An impressive Perth Spirit ran in 10 tries to four this afternoon on a warm day in the West to beat Queensland Country 68-29.
Laden with 10 Western Force stars, Perth were always going to be tough to beat, and while the brave Queenslanders showed guts throughout as well as patches of class, the Spirit had too much firepower.
Both sides were keen to attack, with quick offloads, good old-fashioned grunt, and great teamwork culminating in an entertaining ten try display of NRC rugby. Notably, both open-side flankers managed to cross the line for hat-tricks, with Perth’s Kane Koteka and Country’s Jack de Guingand grabbing three tries apiece.
Perth raced to a 10-0 lead inside ten minutes with debutant wing Christian Joubert and Koteka dotting down after pressure near the goal line. Country bounced back with de Guingand taking an inside pass from Captain Ben Adams to score, then finishing off some great lead-up work to get his second try, converted by Matt Brandon to take the lead 13-10.
Minutes later, Perth mounted pressure on the Country defence and eventually hooker Robbie Abel went over with Zack Holmes converting to make it 18-13. With continued possession, and clinical mauling near the line, Kotega again scored to make it 23-13.
Late in the half the dangerous Luke Morahan was driven over after an exciting lead-up, for a 31-13 lead at the break.
Two minutes into the second half Perth controlled possession and eventually Brynard Stander got over for a well-deserved try, converted by Holmes to make it 39-13. Soon after, Perth again capitalised on a Country indiscretion, kicked for the corner and steam rolled over with Abel grabbing his second, 44-13.
With Wykes in the sin-bin for a ruck infringement, Country gained some ascendency with the outstanding de Guingand scoring his third, and second-rower Blake Enever crossing for a well worked team try, both converted by Brandon to take it to 44-29.
Perth closed out the game with Koteka darting through the defence and prop Joe Savage crashing over, both converted by Holmes, before replacement back Va’a Mailei chased through a Kyle Godwin grubber kick to score, converted by Ian Prior, finishing off a convincing 68-29 victory.
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