With Melbourne Rising still unbeaten after four rounds and now a bonus-point win clear of the chasing pack, it is hard to imagine them not playing in – or even hosting – one of the inaugural National Rugby Championship semi-finals.
The Melbourne juggernaut kicked off Round 4 on Thursday night with another crushing win. They’re now averaging eight tries and a winning margin of 33 points per game. It’s some start to the competition.
And yes, they’re running in tries for fun, and many of them from a distance, but anyone who’s watched them play know that they’re also the most dominant breakdown and set piece team in the competition. For all the comparisons of NRC rugby to Twenty20 cricket, the Rising are winning well because they’re the best exponents of the fundamentals of rugby in this competition. It’s that simple.
NSW Country’s unbeaten run ended at the hands of Brisbane City in Lismore yesterday, but they’ve still been an impressive team who I expect to make the final four. It will take a real collapse in form for them to miss out.
The resurgence of the Greater Sydney Rams is encouraging, because the early rounds were all looking like the Sydney-based teams would struggle, relative to the more Super Rugby player-laden NRC squads around the competition.
It’s taken them four games, but the Rams have finally found their defensive groove to go with an attack that always looked likely. They scored some wonderful counter-attacking tries on Saturday in their win over the Stars, but were able to back that up with some excellent second-half defence.
And while on the subject of the Rams, full credit to them for taking a punt on the BAR TV Sports streaming platform. Yes, the accents were thick, and some of the name pronunciation was wide of the mark, but Pete Jolly and Gareth Wasik’s commentary was as entertaining.
The game, and the production – with graphics, replays, and ref’s audio piped in – was absolutely bang on. It was exactly what the NRC needs.
If there’s one thing I’d really like to happen this morning, it’s for BAR TV’s phone to ring with an invitation to cover more games, be that from the Rams at least, or even better, from the NRC as a whole.
Melbourne Rising 44 defeated Perth Spirit 24, at AAMI Park, Melbourne. Crowd: 2097
A first half grind in Melbourne last Thursday night made way for a second half blitz from the home side. Perth opened the scoring off the back of a scrum, and though it took a good twenty or so minutes for the Melbourne forwards to click into gear, by halftime they’d established the platform to lead 18-8.
Perth again scored first in the second half, and highlighted the importance of kicking conversions by bringing the margin back to two points. Lopeti Timani scored his second try for the night, from a pushover scrum. When Cadeyrn Neville broke through and strolled over, the sound you could hear in the background was of straining floodgates.
Melbourne scored three more tries to run away with the game and secure the 44-24 win, but only kicked 3/7 conversions for the game. I suppose when you’re winning this well, it’s not so bad, but the Rising will find themselves in a situation in the coming rounds where goal kicking becomes crucial.
Worthy mention: I couldn’t go past Sean McMahon, who for the second week in a row showed his worth on the openside flank. Melbourne had good payers across the park, to be fair, but McMahon was the standout for mine.
Greater Sydney Rams 47 defeated Sydney Stars 18, at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta. Crowd: 1063
Anyone who tuned into BAR TV Sports’ excellent live stream, or indeed, were part of the crowd that sounded so much bigger than it evidently was at this game, would’ve been treated to the Rams finally getting the mix of opportunistic counter-attacking and stoic defence.
The Rams went at nearly a point-a-minute for the first quarter of the game, including a 70-metre counter special on the back of a Stars mistake, with big Steve Mafi making the break down the right, and flanker Chris Alcock finishing it off under the posts.
The Rams were awarded a penalty try just before halftime, after Wallabies squad member Paddy Ryan collapsed one scrum too many under the pressure of Benn Robinson.
The Stars were able to post tries in the second half to stem the flow somewhat, but the Rams would always hit back themselves. This was their most complete performance of the competition thus far, without question, but it will be their defence under pressure in the last 15 minutes that gives them the most confidence going forward.
Worthy: We’ve all seen bits and parts of Ben Volavola at fullback at Super Rugby level, but as an NRC-level flyhalf, he was superb on Saturday. Controlled the game so well with his lengthy kicking game, and showed some really impressive vision in attack.
Queensland Country 29 lost to North Harbour Rays 32, at CBus Super Stadium, Gold Coast. Crowd: 1500 (estimate from ground)
With all the talk coming out of the Gold Coast fixtures being the scarcity of the crowd on Saturday night, it’s hard to say whether the curtain-raiser idea succeeded or failed. Whatever the case may be, what we do know is that North Harbour is finally on the board after holding on for the win.
The Rays dominated the first half and led 24-8 at halftime, before Country hoisted the wet sail in the last thirty minutes to not just draw level, but to even take a 29-24 lead with around five minutes to go.
The Rays were able to work back into attacking territory once more, and crossed for a well-worked try from reserve backrower Jack de Guingand. Hamish Angus converted to put the visitors back in front.
Country had one last shot at the win, but a knock-on at the back of a scrum killed off the chance.
Worthy: hard to go past Rays scrumhalf Matt Lucas, who provided all the spark in North Harbour’s attack in their dominant start to the game.
NSW Country Eagles 26 lost to Brisbane City 34, at Oakes Oval, Lismore. Crowd: unknown
Really flying blind on this one, with the only match report and live updates I’ve seen coming from Brisbane City. NSW Country have been unusually quiet for the last few days, which is actually well out of character for them. Their assistance and social media engagement so far has been very, very good.
The short of it is that Brisbane City really hit their straps in the run-in to halftime, scoring 21 straight points until Tala Gray barged over for the Eagles. Jake Schatz had two of his three tries in City’s 29-10 lead.
Schatz posted his third try just after break to push City out to a 34-10 lead before the Eagles posted two more tries themselves to bring the margin back to losing bonus point territory.
Worthy: It certainly sounds and reads like Jake Schatz has had a strong game, but I really can’t offer much more than that.
Bye: Canberra Vikings
NRC ladder after Round 4
Melbourne Rising 20, NSW Country Eagles 15, Brisbane City 12, Canberra Vikings 9, Greater Sydney Rams 9, Perth Spirit 5, North Harbour Rays 4, Queensland Country 1, Sydney Stars 0.
Full and official table can be viewed here.
BrumbyJack
Guest
Brett I think you'll agree that after tonight's game the competition, and the ARU itself is struggling. Big time. The sooner this competition gets put to bed the better, and you can concentrate on what really matters - the Wallabies
REBELLION
Guest
My mighty Rising, soaring above the flock – Melb. Rising for NRC premiers 2014!!!
MARTO
Guest
& The " THYDNEY THTARS " can go on mad monday next week.....
Thunderguts
Guest
In Brief so you are the authority on all matters relating to the NRC. Why dont you have a go at joining the real world instead of playing ostrich's. I have had many years of experience marketing professional sport primarily in the USA and therefore know a little of what I speak. The ARU are in severe financial difficulties and need to be more strategic about how they spend their limited funds == 14,000 at the recent test would have barely covered costs. If you want to establish a new competition you need to PROMOTE it rather than word of mouth or the diehards who would have turned up anyway as they are so starved of Rugby. Sheek is the voice of realty here as opposed to the likes of yourself who will be the first to complain and criticise.
Bloke
Guest
Pray tell, what happens when the novelty factor of a new comp is gone.
Brett McKay
Expert
"but that doesn’t really change your point. Certainly, promotion has been disappointing to date.."
rock
Guest
Cheers for that Brett
CramTram
Guest
Hooray, have been waiting on news regarding City jersey purchases. Any idea on cost?
CramTram
Guest
He had an unreal box kick from about 15 inside the City half which bounced back off the corner post on the Eagles tryline and into touch. Other than that I can't really think of any others, very good decision making from Sanchez. Also his defence is phenomenal, bringing down forwards in one on one tackles. Delicious.
CramTram
Guest
He had an unreal box kick from about 15 inside the City half which bounced back off the corner post on the Eagles tryline and into touch. Other than that I can't really think of any others, very good decision making from Sanchez. Also his defence is phenomenal, bringing down forwards in one on one tackles. Delicious.
In Brief
Guest
Give it a rest mate. . You clearly read nothing and know nothing about the history of this competition. The ARU and Bill Pulver never, ever over promised or claimed that the NRC would be an instant hit or ITM Cup over night. Sheek's claim to this effect is disingenous in the extreme.
In Brief
Guest
The ARU is happy with 1500 per game. It shouldn't be, but that is what it expected, so the low crowds do not mean the NRC is doomed.
AndyS
Guest
Cheers Brett, and well done to The Roar for their linking to the streams. If the ARU can't get their management in one sock enough to get things in one place, at least folk can look here as a first port of call. Got to say I am also pretty underwhelmed by the ARU so far. I did wonder whether it would fall to the graduate intern to manage everything, but it seems even that was an overestimate. Perhaps they should go to a commission-style management system, so those with skin in the game can make the calls.
RobC
Roar Guru
NRC 2014, imo, was going to be a rush job and ugly in parts. . Not surprised about the TV ratings Anything good takes time, perhaps a 3/4 seasons from zero base. The key consideration is $ sustainability: - Assuming the avg game cost is $1500 / player incl fees, allowances, travel, lodging, coach/admin (I just made that up) - Assuming the $1M foxtel fund is evenly split and subsidises each team - Assuming $15 / attendees for tickets - Assuming $3 GP /attendee from F&B - Assuming $30K sponsorship, merchandising for each club =>Clubs need to pull 1,700 attendees per game. Less than 1,500 for NSW games (where tickets are sold higher) re broadcasting. - Based on the existing SANZAR deal the value per viewer is $1.44. - For Soccer based on their deals: its $2.38, NRL $1.85, AFL $1.76 - I would renego NRC to at least soccer rates - Based on this, NRC should be expected to bring in a mere 52,520 viewers per televised match - Even as low as 40,000 if you argue the Rugby demographic is worth $3 a pop
Jack Dalton
Guest
It would help enormously if someone running the show could push out to all media every time they put out a release the ladder. This would at least give some context, sense of competition and heighten interest in what has all the potential of establishing itself as an outstanding national competition. It wouldn't cost them anything but a bit of thought and time. Jack
RobC
Roar Guru
np boomeranga. didnt take it that way. wow 2 of 6. Its an indictment of the decline over the past 10 years - The 3 position especially, is considered the most important. - re Stars and new THPs: I guess this answers jeznez's (correction) question: does the Stars need to find talent from other clubs? - Not sure if its just fatcat, though I take nothing away from him. This isnt the only time that Stars scrum has struggled Look forward to the Eagles / BC full reel. I heard its a fierce forward battle.
sheek
Roar Guru
Brett, You don't need me to tell you that different people will tell you different things, depending on their position & their agenda. Eventually you work out whose word you can trust & whose you can't. I kinda like Growden because he doesn't mind upsetting people (we obviously share that trait). ;-) Rugby is on the nose in so many different ways, but as usual, the diehards are in denial. I have many rugby mates who are losing interest rapidly.
Thunderguts
Guest
Sheek, how right you are but is anybody listening??? Fox Sports only likes to be associated with winners and are not in the habit of supporting sporting codes that do not have a strong following at grass roots level. In the case of the NRC they will believe that they have been sold a "pup" and will not hesitate to say to the ARU "you did not deliver and we are out of here". Pulver has gone to ground because he knows his off the cuff solutions to OZ Rugby are falling apart -- 14,000 at a Rugby test match will not have made any significant contribution to ARU coffers and in fact may have been a negative. One can only hope that the alarm bells are sounding at the ARU but based on past experience they will all be sitting there sipping on their chardonnays
Brett McKay
Expert
Sheek, we're never going to align on our thoughts on the NRC and that's fine. But expecting to have your day in the sun? Really? Regardless, it's fair to say I was surprised by Greg's revelation, and as an explanation, I'll just repost what I commented to Atawhai on Friday when he posted the same thing: "Greg's obviously a colleague, and I've no reason to doubt his sources, but it completely contradicts a conversation I had with someone intimately involved with the NRC for Fox Sports only this week, who said that games have been rating above expectations (which were obviously set very low, because they haven't cracked the top 20 STV show each Thursday night), and that overall, they've been rapped with the games they've shown.." That all said, and given my post about Andrew Fagan's imminent departure above, we certainly agree that the ARU have a lot of questions to answer about how they're running the game currently..
sheek
Roar Guru
Brett, I've been called pretentious (among other things) by some for holding firm on my belief that history, tradition, heritage & tribalism ought to count for something. Of course it used to, in the days before professionalism & prostrating worship of the almighty dollar. That's okay, I expect I will have my day in the sun. So it was interesting to read this from your colleague at ESPNScrum - Greg Growden - in his latest ruck 'n maul column, where he says, in part: "And we hear some people at Fox Sports, who are broadcasting one game per week on Thursday night, are getting a bit edgy. Our snouts say some at Fox Sports have complained the NRC is a "p--- poor" cousin to what they were promised, including high flying claims that it would be Australia's version of New Zealand's ITM Cup and the Currie Cup in South Africa". So some Roarers need to realise it was Bill Pulver who made these highfalutin claims that the NRC was supposed to mimic the ITM Cup & Currie Cup & exist forever. Then went ahead & signed off on some of these half-baked teams. Is it any wonder then the NRC is struggling to gain traction outside of the rusted-on diehards.