National Rugby Championship: Round 2 preview

The National Rugby Championship kicked off with a flood of points and almost actual floods last weekend, with first blood going the way of Brisbane City, Perth Spirit, NSW Country Eagles, and Melbourne Rising.

There was some encouraging news in terms of attendances too, with more than 8,500 people getting out to the four games, two of which were played in less than ideal conditions.

Here are the Round 2 match previews, and as we did last week, we’ve included teams already named. We’ll post other teams in the comments section as they come through later today.

Greater Sydney Rams v University of Canberra Vikings
Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Thursday 28 August 7:30pm AEST

Both teams suffered losses in the opening round, with the Vikings going down to Perth at home in the last play of the game, and the Rams learning a lesson in discipline and in the breakdown contest at the hands of NSW Country.

To be fair, the Rams also had problems with their snorkels continually filling with mud at what was a very heavy Coogee Oval track.

The two teams will be well up for this game tonight, though, with the Rams getting to play in front of their home crowd for the first time, and Canberra looking to atone for a disappointing display throughout the match last Saturday.

Both sides have recalled some quality players in their respective backrows, with Greater Sydney bringing Eastwood skipper Hugh Perrett and Western Force flanker Chris Alcock on to either side of the scrum, and with their young captain Jed Holloway completing a pretty handy loose trio.

Brumbies openside Jarrad Butler comes back into the no.7 jersey for Canberra, and his presence alongside fellow Super Rugby players Jordan Smiler and head Viking Fotu Auelua, mean that the backrow battle could well be worth the price of admission.

Both sides have made backline tweaks to their respective sides from last week as well.

Greater Sydney Rams (1-15): Benn Robinson (Eastwood), Hugh Roach (Eastwood), Guy Millar (Eastwood), Jared Barry (Eastwood), Steve Mafi (Parramatta), Hugh Perrett (Eastwood), Chris Alcock (Eastwood), Jed Holloway (C – Southern Districts), Vasa Falaelii (Newcastle), Ben Volavola (Southern Districts), Taqele Naiyaravoro (West Harbour), Henry Taefu (Sunnybank), Michael McDougall (Eastwood), Atieli Pakalani (Southern Districts), Dane Chisholm (Manly).

Reserves: Maile Ngauamo (Southern Districts), Jed Gillespie (Eastwood), Dave Lolohea (West Harbour), Dylan Sigg (Manly), Pat Sio (Eastwood), Mark Swanepoel (Manly), Jai Ayoub (Eastwood), Henry Seavula (West Harbour).

University of Canberra Vikings (1-15): Les Makin (Queanbeyan), Seilala Lam (Queanbeyan), Alan Ala’alatoa (Uni-Norths), Tom Staniforth (Royals), Tim Cree (Tuggeranong), Jordan Smiler (Canberra Easts), Jarrad Butler (Tuggeranong), Fotu Auelua (C – Western Districts), Michael Dowsett (Uni-Norths), Isaac Thompson (Tuggeranong), Robbie Coleman (VC – Queanbeyan), Christian Lealiifano (Tuggeranong), Nigel Ah Wong (tba) , Brendan Taueki (Tuggeranong), Jesse Mogg (Wests).

Reserves: Mitch Wade (University of Queensland), JP Smith (Queanbeyan), Ruan Smith (Canberra Easts) Tom Cusack (Royals), Sean Doyle (Southern Districts [Sydney]), Edan Campbell-O’Brien (Uni-Norths), Jake Rakic (Tuggeranong), Jerome Nuimata (Tuggeranong),

TV: Fox Sports 2, 7:30pm AEST.

Click here for tickets. Free memberships, which gets you access to cheaper ticket deals, are available at the Rams website.

Twitter: #RAMvVIK

Queensland Country v NSW Country Eagles
Bond University, Gold Coast
Saturday 30 August 3:00pm AEST

I bet ARU CEO Bill Pulver is looking forward to this game, pitting the two teams from ‘the bush’ against one another. Obviously, there are very few genuinely country-based players in either side, but this is still a significant moment of representation for rugby in regional areas.

Regardless of what you might think about their makeup, no other top-level national sporting competition in Australia can boast country representative teams like the NRC.

Queensland will be looking to hit the ground running as they make their NRC debut, while the Eagles are currently sitting at the top of the proverbial tree after their impressive 31-2 win over Greater Sydney last weekend.

Queensland skipper Anthony Fainga’a is back to lead his side in what will be his first game since picking up an injury for the Reds against the Melbourne Rebels at the end of June. Meanwhile, twin brother Saia will be looking to show Ewen McKenzie that he’s ready for a Wallabies call-up to replace hooker Nathan Charles. Greg Holmes and Beau Robinson will also provide some crucial experience in the pack.

The Eagles were well served last week by the experienced lock pairing of Cam Treloar and the rampaging, going-out-with-a-bang Kane Douglas, while young halves Mick Snowden and Sam Windsor were both very good too.

Good form in last week’s quality win is likely to be rewarded by coach Darren Coleman, though my listening bug in the Eagles’ camp tells me that several of their missing Super Rugby contingent from last week – Stephen Hoiles, Mitch Chapman, Brendan McKibbin, and Josh Mann-Rea – are set to make their NRC debut.

Teams: neither side has been named at the time of publishing, but we’ll post them as they become known.

Tickets: Not needed! As we reported last week, Bond Uni are throwing the gates open to the public. Head to the Reds’ website for more details.

Live Stream: We also reported last week that both Queensland sides would have their non-Fox Sports home games streamed live via www.redsrugby.com.au. Check it out if you can’t get to the game. Or do both if you’re suitably equipped.

Twitter: #QueenslandvEAG

Sydney Stars v Melbourne Rising
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Sunday 31 August 3:00pm AEST

The Stars will be enjoying the longer preparation this week, having played last Thursday and not playing until Sunday, in what is also their first home game and return of top-level rugby to Leichhardt Oval.

The Stars got out to a great start in the competition’s first game in Brisbane, only to fall away in the second half as the possession and territory share evened up and Brisbane City ran away with the games

The Stars will confirm their side later this morning, and both Michael Hodge and Balmain centre Matt Kenny were having finals tests last night to see if they will be cleared to play, after picking up injuries early in the first half in Brisbane. Paddy Ryan and Peter Betham may be out, with the Wallabies squad reconvening in Perth on Sunday afternoon.

Melbourne ran in a competition-high eight tries last Sunday against North Harbour at home, with rave reviews for bulking centre Sefanaia Naivalu. The performances of halves Nic Stirzaker and Jack Debreczeni were particularly impressive last week too, and it’s not difficult to see a long-term Super Rugby pairing in these two.

My Melbourne spies are telling me everyone came through the Rays game unscathed, and a largely unchanged side is expected.

Teams: neither side has been named yet.

Tickets: Ticket and membership options are available via the Sydney Stars website, and admission for Leichhardt Oval starts at $15 for adults, with kids under 13 free.

Twitter: #SYDvMEL

Live Stream: Unfortunately, the Stars are another club who won’t be streaming their games at this stage.

Perth Spirit v Brisbane City
University of Western Australian, Perth
Sunday 31 August 3:30pm AWST

Two impressive Round 1 winners face off in what is going to a very highly anticipated match, simply because of the calibre of players suddenly available.

Wallabies squad members Matt Hodgson and Pek Cowan are likely to get some important game time, while the rest of the Wallabies converge on Perth ahead of preparations for the Rugby Championship match against South Africa the following weekend. My ears in Perth tell me there may be some doubt about Ben McCalman playing, however.

In a further boost, Western Force rising star and Wallabies squad addition Kyle Godwin returns from a knee injury that kept him out of the back end of the Super Rugby season, while Force fullback and former Wallaby Luke Morahan returns from a hamstring injury that also cut his Super Rugby season short.

They won’t be alone either, with something of a Western Force cavalry returning to boost the Spirit side.

On the Brisbane side of the contest, they’re set to welcome Reds and Wallabies flanker, and most recently Australian Commonwealth Games representative Liam Gill into their side. Former Wallabies captain James Horwill will also pull on a City jersey as he looks to remind the Wallabies selectors of his worth.

The Brisbane players all pulled up well after last week and aside from the return of Gill and Horwill, no unforced changes are expected.

Teams: as above, neither side has been named yet.

Tickets: Ticket are available at Ticketmaster, and membership options are available via the Perth Spirit website, where if you buy before this weekend prior to the match, you can get three games for the price of two (just $30 for adults). These aren’t available at the gate on the day, though, so head to the Spirit website beforehand.

Twitter: #PERvBRI

Live Stream: While Perth are looking at streaming options for their remaining home games, they won’t have it available for this Sunday’s match.

The Roar‘s live blog: Any Perth-based Roarers heading to the game, and keen to do the blog for us? Get in touch via the contact links.

North Harbour Rays have the bye.

Get out to a game this weekend, and enjoy the National Rugby Championship for what it is.

Also, don’t forget, full match replays and highlights will be posted on the ARUTV online channels on the Monday following every round. Check out their YouTube channel, or the NRC site over the weekend and Monday.