Welcome to a big Saturday of NRC coverage, with the final game of the day between Brisbane City and Melbourne Rising. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3pm AEST.
It’s been an enjoyable start to the National Rugby Championship so far, and with plenty of good words coming out of the ARU regarding improved coverage of the tournament, it’s looking up for the competition.
The big news out of the Brisbane City camp is that Will Genia is back, and he’ll be itching for a run to prove he’s fit and ready to return to Wallaby team contention.
The question, though, is what that means for Nick Frisby, who has been on fire in the first two rounds of action. He has been an 80 minute man for City, and has been one of their best players so far, so whether they play a half each, or Frisby moves to accommodate Genia, is up for anyone’s guess.
What we do know is that Frisby will start the match, with Genia presumably coming on some time shortly after half time.
Reading the form lines, Rising are cruising right now, and they’ve named a very similar team to the one that took the field last week.
That means we’ll get to see more of rangy fly-half Jack Debreczini steering them around the park. Combining with Tom English and Nick Stirzaker could spell another truckload or points for Rising, who have already managed games of 45 and 55 so far this season.
Another imposing figure in the Rising backline is Mitch Inman, the vice captain, who will be looking to make a big impact with his charging runs in midfield. He had a serviceable Super Rugby campaign, and is surely trying to step it up again in this competition.
In other great news, this game is going to be streamed live, and we’ll endeavour to embed the stream as soon as we have access to it.
Join us for live scores of the match from 3pm AEST, and feel free to join in the banter in the comments.
drdavebond
Roar Pro
My favourite was his comment to the City front row after a collapsed scrum that "the ground is not your friend"
RobC
Roar Guru
EG. You were spot on. Me? didnt tip. But though WBs were going to win, though a bit more than 1 point.
Brett McKay
Expert
having just watched this now, gotta say Steve Walsh is a brilliant commentator! The little exchange with the ARs at the end of the game - when he realises he couldn't hear one of them all half - is just hilarious..
Ethan
Guest
Lol @ 13:05 of that youtube video. Frisby appears to knock it on, Walsh blows it up. Scrum feed Melbourne. Frisby complains to Walsh that he didn't knock it on. Walsh replies "You didn't touch it? Oh OK, sorry mate, I thought you did." hahahaha classic Walshy, apologizing for a bad call. He's done it many times. He is a shocking referee, but comedy value.
Fred DY
Guest
Thanks guys.
ncart
Roar Rookie
Placid was great from where I was sitting (2nd row of the grandstand) - lots of storming runs and very hard to stop. Have seen him doing it at Easts many times and he certainly turned it on today - shame he was on the wrong team.
drdavebond
Roar Pro
He played well. Threatened on numerous occasions
Red Block
Guest
Hoping Jonah Placid had a cracking game. Can't understand why the Reds let him go?
Londoner
Guest
Just watched the game on streaming below ....thanks - Melbourne rising on fire
El Gamba
Roar Guru
I am hoping the Wallabies mate, they will have put in a lot of work. The boks will be tough though, ive picked the Wallabies by 1 in my tips.... Your thoughts mate?
RobC
Roar Guru
Rising - wow. City never had a chance once Melbourne clicked. Defence loose in the first half. But once the Rising owned the breakdown they owned the defence lanes too. Good scrambling Turning point: Penalty on Rising scrum feed win.This was after Schatz was deemed illegally taking the ball from inside the backpeddling City scrum City: - Ran out of puff and ideas. - Ready (hooker) not ready. Talakai needs to go back to Stiles scrum 101 - Needs to run around hills in Paddington for the next few weeks if they want to keep up. Same for other teams - Welcome back Genia. Rising: - is the Rebels continued for a few more weeks. Teamwork is apparent - Backs, backrow also too fast and dangerous. Lineout too good. - Early ruck penalties conceded were generally technical. It was obvious there keen for the BD battle - There was one time Jones missed a steal, then Timani came in and clean stole it. Too many like this - Once they were in their stride, they were unstoppable
Londoner
Guest
Would be great if roar could do a nrc team of the week........ie highlight those who are consistently performing well......
Daveski
Guest
Look I think Liam Gill is a talented player... But he's behind Sean McMahon ( and has been all season ) and probably Colby Faingaa when it comes to opensides. And whilst I'm on my high horse there was a bit of crowing when City beat the "Syd Uni" side.... Well, Uni boys English, Inman and Stirzaker carved them up today... Add NSW products Debrezcini, Jones and Neville to that and you can see there are plenty of players still being produced in the lucky State.... I will however praise the Brisbane scrum especially in the second half... Some big units there and they scrummed like it too
NRCFan
Guest
He was blowing afterwards. Love the pace of the games so far.
RobC
Roar Guru
Who's going to win in Perth, EG?
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Dave!
RobC
Roar Guru
Not a fluke, it seems Woods. Neither is the thrashing
drdavebond
Roar Pro
:)
drdavebond
Roar Pro
Thanks Andy
RobC
Roar Guru
punished