Well a Butler double is enough to see the Vikings get home 37-18 against the Rams.
The Rams have estimated that there were 1,500 at tonight’s game.
It’ll be a confidence building win for the Vikings who came back from getting smashed early and in the end it was the Rams who got rammed.
FINAL SCORE:
Rams 18
Vikings 37
The Greater Sydney Rams and Canberra Vikings are desperate to open their accounts in the NRC. Join us on The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEST.
It was a first round to forget for both these sides but for different reasons.
The Rams got rammed by the NSW Country Eagles in poor conditions.
The Vikings, who were the early favourites to win the competition, gave up a lead late in the contest to go down to the Perth Spirit at home.
From early viewing it looked like the Rams were struggling without the influence of their Wallabies, with the side losing a lot of class thanks to the Rugby Championship. It’s yet to be seen whether they will gain any players back this week, with the next Wallabies next fixture on the 6th of September.
If they don’t gain those players, expect the Vikings to run riot. Despite their loss last week there is plenty of quality in the Vikings line-up.
Christian Lealiifano will want to have a better game with the boot, but if the Rams performance last week is anything to go by it won’t decide this game.
Vikings coach Dan McKellar has opted to shift his side from last week, with his starting front row now on the bench. It gives a chance to exciting prospects Les Makin (loosehead), Lala Lam (hooker) and Allan Alaalatoa (tighthead) to show their wares.
Nigel Ahwong is another player that should be looked at, he was massive in the local grand final, running in three tries.
Prediction
The Vikings will have too much scoring power in this one.
Vikings by 10.
What I meant to say was, pathetically small crowd, must have came out wrong :P
Working Class Rugger
Guest
As someone who is an avid Shute Shield watcher. The standard of the NRC is comfortably higher. The Rams is rostered by the two Grams Finalists from the Shield this season and are clearly finding the step challenging. Having watched the Shield their are some very talented footballers in the Rams squad. But the quality of the opposition is markedly higher. Take GED Gillespie in the 2nd half (the prop who got carded) at scrum in the Shield he often is dominant. Last night he was schooled by the Brumbies second stringers.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
For the record I didn't do the highlights video haha.
TahDan
Roar Guru
God it was funny watching Rugby HQ after this match - Nick McArdle opening with a big wrap for what an awesome game it was, when it was a dreadful, sloppy affair punctuated by poor defence and poorer handling. I know this will take time to develop, but I think the quality of play is actually better in the Shute Shield at the moment.
Mike
Guest
Well, by definition., anyone who responds on the Roar proves that the answer to your question is No... ;) You probably should restrict it also to "die hard roarers with foxtel" unless they went down the club to watch it like we did!
BrumbyJack
Guest
Apart from die hard Roarers is anyone actually watching this?!!
josh
Guest
'Large home crowd' Did you seriously believe what you said in that video ? Seriously ?
RobC
Roar Guru
Rams: - 2nd week in a row, they start strong, and look to dominate. Then they drop off - Strong backline runs, but options limited towards the end - Something is amiss with the pack n the loose - Bigger issues w/bench front row - Dropped balls in wet weather. They should have adjusted their game plan - Barry on lock, very good. Holloway too. Vikings: - Showing their forwards are a well oiled engine. - Lineout needs work - Whole bunch of forwards played well. - Dowsett was very good, played well of his pack's endeavours
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Go Perth Hurricanes/Spirit!
Speedy upload of the highlights tonight :P
P
Guest
Thanks Brent!
RobC
Roar Guru
LOL. Its an unfortunate team name, given their performance this and last week I hope they do better, next game. Or the RAM jokes will bleat on.
RobC
Roar Guru
LHP, not THP
RobC
Roar Guru
Ran out of bench players. Maybe they should allow 5 more bench players? Creates more depth :)
RobC
Roar Guru
It was right next to the halfway line. By the time they caught it, it was around metre or two further out.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers EG I hear frakking coming is next...
Cadfael
Roar Guru
No other team does? Probably not the Saffas.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time - Rams 18 vs Vikings 37 Well a Butler double is enough to see the Vikings win. Rams have estimated that there were 1,500 at tonight's game which isn't half bad compared to what it looked like on telly. It'll be a confidence building win for the Vikings who came back from getting smashed early and in the end it was the Rams who got rammed, that is going to become a bit of a laugh this season. Now the challenge is for this competition to get more exposure, well thanks for your company tonight guys been a pleasure as always!
RobC
Roar Guru
Holloway sporting an Astro boy hairstyle.
Rugby stu
Guest
On a dry track, without doing stupid last minute passes the Rams could dominate.