After a slow start the University of Canberra Vikings produced a great comeback to triumph 37-18 and earn their first win of the inaugural National Rugby Championship season.
The first match of Round 2 featured the Vikings and Greater Sydney Rams going head-to-head in Parramatta, both stinging from first round losses.
Following the Rams’ 31-2 loss, seven new faces were brought into the 23 with a reshuffle of the back line. For the Vikings, all eyes were on the rampaging back row of Jordan Smiler, team captain Fotu Auelua and vice-captain Jarrad Butler, rested last week and raring to go after a stellar Super Rugby season with the Brumbies.
The new point scoring system has had an immediate influence on the number of shots at goal when awarded a penalty. The Rams, awarded two penalties within kicking distance in the first two minutes, turned down both in a bid to cross the white line.
After turning down a third penalty, young halfback Vasa Falaelli dove over in the corner to grab the first points of the match off a scrum from midfield. Ben Volavola, one of the biggest shuffles to the Rams back line, couldn’t add the extras though.
The wet weather prior to kick-off was a hindrance to the match, with an array of knock-ons, dropped ball and scrappy lineout deliveries plaguing the entire 80 minutes. Jesse Mogg was again a mixed bag, continuing the form of his Super Rugby season, with some good clearing kicks and conversions mixed with some ordinary defence, loose passes and allowing an easy try to Atieli Pakalani by missing a loose ball entirely.
I saw flashbacks to the Round 1 clash between the Brumbies and Reds in Super Rugby this season. The Vikings bounced back from the two tries, their first attacking phase resulting in a try. Off the back of a well structured lineout, Isaac Thompson and Christian Lealiifano wrapped around, resulting in Thompson crossing for his first five-pointer in the NRC, virtually untouched.
Mogg added the extras, taking over from the once-sharpshooter Lealiifano whose poor kicking cost the Vikings dearly last week. Both teams traded mistakes, with many try-scoring opportunities wasted due to the wet and slippery conditions. The Vikings closed out the first half when prop Les Makin stormed over from a close-range lineout, gaining the lead for the first time in the match at 16-10.
The 45th minute saw another try squandered due to the wet weather, this time by young wing Robbie Coleman, who spilled the ball two metres out from opposition line. Wouldn’t you know it, the weather forced another knock-on from a Rams scrum and after some near misses, Butler stormed over from the back of a rolling maul for his first try.
Hardly a minute had passed after the restart when the Rams threw a poor pass, Vikings gun Brandon Taueki pouncing to receive the ball and sprint down the field. He offloaded to Tom Cusack who went over for the fourth try. Mogg added the three from in front, resulting in 29 unanswered points by the Vikings.
Rams captain Jed Holloway raced away for a consolation try, but Butler responded with another well worked try of his own. The Vikings were in a completely different class to the Rams when it came to set pieces. The scrum was unquestionably in favour of the Vikings, and led to a multitude of penalties and try-scoring opportunities. Likewise, two of the five tries were set up by lineouts, highlighting the dominance of the Canberra forwards.
Despite the scrappy play, there were a few standout players. Benn Robinson pushed for a Wallabies call-up with his hard-running performance, as did Butler, who continued his sensational year with the Brumbies by assisting the Vikings with two tries and numerous body-on-the-line tackles.
Nigel Ah Wong and Volavola also showed good promise for their respective teams, but if one thing is for certain, the attacking brand of rugby that the NRC is producing is infectious and must be encouraged.
Even in wet weather, not one penalty goal was even attempted and the combined eight tries ensured a thrilling encounter between a cast of Wallabies, Super Rugby and club rugby players. With the star-studded line-up available at the Vikings, expect a lot more strong performances from the men from Canberra.
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
isn't it the same thing? had i written the truth about league i would just get "demoted" again ..
Robert
Roar Rookie
Hi guys, has there been any progress on these games being televised? Living overseas, the only time we get to enjoy this stuff is when it is broadcast on one of the pay TV channels or the highlights end up on youtube. Apologies if I am asking something that has already been asked/answered elsewhere. Could not track anything down.
Rugby stu
Guest
Watch the country derby it was a completely forward dominated arm wrestle where picking and going, rucks, scrums and mauls were used as major attacking weapons and it was entertaining.
Bakkies
Guest
It might take a few 50 point floggings to make them cop on. Unfortunately Aus rugby can't afford to have certain trams constantly at rock bottom.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Cheers mate. Good write up, think I will be frustrated when I eventually get to watch it.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Saw that, from the Rebels to the Rebels!
Chris
Guest
Any comment on the game or just come here to slag off league?
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
Well Rugby union is now growing in Australia, well done ARU...and Rugby League is now on the decline...
Mitch
Guest
It was a great game to watch and I thought you were going to run away with it given the early dominance. Good luck for the rest of the comp...except against Brisbane City :)
Mitch
Guest
Hey Jeznez, I meant to clarify this in the article. Robinson had a blinder in the time he was on the field, the scrums were fairly even at the start. It was when he came off that the Rams were obliterated. This comes down to the fact that front rows don't get the same amount of breaks and pauses afforded in super rugby and club rugby because of the new rules, so poor Benn barely played half the match
Mitch
Guest
You've hit the nail on the head. Of all the NRC matches I have viewed, it is astonishing how many times the attack will get over the advantage line due to defense not being aggressive enough. 1 on 1 defense hasn't been that bad, it's just the eagerness to actually defend that is lacking and I don't know how quickly that can be addressed.
Bakkies
Guest
What could they offer parents? Their kids are getting in free rather than paying for a family ticket.
Charcoal
Guest
As a Ram's member, it was disappointing to see how they couldn't keep up their dominance from the first quarter. Their extraordinary number of turnovers, particularly in the second half, was their downfall, letting the Vikings back into the game. Full credit to them for capitalising on the Rams mistakes. They deserved their win. Knowing Ram's coach Brian Melrose's attitude, he will be scathing on their performance, and I expect we will see a much improved outcome in future games, particularly as they have more time to develop combinations.
Charcoal
Guest
After Benn Robinson came off and Jed Gillespie replaced him, we still had an all Eastwood front row. Gillespie, Roach and Millar are still in their early twenties, not long out of colts, and played together in the Australian Schoolboys. As anyone knows, front rowers don't reach their full potential till at least their mid to late twenties. It will be a steep learning curve for these young guys stepping up from club rugby to the NRC, but I'm sure they have the ability to rise to the occasion. Roach is already in the Waratah's squad. They will be a potent force for the future.
Charcoal
Guest
For my penny's worth, I would prefer to see tries worth 5, and all goals worth 2.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
I know mate, what I was trying to do was engineer a scoring system that gave us the victory at Eden Park. Turns out it doesn't exist :) Shiraz... cab sav, we are on the same team!
Marlins Tragic
Guest
Unless your team is in a grand final next weekend your season is OVER, so say goodbye to promoting it to juniors. Our club sent an email for the Rays but it had no offers in it for the parents, but it did say free for the kiddies!
Boomeranga
Guest
Jez- Came through this afternoon Tim Metcher has joined the Rebels (Melbourne version).
Michael Lee
Roar Rookie
Jeznez, your boys had every opportunity to win it. They were the better team for most of the game for mine, but just kept dropping the pill. It must have been pretty slippery because they left about four or five tries out there at the very least. Jed Holloway is a great player. He stands out at club level and was just as good here. Cant wait to see how he goes when he gets some time for the Tahs. He has some serious toe for a big guy.
Michael Lee
Roar Rookie
Waratahs had the best defensive record in the S15 this season. I think that the defensive structure will get better as the teams get more comfortable. Defense is about trusting the guy outside you and the structures. Some of these guys don't even know the guy outside them yet..... give it more than a fortnight.