A nine-try performance by the Perth Spirit has seen them defeat the Sydney Stars 63-21 in an excellent NRC match.
The Perth Spirit backline put on an eccentric display of running rugby, and when they got going it was just too much for the Stars.
It took a while for the Spirit to get going, kicking away a lot of their opportunities in the first 10 minutes, giving the Stars a 13-0 lead.
They displayed flashes of brilliance, clearing the breakdown well and dominating the scrum, but their fundamentals let them down. They allowed a Stars maul to score a try, and made costly mistakes when catching high balls due to a lack of communication.
But after settling in the backs began to make some moves down the wing, with Marcel Brache, Kyle Godwin and Junior Rasolea leading the charge. This allowed Godwin to get over the line, making the score 13-8.
The Spirit soon got in the tempo of the game, pressuring the Stars defence up against their own line and allowing Ross Haylett-Petty to score a try off the back of a breakdown.
The Spirit’s scrum was one of the most noticeable aspects of their game. Sydney won a few of their own feeds, but when Perth pushed they were able to win some opposition feeds, frightening the Sydney side.
Coach Kevin Foote was happy with his side’s win, commending the forward pack and the fact that they didn’t come unstuck in the second half.
“Guys came on like Chris Heiburg who hasn’t played loosehead for a while and scrummed really well,” he said. “The packs just stepping up every day, and again Sam Wykes is huge there, he just runs the lineout pretty well and we looked like a balanced team, it’s a good effort.”
Perth’s forward pack, led by captain Sam Wykes did not dominate on the scoring sheet, but they commanded the breakdown well, especially against the Stars’ Wallaby second-rower Will Skelton, who played in the first half. Their work at the breakdown made light work for the backs who easily set up play against a shaken Stars defence.
Marcel Brache put in a stellar performance, scoring a try late in the game after setting up many backline moves earlier on.
“The theme for this week was just game management and sort of knowing when we were going to have a go,” Brache said. “I think if you have a look at the game we kicked in areas where we need to kick and we put them under pressure and we out them under pressure and then we isolated them.
“I see Dane, and Mozza [Luke Morohan] scoring tries and I thought I got to come in, and as a back three step up and put some points on the board, luckily Kyle [Godwin] he put two kicks on a string and I messed it up the first time and the second, luckily enough it bounced into my hands.”
The backline’s fitness has improved noticeably since their last home match at McGillvray Park, with Brache saying the conditioning phase since the end of Super Rugby had been very beneficial to the squad.
“We’ve taken a different route and a different step in terms of what we want to achieve, and how we want to play has to do with our conditioning, if we’re not conditioned right we can’t play the rugby we want and I think today the conditioning helped us to put the points on the board, and luckily enough to play a good enough style of rugby to win.
“This is a wonderful stepping stone for a number of guys who are just below Super Rugby level and who can put their hands up and say ‘I’m also here to play’, I think it’s an awesome initiative and it’s going to be great for Australian rugby.”
Ultimately, a few soft tries gave the Sydney score line a glimmer of respectability, but it was Perth’s day.
Fulltime: Perth Spirit 63 (Robbie Abel 2, Junior Rasolea 2, Kyle Godwin, Ross Haylett-Petty, Ian Prior, Luke Morahan, Marcel Brache tries; Ian Prior 6 conversions) defeat the Sydney Stars 21 (Laurie Weeks, Andrew Leota, Paddy Ryan tries; Jack Macklin 2 conversions)
Roy
Guest
I agree, plus it get them exposure in Melbourne,. They are also blooding new players, like there 9-10 combo.
Roy
Guest
Agree Rob, look at how much sharper Holmes looks for playing more. It was his kicks that put Brache and Rassolea over.
Sheikh
Guest
Took the bye into account in my calculations. With the exception of the Rising and the Stars, pretty much every team seems to take points of anyone else; if that continues then if the Spirit can with both remaining matches they should still make the top four, probably in 4th, although a couple of possible permutations I came up with had them finishing 3rd or 5th. The fact that they've got bonus points helps. The home match against Queensland County should be doable, especially if they keep the larger Force contingent. What would be interesting is whether they go back to the largely club side for the trip to Dubbo if there's a chance of the finals.
RobC
Roar Guru
thanks gents for the info and highlights. Yes, looks like Spirit is fielding Pindan's best and moderating the Force players involvement Wondering that if they played with the Force players, that they would lift even faster. Similar to Dewars players and the Rebs. As Sheikh mentioned we will see next year for both Parth and Melbourne in SR
kunming tiger
Guest
That will have to do
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wMZ-ki0m04#t=13 Rob mate, maybe this link will help.
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
Mate Skelton had a shocker. He had a lazy game and would go to ground very easily. He was often standing out with the backline as well.. which was very strange... He had no use there and it shows some serious flaws in the coaching and Stars gameplan, or he just isn't listening to instructions. His best work is done at the breakdown, and running in a pod of three forwards. He hardly did this at all.
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
Yep, it will be pretty hard for the Spirit to make the playoffs as they haven't had their bye yet. Their fate will most likely be put into the hands of other results.
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
Their affiliate team is on a good path to taking out the NRC mate!
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
Hi Rob, there is no match replay for this game as of yet, that's up to RugbyWA. I know there was a camera man, Keep an eye out for updates on the Perth Spirit Facebook page, In regards to fielding the top team each week, it can defeat the purpose of the competition. I have interviewed a few of the Perth Spirit players and they will tell you, every time, that the priority is getting the young guys a taste of the next level. Results are secondary. In my interview with Marcel Brache he said “This is a wonderful stepping stone for a number of guys who are just below Super Rugby level and who can put their hands up and say ‘I’m also here to play’, I think it’s an awesome initiative and it’s going to be great for Australian rugby."
kunming lion
Guest
The Rebels need to win somethiing and soon.
Bakkies
Guest
They have played a game more than other contenders.
Sheikh
Guest
See Trent's comment as to why they don't field their top team every week. Next year's Super season will be the litmus test, though; if the Rebels are greatly improved then other teams may play more first teamers in the 2015 NRC. Perth has gone the other way to identify who can step up as a back-up (the Force first team being largely settled bar injuries). Either approach might be right for their respective franchises.
Sheikh
Guest
Yep, the Spirit can still make the finals, but I don't think they can get a home semi (ie, 2nd). 3rd is possible, but needs results to go their way; 4th likely if they win their 2 remaining, but they can win both and still miss out. There are some close mid-table matches still to play (Canberra - Rays, Rams - Brisbane this week, Rays - Brisbane & Canberra - Eagles in Rd 8 and Eagles - Perth & Brisbane - Canberra in Rd 9).
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for the article. Is there a match replay? Wished Perth fielded the top team every week. Not doing so denies the opportunity to gel and lift.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I was at the game and to tell the truth I was gobsmacked at how Skelton was used. I can only think he was under coaches orders because in attack he was stationed between 10 & 12 and was very flat every single time. Only late in the first half did he hit any rucks and that was only when the tackle was right in front of him, otherwise he stayed away .... very disappointing
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
Well said
trent
Guest
Winning is highly desirable but ultimately I think that the Spirit management had done right by their players. There is not one away game that the Spirit go to that doesn't involve at least a 8.5hour round trip. Considering that the senior Force members are part of the highest traveling professional sporting team in the world, I can see why they'd want to give these guys a break. The east coast teams are a 2 to 3 hour round trip for all but their game against the Spirit. That is a huge factor and consideration. It is also a great opportunity for the greater squad who didn't get much opportunity during the Super season to really get some serious game minutes in. As for the club rugby players who are having their first opportunity against some great opposition; That is what the competition is all about! Fabulous. So many weekend warriors think that they would do well at Super level but it is a huge step up, particularly in Perth to be brutally honest. Now the NRC is not Super level but some of the teams they have faced have been very strong in Super representatives. It is a great opportunity to see who really is possibly able to take the huge step up. Hats off to the Spirit for the way they have gone about the NRC.
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
Skelton got dominated in general play, they would just grab his feet and he wouldn't even fight, Just would go straight down
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
Perth are now sitting fourth