- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
the North Harbour Rays play host to the in-form NSW Country Eagles on Thursday night at Brookvale Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Rays are fresh off the bye after an 55-34 opening round loss to a rampant, Rebels laden, Melbourne Rising and will be keen to get their season back on track at the (or at least one of the) spiritual home(s) of North Harbour rugby union.
Outside of a clear attacking intent in the opening game, not much can be read from a side largely made up of non-Super Rugby players. Although coach Geoff Townsend noted, “The bye coming when it did was good for us because we were able to get a lot more detail into the guys and we all feel that the changes that we have made in the squad will shore up our defence.”
Matt Lucas has been rotated with Josh Holmes and 19 year old Warringah product, Harry Jones, makes his debut on the wing. Cam Crawford, Luke Holmes and Mitch Lewis, who impressed against the Rising, are also key players for the Rays.
The Eagles are coming off a strong victory over their Queensland Country cousins and will look to put an exclamation mark on their early title aspirations.
A team playing with pace and utilising upcoming talent beautifully, the Eagles are perhaps the best example so far of a team of many parts coming together.
With players from the Waratahs, Western Force and Sydney club rugby, against the odds the Eagles are playing as a cohesive unit with rhythm across the park.
I’d suggest that this is the Western Force influence of Pat Dellit and Ed Stubbs, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Kane Douglass will not be seen in Eagles colours this year after an early release was granted, though Cam Treloar and Mitch Chapman will ably fill the second row.
Tala Gray was a clear stand out in their win at Bond University and, with Stephen Hoiles, will also add starch to the Eagles pack.
Keep watching Andrew Kellaway who was electric on the Gold Coast.
Prediction
In a competition in which combinations and tactics evolve from week to week, and as experience with the new rules and new teammates evolve, the extra match together will be a huge advantage for the Eagles.
Despite a strong home ground showing by the Rays, I expect the Eagles to win by 8 in a high scoring affair.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.