suffered in Premier Rugby.
With City comprising a large number of UQ and Sunnybank players, coach Nick Stiles has had to get his team up in a pretty short turnaround.
“Eight of these guys played in the Premier Rugby final two days ago, so it’s great to be bringing that sort of confidence and experience into the first round of the NRC,” Stiles said at City’s team announcement this week. “That also comes with its own challenges, but the Super Rugby players within the squad are used to short turnarounds and will provide good leadership around the field.”
The Stars have had a little more time up their sleeve, by virtue of Sydney Uni’s surprise semi-final defeat, and coach Chris Malone has brought a decent side together.
The 23-man squad includes a number of NSW Waratahs, with Jeremy Tilse, and Sydney Stars skipper Patrick McCutcheon in the forwards, as well as Michael Hodge in the backline.
Interspersed throughout the team is also an array of local talent from both Sydney University and subbies’ club Balmain, and some exciting young players who are looking forward to the opportunity to play with and against the best of the club and Super Rugby ranks.
The Stars received a late boost heading into the first game, with Wallabies squad members Paddy Ryan and Peter Betham both released to play NRC, while the Wallabies take on New Zealand in the second Bledisloe.
Brisbane City (1-15): Pettowa Paraka (Reds WTS/Easts), Andrew Ready (Reds EPS/Easts), Sam Talakai (Sydney University), Marco Kotze (GPS), Dave McDuling (C – Reds/University of Queensland), Adam Korczyk (UQ), Michael Gunn (Reds WTS/Easts), Jake Schatz (Reds/Sunnybank), Nick Frisby (Reds/GPS), Jake McIntyre (Reds WTS/Sunnybank), Harry Parker (UQ), Samu Kerevi (Reds/GPS), Toby White (Easts), Chris Kuridrani (Reds EPS/GPS), Brando Va’aulu (Sunnybank).
Reserves: David Feao (Souths), Matt Mafi (Brothers), Phil Kite (Reds WTS/GPS), Bench lock TBC, Brad Wilkin (Easts), Jack Mullins (Easts), James Dalgleish (UQ), Rex Tapuai (Sunnybank).
Sydney Stars (1-15): (All Sydney Uni, unless stated) Jeremy Tilse, Tom Coolican, Paddy Ryan, Andrew Leota (Southern Districts), Ryan Wilson (Balmain), Sam Quinn, Patrick McCutcheon (C), Hugo Dessens, Jake Gordon, Stuart Dunbar, Henry Clunies-Ross, Michael Hodge, Jim Stewart, James Dargaville, Peter Betham.
Reserves: Jack Jones, Aldy King, Tom Robertson, Byron Hodge, Matt Philips, Jock Merriman, Jonathan Fakai, Matt Kenny (Balmain).
TV: Fox Sports 2, 7:30pm AEST.
Tickets: http://wl.eventopia.co/queenslandrugbyunion
University of Canberra Vikings v Perth Spirit
Viking Park, Erindale (South Canberra), Saturday 23 August 2:30pm AEST
The Vikings and Spirit will come into the NRC with the same high expectations of success, simply because of their cohabitation with their respective Super Rugby outfits.
Canberra have been boosted by the sudden availability of Wallaby Christian Lealiifano, who should line up in midfield. I thought Robbie Coleman might make reappearance in midfield too, but he looks set to remain in the back three, along with Brumbies teammate Jesse Mogg.
Up front, the Smith twins – Jean-Pierre and Ruan – will pack down at loose and tighthead respectively, while Seilala ‘Lala’ Lam and Mitch Wade will battle it out for the hooking spot. Brumbies players remain throughout the pack, too, with Tom Staniforth, Jordan Smiler, and big Fotu Auelua – who’ll captain the Vikings from No.8 – all ready to rumble.
Canberra’s major backer is an anonymous philanthropist who asked the Vikings to donate the front and back of jersey space to charity. The Vikings yesterday announcing that the Snowy Hydro SouthCare rescue helicopter service and Lifeline Canberra will feature on the playing strip.
Perth are yet to name their side travelling to Canberra this weekend, but former Brumby Zack Holmes has been an early face of the Spirit in launching their jersey and should steer the side around in what will be a familiar settings.
Lock Rory Walton is another returning to the ACT for the Spirit’s opening match. The blond-haired, Canberra-born tight forward was a member of the Brumbies Academy in 2010, and gained a cult following during his first season of Super Rugby with the Western Force last year. This week he was named as among the Spirit’s ‘Standards Group’, alongside Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Ian Prior, Heath Tessmann, and Sam Wykes.
The Spirit line-up is set to feature a healthy mix of local players from Perth’s Premier Grade and Western Force regulars, as the club expands the West’s playing base. Included in this are Western Australia’s four Australian Under-20 stars – Luke Burton (flyhalf), Brad Lacey (wing), Ross Haylett-Petty (No.8) and Harry Scoble (hooker) – who are expected to figure for the Spirit throughout the tournament.
University of Canberra Vikings (1-15): JP Smith (Brumbies/Queanbeyan), Mitch Wade (tba), Ruan Smith (Brumbies/Canberra Easts, Tim Cree (Tuggeranong), Tom Staniforth (Brumbies/Royals), Jordan Smiler (Brumbies/Canberra Easts), Jarrad Butler (Brumbies/Tuggeranong), Fotu Auelua (C – Western Districts), Michael Dowsett (Brumbies/Uni-Norths), Isaac Thompson (Tuggeranong), Robbie Coleman (Brumbies/Queanbeyan), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies/Tuggeranong), Nigel Ah Wong (tba), Jerome Nuimata (Tuggeranong), Jesse Mogg (Brumbies/Wests).
Reserves: Seilala Lam (tba), Alan Ala’alatoa (Brumbies/Uni-Norths, Les Makin (Queanbeyan), Dave McKern (Wests), Sean Doyle (tba), Edan Campbell-O’Brien (Uni-Norths), Jake Rakic (Tuggeranong), Brendan Taueki (Tuggeranong).
Perth Spirit (1-15): Alec Hepburn (Cottesloe), Heath Tessmann (Nedlands), Oliver Hoskins (Cottesloe), Rory Walton (C) (Wests Scarborough), Brent Murphy (Perth Bayswater), Corey Thomas (UWA), Kane Koteka (Wests Scarborough), Alex Rovira (Associates), Justin Turner (Associates), Zack Holmes (Associates), Nili Fielea (Cottesloe), Luke Burton (UWA), Ammon Matuauto (Associates), Va’a Mailei (Palmyra), Dillyn Leyds (Palmyra)
Reserves: Harry Scoble (UWA), Joe Savage (Palmyra), Chris Heiberg (Perth Bayswater), Kieran Stringer (Cottesloe), Richard Hardwick (UWA), Michael Ruru (Nedlands), Davis Tavita (Nedlands), Daley Harper (Kalamunda).
Tickets: http://www.eventopia.co/event/UC-Vikings-v-Perth-Spirit/255660
NSW Country Eagles v Greater Sydney Rams
Coogee Oval (Sydney), Saturday 23 August 3:00pm AEST
NSW Country make their highly anticipated professional rugby debut in the NRC, and they’ll be naming a very strong side later today.
Though it sounds like Super Rugby players Stephen Hoiles, Mitch Chapman, and Josh Mann-Rea will be missing this week, my sources say there will still be upwards of eight players with Super Rugby experience in the starting side.
Cam Treloar, who I reported yesterday is super keen for one last professional hurrah in Australian rugby, is in line to start, along with Tala Grey and Leinster-bound Kane Douglas, who is about as good a bonus pick-up as a new team could get, on his Waratahs form.
In the backs, Matt Carraro, Patty Dellit, and Australia Under-20s flyer Andrew Kellaway are ready to pull on the Country gold. I’m also hearing that both of the Eagles’ Illawarra-based players, Pauli Tuala and Misieli Sinoti, are in line to win bench spots, which is brilliant news.
The big news coming out of the Greater Sydney Rams this week is the return to Australian rugby of former Waratahs lock Steve Mafi. Mafi has spent the previous four seasons with English Premiership club Leicester Tigers. Mafi will join the Western Force next season, and is returning to his Parramatta roots by running around in the NRC with the Rams.
The Rams will also name their side later today, and expect it to be heavily reliant on the Eastwood and Souths teams that met in the Shute Shield grand final last weekend. Something like 20 Rams-aligned players took the field for either side, and it was announced this week that Souths captain and promising young Waratah Jed Hollaway will lead the Rams in the NRC.
Holloway is likely to form a very useful backrow combination with Western Force and former Eastwood flanker Chris Alcock, but I’m hearing that Eastwood skipper Hugh Perrett may not play in Round 1.
Out wide, the Sydney premiership-winning Eastwood midfield of Jai Ayoub, Tom Hill and Michael McDougall are all likely to feature in the matchday 23, while new Waratahs cult hero, giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is set to take his place in the side.
The Rams also want it known to their supporters making the journey east – into the ‘country’, they wanted me to point out – that the Coogee Bay Hotel is their official home away from home for the first game. If you’re heading to the game, drop in and say hi.
Teams: neither side has been named at the time of publishing, but we’ll post them as they become known.
Tickets: http://nswcountryeagles.com/tickets/eagles-vs-rams/
Melbourne Rising v North Harbour Rays
AAMI park, Melbourne, Sunday 24 August 2:00pm AEST
My Melbourne sources tell me that there’s not a whole lot of Super Rugby experience in the Melbourne Rising midfield. Wallabies squad member Tom English will most likely stay on the wing, which is where Ewen McKenzie wants him for The Rugby Championship.
Little-known Fijian Sefanaia Naivalu may play 12 or 13 alongside Mitch Inman, and my spies can barely contain their excitement when they talk about him. He was the top point scorer in Melbourne’s Dewar Shield this year with 17 tries, and apparently runs the 100m in 10.50 seconds. Get the ball to him in space!
Nic Stirzaker and Jack Debreczeni is the likely halves combo, with Stirzaker to captain the Rising, and Debreczeni seen as the long-term flyhalf for the Rebels as well. Luke Jones may get a chance to play in the backrow, with Sean McMahon not yet available after returning from the Commonwealth Games.
The North Harbour Rays – reigning ARC Champions, as they like to point out – have named a side which includes five players with Super Rugby experience, including giant lock Greg Peterson, who will captain the Rays after only just joining the side this week. Peterson had been weighing up a number of offers from around the country and overseas, but has elected to play the NRC.
The Rays also have one player with Test experience – reserve back Sam VaeVae, who has played for the Cook Islands, and has had a strong season with Manly.
“We’ve had our challenges with the weather in Sydney and having players overseas with the Waratahs, but it’s good to name a team and aim towards Sunday,” Rays head coach Geoff Townsend said this week. “All our four member clubs have players in the 23-man squad that will travel to Melbourne which is great.”
Melbourne Rising name their side to face North Harbour at 10am AEST this morning.
North Harbour Rays (1-15): Mitch Lewis (Manly), Luke Holmes (VC – Warringah), Nick Fraser (Gordon), Ed Gower (Manly), Greg Peterson (C – Manly), Michael Wells (Northern Suburbs), Harry Bergelin (Manly), Sam Ward (Warringah), Matt Lucas (Manly), Hamish Angus (Warringah), Sireli Tagicakibau (Warringah), Tom Matthews (Gordon), Brian Sefanaia (Manly), Cam Crawford (Northern Suburbs), David Feltscheer (Warringah).
Reserves: Dave Porecki (Manly), Kevin McNamara (Northern Suburbs), bench prop tba, Ryan Melrose (Manly), Kotoni Ale (Manly), Josh Holmes (Warringah), Sam VaeVae (Manly), Michael Adams (Warringah).
Melbourne Rising (1-15): Toby Smith (Melbourne Uni/Melbourne Rebels), Pat Leafa (Box Hill/Melbourne Rebels – Vice Captain), Paul Alo-Emile (Power House/Melbourne Rebels), Sam Jeffries (Melbourne Uni/Melbourne Rebels), Cadeyrn Neville (Foostcray/Melbourne Rebels), Luke Jones (Moorabbin/Melbourne Rebels), Sione Taufa (Harlequin), Lopeti Timani (Footscray/Melbourne Rebels), Nic Stirzaker (Endeavour Hills/Melbourne Rebels – Captain), Jack Debreczeni (Endeavour Hills/Melbourne Rebels), Tom English (Melbourne Uni/Melbourne Rebels), Mitch Inman (Southern Districts/Melbourne Rebels) (Vice Captain), Sefanaia Naivalu (Box Hill), Telusa Veainu (Melbourne/Melbourne Rebels), Jonah Placid (Melbourne Rebels)
Reserves: Tom Sexton (Power House/Melbourne Rebels), Tuiatua Tuia (Moorabbin), Cruze Ah-Nau (Footscray/Melbourne Rebels), OJ Noa (Harlequin), Reuben Rolleston (Endeavour Hills), Ben Meehan (Endeavour Hills/Melbourne Rebels), Lloyd Johansson (Harlequin), Joe Kamana (Moorabbin)
Radio Coverage
REB Radio will be live streaming audio of Melbourne Rising home games. REB Radio will be hosted by Pete Fairbairn, with special comments from Melbourne University Director of Rugby Jason Jones, and will run from 1:55pm AEST to the full-time siren.
There will be a short intermission at the beginning of halftime, and then North Harbour Rays’ Mark Cashman will join the broadcast to provide a five-minute ‘Rays wrap’ before the second half.
Tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=RISING14
Queensland Country
Have the bye in Round 1 but some exciting news out of their camp this week is that their first NRC game, against NSW Country next Saturday at Bond University on the Gold Coast, will be free to attend.
Head to the Reds’ website for more details.
Get out to a game this weekend, and enjoy the first round of the National Rugby Championship.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Just getting into the spirit of things, 44bottles! :D
44bottles
Roar Guru
Are you just going to change your name with the cycle of NRC & Super Rugby Rob?
44bottles
Roar Guru
Not to mention things like the Big Bash being created. The AFL has manufactured many new teams and I don't think they are a flop. (Every team outside of Victoria was manufactured by the AFL). The evidence seems to disagree with Prince Symbol. While this is a risk, it is a calculated risk. The financial side has been covered, the clubs were all given chances to push forward joint ventures to prevent bad combinations arising, more could be done on a promotion side, but that seems to be a problem in general with the ARU. I'm hopeful this will work out. It won't become the NRL overnight, and it's unrealistic to think so, but there's no reason to suggest it can't grow. Espeically after the entertainment of the first game, despite the conditions.
Funny That
Guest
A realist more to the point. Let's see how the ratings go against the NRL tonight.
p.Tah
Guest
Shows the power of Twitter. I came looking for this article after reading your tweet.
Brett McKay
Expert
Every home game each side plays, Jagman..
sheek
Roar Guru
In Brief, I'm better than that. But this is your day & weekend. Enjoy!
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Nine starters is fair enough. They did win the Shute Shield.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Prince, As Brett highlights. You're wrong on Penrith. Not only that but you're woefully ignorant on the key differences between the NRC and the ARC. How much is this costly the ARU? If you had actually looked into the detail of this competition you would have soon discovered that the ARU aren't spending a cent of existing finances. Their contribution is completely covered by the broadcast deal with Foxtel and title sponsorship with Buildcorp. The franchises involved are covering their own costs and had to prove they could before being accepted. If you are going to try and tear something apart first do yourself a favour. Get informed. You clearly are not and come across as foolish in your scorn.
Jagman
Guest
Brett, by "every game" does the QRU mean they will stream city and country away games?
TahDan
Roar Guru
"If this was some kind of competition that merged the best clubs from around the country perhaps like the Heineken Cup maybe that would actually mean something…. unlike some team called the Rams playing the Stars…. where is the passion… it can’t be manufactured and if you try you will fail in the saturated Australian football market." Yeah, you mean like how the Wanderers never took off because they had no history and are a purely manufactured outfit? History has to start somewhere mate. As a Coogee man, I'm going to be going to the game on saturday, and as soon as Randwick and Easts get their act together (if they merge) I'll be sure to watch every game.
Rebel
Guest
Haven't drawn to heavily on Southern with two starters and 2 on the bench (Apo is Souths not Wests) Pretty much a bolstered Woodies side which I suppose is warranted after Saturday. Hoping the club follows it's players and coaches by getting on board. I would not be happy if it is everyone else contributing to their development.
In Brief
Guest
A number of players have come out and set point blank that the ARC was a massive opportunity for them. I think Brett had a piece yesterday quoting guys like Beau Robinson. There were a number of players whose careers benefitted from the ARC. This is what the actual players believe, it's what John Eales and the ARU believe, so who really cares what some anonymous poster believes? Your views are negative and unsubstantiated. I loved the ARC as a supporter and hope this comp is half as entertaining.
In Brief
Guest
So sad they didn't adopt your model Sheek. Too bad. Better hope and pray that the other guy's model doesn't work now, right?
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Marlin, I've read somewhere that ASIC may be looking to issue limited releases of team gear in September to match the unexpected demand. Now I don't know how legitimate that us but would be good if true.
In Brief
Guest
JDB
Guest
Super excited about heading to Ballymore tonight. Had a great time out there for the Reds preseason match. I'm struggling to find any details on transport arrangements though. Anyone know if there will be any buses running from the CBD or from the hospital car-park like in the old days?
In Brief
Guest
The ARC did not fail, it had the plug pulled. To say it failed you have to give criteria, it succeeded on many fronts including player development, but failed on one front financial which is covered this time round.
In Brief
Guest
Mike
Guest
"The fact that the very clubs it is meant to be tapping from are pulling out ..." What "clubs"? You just seem to write the same thing over and over again, without even bothering to read the posts where people tell you that you have your facts wrong. "How is going to drum up interest if only 1 game a week is televised?" Why are you assuming that the NRC plans to only ever have 1 game a week televised? "Are you saying if a fringe wallaby sustains an ACL injury it will be worth it playing in a game that hardly anyone i watching ..." Oh please, on that basis no club rugby would ever be played. Nor would even super rugby be played. We do lose players through injuries in both club and super rugby, and somehow life still goes on. :) "particularaly if there is no TV audience" I will ask it again, although you never answer: Why are you assuming that (a) there is no TV audience even now (what the heck am I going to be watching in a few hours time?); and (b) there will be no TV audience in future? "and theres only so much we can ask the sporting lovers to give…" Rubbish. If you don't ask people to commit to a rugby team, they won't do it. If you do, they might. "you can’t market it and there are already too many teams for people in this country to be passionate about." You don't know the first thing about sporting passion, that much is obvious, if you think this. People who commit to a club do not care what other clubs or codes are in the country. And whether they commit to a club depends as much on grass roots work by the club as anything else. "No one is going to care if the rams beat he stars or whatever if its not even on TV." Here we go again, yet more of your assertions. Why are you so afraid of letting the public show that? I have no idea what is going to happen tonight, nor do I know what is going to happen over the season, but I am looking forward to finding out. But I am not interested in assertions by someone who has no objective basis for making those assertions. "I mentioned in my office the other day… tumbleweed and crickets!" I wouldn't expect much else, frankly. Not a single game has been played yet, and its only in the last few days that papers like the Daily Telegraph in Sydney have even mentioned it. Full marks for making the attempt, but I wouldn't flog a dead horse. You may well start to get reactions later in the comp. "What do we need it for when we are so strong at super xv and international level. thats what is going to create interest in rugby." I suggest it is very clear that the opposite is the case. Interest in rugby has declined over several years, despite the Wallabies being in the top 3 throughout, and despite the Reds winning S15 in 2011. "this is too much of a risk for us to fall flat on our face once again as the ARC which would undo alot of good work since then." What risk? You aren't making sense here - even if the NRC fails, that won't hurt either S15 or the Wallabies. The ARU is risking very little with this venture. "