It was fantastic to see so many NRC games streamed over the last weekend. Brett McKay has been raving ever since about the quality of the BarTV stream, so we’ve kept him on ice again for the preview this week.
With the Wallabies squad off to the Republic and Argentina, it looks like the playing stocks of some teams will take a hit, while others will get a massive (hint, hint) boost.
On the field, Round 4 was a mixed bag. Melbourne Rising are clearly proving themselves to be the leading side in the competition, and by some way.
The other team that looked to be the frontrunner, NSW Country, surrendered an early advantage to Brisbane City in Lismore that they couldn’t claw back.
Brisbane City do look to be a team on the rise, but we won’t get any evidence of it this week, as they have the bye.
Poor Queensland Country and Sydney Stars sit winless at the bottom of the ladder, while the Rays registered their first win of the comp.
Lurking ominously in the middle are Canberra and Greater Sydney, the jokers in the pack, and they’ll be looking to build on their last couple of games this week.
The lack of streams will make live blogging tricky this week, so if you’re going to a game and want to live cover one, feel free to get in touch with us.
More NRC:
>> Full NRC Draw
>> Brett McKay’s round 4 NRC wrap
>> Perth Spirit should look to NRC players, not Super stars
>> >> Rams player ratings: Round 4
Queensland Country vs Greater Sydney Rams
Ballymore, Brisbane
Thursday 18 September, 7:30pm AEST
TV: Fox Sports
Queensland Country will be scratching their heads as to what they have to do to get a win. They had all the running in the second half, but a late hitback from North Harbour last week saw them sink to their third loss in a row.
Brett summed their plight up best in his own way in his NRC wrap this week:
“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.”
That late try must have hurt Country, who sit on no wins after three games.
The Rams are a team in form, having won two on the trot, although their win over the Sydney Stars won’t be giving too many of the top teams nightmares. Taqele Naiyaravaro, is precisely the stuff of nightmares, having scored four tries and terrorised opposing defences in the tournament thus far. He gave the Stars a torrid time of it last week, and will be looking to do the same again this week.
They will want to put this game safely away, with a bonus point if possible, against a winless Queensland Country team with no big ‘ins’ to speak of.
Will Slipper, James’ brother, will make his debut from the bench this weekend for Queensland Country
Team news:
Country
1. Haydn Hirsimaki – Sunnybank
2. Ryan Freney – GPS
3. Greg Holmes – Reds/Sunnybank (VC)
4. Rubin Fuimaono – Bond University
5. Dan Gorman – GPS
6. James Turner – Souths
7. Beau Robinson – Reds/Souths
8. Ben Adams – Sunnybank
9. Sam Grasso – GPS
10. Matt Brandon – Easts
11. Giles Beveridge – Brothers
12. Anthony Fainga’a – Reds/GPS (C)
13. Campbell Magnay – GPS
14. Tom Pincus – University of Queensland
15. Jamie-Jerry Taulagi – University of Queensland
Reserves
16. Tonga Ma’afu – Norths
17. Campbell Wakely – University of Queensland
18. Will Slipper – Bond University
19. Mitch King – GPS
20. Jack de Guingand – University of Queensland
21. James Tuttle – GPS
22. Clynton Knox – Brothers
23. Rota Setu – University of Queensland
Rams
1. Jed Gillespie
2. Hugh Roach
3. Guy Millar
4. Jared Barry
5. Steve Mafi
6. Hugh Perrett
7. Chris Alcock
8. Jed Holloway (Captain)
9. Mark Swanepoel
10. Ben Volavola
11. Taqele Naiyaravaro
12. Michael McDougall
13. Lalakai Foketi
14. Jarome MacKenzie
15. Dane Chisholm
Reserves
16. Peni Ravai*
17. Cameron Betham*
18. Dave Lolohea (FR)
19. Dylan Sigg
20. Pat Sio
21. Vasa Falaelii
22. Jai Ayoub
23. Henry Seavula
Tickets: Get them here.
Twitter: #Qldvram
The Roar‘s live blog: As it’s on Fox, we’ll have a live blog of the action.
Sydney Stars vs Canberra Vikings
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Saturday 20 September, 3:00pm AEST
All form would suggest this should be a walkover.
Canberra have perhaps the second strongest team on paper, after Melbourne, and have won their last two games after a disappointing start against the Spirit. With the likes of Robbie Coleman, Fotu Auelua and Henry Speight all likely to be available for selection, they would think some points are up for the taking against the Stars.
Unfortunately for them, it looks like all the Wallabies names in the squad yesterday will be missing, so that means they won’t have key players in flyhalf Christian Lealiifano and Joe Tomane. Big losses, both.
The Stars are a side that many expected to be one of the teams to catch before the start of the season, due to their connections to traditional powerhouse Sydney University. It certainly doesn’t help that a host of Sydney Uni players are playing for the Wallabies right now, but the opposite has proved the case.
They do have one big plus going for them this weekend, and that’s the dropping of Will Skelton from the Wallabies squad. It’s a good chance for the big man to get more game time at a high level, and a great time for him to fire up and play big minutes. Expect some Vikings mauls to be destroyed by him.
Team news:
Stars
1. Jeremy Tilse
2. Tom Coolican
3. Paddy Ryan
4. Andrew Leota
5. Will Skelton
6. Tipiloma Kaveinga
7. Patrick McCutcheon (C)
8. Sam Quinn
9. Jake Gordon
10. Stuart Dunbar
11. Jono Sullivan
12. Jim Stewart
13. Michael Hodge
14. James Dargaville
15. Jack Macklin
Reserves
16. James Willan (FR)
17. Tom Robertson (FR)
18. Laurie Weeks (FR)
19. Matthew Philip
20. Hugo Dessens
21. Jock Merriman
22. Jonathan Fakai
23. Jono Loseli
Vikings
1. JP Smith
2. Lala Lam
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Tim Cree
5. Jordan Smiler
6. Jarrad Butler (c)
7. Sean Doyle
8. Fotu Auelua (c)
9. Michael Dowsett
10. Isaac Thompson
11. Robbie Coleman (vc)
12. Rodney Iona
13. Nigel Ah Wong
14. Jerome Niumata
15. Jesse Mogg
Reserves
16. Mitch Wade
17. Joel Penders
18. Les Makin
19. Tom Staniforth
20. Rory Arnold
21. Joe Powell
22. Drew Southwell
23. Lausii Taliauili
Tickets: Can be found here
Twitter: #Sydvvik
The Roar‘s live blog: Again, unless someone volunteers, we won’t have anyone there.
NSW Country vs Melbourne Rising
Wade Oval, Orange
Saturday 20 September, 3:00pm AEST
Sunday arvo Country footy. We can already smell it. Brett will be there too, giving us score updates, so jump on the live blog when you see it pop up. They’re also putting on a bit of an event, with wine and food set to feature prominently, so if you like good things in life, we suggest you get down there.
On the park, this is a truly mouthwatering contest. Melbourne have clearly displayed themselves to be the best side in the competition, knocking off all comers so far.
NSW Country have proved to be a close second, though their loss to Brisbane City puts a dampener on that. Brisbane City, if anyone, is probably third on that ranking.
But if anyone was to knock off Melbourne, it’s likely to be Country. They won’t have Josh Mann-Rea, who will be travelling with the Wallabies to South Africa, but they should have the rest of their forward pack intact, and that’s where they will target Rising.
It’s not that Rising’s forward pack is anything to sneeze at – they are pretty stacked with Super Rugby talent in that area with Pat Leafa, Luke Jones, Lopeti Timani and Sean McMahon all some of the best performers in the tournament so far.
Keep an eye on Andrew Kellaway and Brendan McKibbon for Country, who are the dangers in a potent backline.
But Rising should have the edge in the backs through Stirzaker, Debreczini, Inman and English. If Country can upset Stirzaker’s ball then they’re in with a shot. Otherwise, it could be another romp for Rising, who’ve already scored 223 points. In four games. Yup.
Team news:
Melbourne Rising
1. Cruze Ah-Nau (Footscray/Melbourne Rebels)
2. Pat Leafa (Box Hill/Melbourne Rebels) (Vice Captain)
3. Paul Alo-Emile (Power House/Melbourne Rebels)
4. Sam Jeffries (Melbourne Uni/Melbourne Rebels)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (Foostcray/Melbourne Rebels)
6. Luke Jones (Moorabbin/Melbourne Rebels)
7. Sean McMahon (Endeavour Hills/Melbourne Rebels)
8. Lopeti Timani (Footscray/Melbourne Rebels)
9. Nic Stirzaker (Endeavour Hills/Melbourne Rebels) (Captain)
10. Jack Debreczeni (Endeavour Hills/Melbourne Rebels)
11. Joe Kamana (Moorabbin)
12. Mitch Inman (Southern Districts/Melbourne Rebels) (Vice Captain)
13. Tom English (Melbourne Uni/Melbourne Rebels)
14. Rennie Lautolo-Molimau (Endeavour Hills)*
15. Telusa Veainu (Melbourne/Melbourne Rebels)
Reserves
16. Tom Sexton (Power House/Melbourne Rebels)
17. Tuiatua Tuia (Moorabbin)
18. Fereti Sa’aga (Melbourne Uni)^
19. Pom Simona (Harlequin) (Vice Captain)
20. Sione Taufa (Harlequin)
21. Ben Meehan (Box Hill/Melbourne Rebels)
22. Lloyd Johansson (Harlequin)
23. Martin Naufahu (Foostcray)^
We’ll have the Country team here as soon as it’s announced.
Tickets: Can be found here.
Twitter: #Eagvmel
The Roar‘s live blog: We’ll have scores, thanks to the man on the ground Brett McKay. Jump on there and join the banter!
North Harbour Rays vs Perth Spirit
Brookvale Oval, Sydney
Saturday 20 September, 5:30pm AEST
North Harbour got away with one last week against Queensland Country on the Gold Coast, and will be hoping that it goes a way to kickstarting their season. With a set of Shute Shield stalwarts locking down some key positions, there’s no doubt the Rays have the potential to make an impact against Perth.
After a promising start, the Spirit will be quite disappointed with their last three outings. Losses to Brisbane City, the Rams and Melbourne Rising will have them desperate in this one, and this is a game they can certainly win. Losing Matt Hodgson can’t have helped, of course.
Matt Lucas impressed enough last week to hold his spot over the impressive Josh Holmes, no mean feat.
Lucas’ performance against Country had many in rugby circles chatting excitedly about the stock of halves available to the Waratahs (and North Harbour!).
They were well run out of the halves by Hamish Angus, and did enough to get their first win on the board.
With neither Perth or North Harbour particularly impressive so far this competition, it will be interesting one to watch.
It’s a twilight fixture at Brookvale Oval, so should be a great one to watch between two evenly matched sides.
Team news:
North Harbour
15. David FELTSCHEER (Warringah)
14. Cam CRAWFORD (Northern Suburbs)
13. Michael ADAMS (Warringah)
12. Brian SEFANAIA (Manly)
11. Sireli TAGICAKIBAU (Warringah)
10. Hamish ANGUS (Warringah)
9. Matt LUCAS (Manly)
8. Sam WARD (Warringah)
7. Boyd KILLINGWORTH (Warringah)
6. Harry BERGELIN (Manly)
5. Greg PETERSON © (Manly)
4. Ed GOWER (Manly)
3. Tobias GUKIBAU (Gordon)
2. Luke HOLMES (vc) (Warringah)
1. Mitch LEWIS (Manly)
Reserves
16. Dave PORECKI (Manly)
17. Dane MARAKI (Manly)
18. Nick FRASER (Gordon)
19. Ryan MELROSE (Manly)
20. Jack DEMPSEY (Gordon)
21. Josh HOLMES (Warringah)
22. Scott DARUDA (Manly)
23. Mali HINGANO(Manly)
Perth Spirit:
1. Joe Savage (Palmyra)
2. Robbie Abel (Cottesloe)
3. Oliver Hoskins (Cottesloe)
4. Corey Thomas (UWA)
5. Brent Murphy (Perth Bayswater)
6. Richard Hardwick (UWA)
7. Kane Koteka (Wests Scarborough)
8. Alex Rovira (Associates)
9. Justin Turner (Associates)
10. Zack Holmes (Associates)
11. Va’a Mailei (Palmyra)
12. Luke Burton (UWA)
13. Ammon Matuauto (Associates)
14. Brad Lacey (Wests Scarborough)
15. Dillyn Leyds (Palmyra)
Reserves
16. Harry Scoble (UWA)
17. Alec Hepburn (Cottesloe)
18. Kaisa Reidy (Cottesloe)
19. Scott Stevens (Nedlands)
20. Ross Haylett-Petty (Cottesloe)
21. Oscar Backhouse (UWA)
22. Michael Ruru (Nedlands)
23. Davis Tavita (Nedlands)
Tickets: Tickets to Brookvale are available here.
Twitter: #Rayvper
The Roar‘s live blog: No live blog, unless we can find someone!
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.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Tahs already have Dennis, Hooper, Palu, Hoiles, Gray and Chapman as back rowers.
Boomeranga
Guest
I think Michael Hodge would be off contract now. Anyone know for sure?
BlueBlood
Guest
Go Boyd Killingsworth. Very talented young man fingers crossed he picks up a Super Rugby contract off the back of this season. As a Tahs supporter I hope he comes in for Pat McCutcheon as he provides a bit of youth and probably a little more impact off the bench. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-TWU1iVF9I
boomeranga
Guest
Yeah it does thanks mate.
Brett McKay
Expert
Boomer, I get the impression it's a bit varied. The Super Rugby aligned sides seem to be following the same type of schedules during the week, whereas the Sydney sides (or at least some of them) seem to be doing at least a couple of night sessions a week so that guys with jobs aren't missing out. So it's probably a bit of both, if that answers your question...
boomeranga
Guest
Brett - Do you have any insights into how much time the teams are putting into training and preparation each week? Not each one in detail or anything, but more so are they mostly training, say, 3 nights a week and blokes who work are still working, or is it full-time footballer time for these few months.
Jagman
Guest
Their defence has obviously improved with him on the field too.
Brett McKay
Expert
Cree's being playing lock throughout Marcus, but you're right, it's an obvious statement of intent..
Brett McKay
Expert
Last week was his first start for the Rams J3, played reasonably well, and made the break and set up their last try..
Markus
Guest
Interesting starting pack named by the Vikings, that back five are all loose forwards. I assume that signals their intent for the first half of the match. If it turns out Smiler and Tim Cree can both play lock too, that could open up a few options in a problem position for the Brumbies.
Brett McKay
Expert
I'd like to think that too, J3... :(
Justin3
Guest
Does anyone know how Lalakai Foketi had played so far?
Justin3
Guest
Great stuff Brett. Well done on the coverage, I would like to think the aru have you on the pay roll. We can dream hey
Brett McKay
Expert
Three changes for the Stars: Sydney Stars team announced for University of Canberra Vikings fixture For their second home game of the inaugural Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) at Leichhardt Oval this Saturday, the Sydney Stars have announced a similar line-up to last week’s team, with only 3 changes made for their Round 5 fixture against the University of Canberra Vikings. Following an injury to Matthew Kenny last weekend against the Greater Sydney Rams, Jono Sullivan has been promoted off the bench to replace Kenny’s position on the wing, in what will be Sullivan’s first starting opportunity for the Stars. As a result, Johnny Loseli will pull on the Sydney Stars jersey for the first time as he moves onto the bench. In the only other change to last week’s side, young gun Jim Stewart and NSW Waratah Michael Hodge have swapped positions in the centers, with Stewart moving to number 12 and Hodge to 13. For the third time this season, big lock Will Skelton is also included in the starting side for the Sydney Stars after missing out on selection in the Wallabies Squad travelling to South Africa. However, Skelton will look to make an impression against the UC Vikings in his endeavor for reselection into the Wallaby side. Head Coach Chris Malone is under no illusions that the new competition has been tough for the Sydney Stars so far, and that the UC Vikings will bring another big challenge, but he knows the Stars are capable of making an impact, and this weekend will provide the chance for them to shake things up and demonstrate how they have progressed since game one. "We always knew the Buildcorp NRC was going to be a step up in class and we have seen this in the opening rounds” said Malone. “This weekend the UC Canberra Vikings will be a significant challenge as they are loaded with Brumbies, but our preparation for this game has been intense and we will be looking for massive improvements". Sydney Stars vs. University of Canberra Vikings (Leichhardt Oval, 20th September) 1. Jeremy Tilse 2. Tom Coolican 3. Paddy Ryan 4. Andrew Leota 5. Will Skelton 6. Tipiloma Kaveinga 7. Patrick McCutcheon (C) 8. Sam Quinn 9. Jake Gordon 10. Stuart Dunbar 11. Jono Sullivan 12. Jim Stewart 13. Michael Hodge 14. James Dargaville 15. Jack Macklin Replacements 16. James Willan (FR) 17. Tom Robertson (FR) 18. Laurie Weeks (FR) 19. Matthew Philip 20. Hugo Dessens 21. Jock Merriman 22. Jonathan Fakai 23. Jono Loseli
Brett McKay
Expert
Perth Spirit are maintaining the Home Matches Only pattern for Western Force regulars, with a mostly club-based pack to the face North Harbour: SAVAGE TO LEAD PERTH SPIRIT AGAINST NORTH HARBOUR RAYS Palmyra prop, Joe Savage, will captain the Perth Spirit when they tackle the North Harbour Rays this Saturday, 20 September in Round Five of the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) in Sydney. Savage has led the Palmyra Pindan Premier Grade side on numerous occasions and brings a wealth of knowledge to the front-row with Asteron Life Super Rugby experience with the Chiefs and was recognised as the Pindan Premier Grade’s most outstanding player, awarded the PG Hampshire Award in 2013. Savage will pack down alongside Cottesloe’s Robbie Abel and Oliver Hoskins Corey Thomas comes into the second-row in place of Rory Walton who has been sidelined with a knee injury sustained against the Rising while lock Brent Murphy has retained his position. There has been a change to the back-row with Richard Hardwick moving to the blindside flank and fellow ‘Future Force’ scholarship holder, Kane Koteka elevated to the openside flank. Following his consistent high work rate over the past two matches, including a try against the Rising, Alex Rovira will again pull on the No. 8 jersey. The Associates combination of Justin Turner and Zack Holmes will again compete at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively. The speed and power of Palmyra’s Va’a Mailei has provided the side with considerable impact off the bench and this week he will start on the wing alongside Brad Lacey from Wests Scarborough. Lacey scored a thrilling try last week and both wingers are primed for a fast-paced match against the Rays. The centres pairing of Luke Burton and Ammon Matuauto remains unchanged this week with Dillyn Leyds lining up at fullback again. The bench will see some new faces this week with Kaisa Reidy (Cottesloe), Scott Stevens (Nedlands) and Oscar Backhouse (UWA) all set to make their Perth Spirit debut. UWA and Future Force hooker, Harry Scoble and Cottesloe prop, Alec Hepburn, will cover the front row along with Higgins. Stevens, Backhouse and Cottesloe's Ross Haylett-Petty will make their impact in the second and back rows from the bench. Scrumhalf Michael Ruru, and inside back, Davis Tavita from Nedlands, will also come on from the bench. Perth Spirit coach, Kevin Foote, said the team’s work-rate and morale had been high all week and had no doubt their effort would be continued on Saturday under Savage’s leadership. "Joe’s a player with a lot of experience; he is a strong leader, is very respected within the group and will lead the team well on Saturday,” Foote said. “This week we will see another three players get the chance to make their mark in this competition as we continue to grow the player base and expose the Western Australian talent to another level of rugby. “The Rays had a good win over Queensland Country on the Gold Coast last weekend and they’re a team we have a lot of respect for. “Our guys put in a strong effort against a very dangerous Rising side last week, and it’s important that we have a sustained performance, are continuing to work for each other and continuing to play the game right through to the end this week in Sydney.” 2014 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship – Week Five North Harbour Rays v Perth Spirit Brookvale Oval, Sydney Saturday, 20 September 2014 Kick-off: 5.30pm (local)/3.30pm (AWST) 1. Joe Savage (Palmyra) 2. Robbie Abel (Cottesloe) 3. Oliver Hoskins (Cottesloe) 4. Corey Thomas (UWA) 5. Brent Murphy (Perth Bayswater) 6. Richard Hardwick (UWA) 7. Kane Koteka (Wests Scarborough) 8. Alex Rovira (Associates) 9. Justin Turner (Associates) 10. Zack Holmes (Associates) 11. Va'a Mailei (Palmyra) 12. Luke Burton (UWA) 13. Ammon Matuauto (Associates) 14. Brad Lacey (Wests Scarborough) 15. Dillyn Leyds (Palmyra) Reserves 16. Harry Scoble (UWA) 17. Alec Hepburn (Cottesloe) 18. Kaisa Reidy (Cottesloe) 19. Scott Stevens (Nedlands) 20. Ross Haylett-Petty (Cottesloe) 21. Oscar Backhouse (UWA) 22. Michael Ruru (Nedlands) 23. Davis Tavita (Nedlands)
Brett McKay
Expert
John, I think it's of a similar standard, if perhaps not the intensity of say, Auckland-Canterbury. Points per game, and tries per game is very much on par, even with the points tweaks in the NRC. Re salaries, Super Rugby players aren't paid any further to play in the NRC, and those club players on NRC contract wouldn't be on a massive amount. There are match fees, as I understand, but there's still plenty of NRC players juggling day jobs..
Brett McKay
Expert
I don't believe so Jez. I certainly couldn't condone the use of anything illegal, of course, even if it's the only option available to you...
John
Guest
Whats the standard of the NRC compared with the ITM cup? Also, what is the salary cap/average earnings of an NRC player?
jeznez
Roar Guru
General question, is there a stream option on the televised game? Unfortunately the TV game isn't shown here in HK.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Such a strong Rising team. Tight 5 good, back row very good, highly promising halves, strong centres, quick feet in the back 3.