- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Perth Spirit move through to the NRC final to face Brisbane City after defeating Melbourne Rising on the 29-45.
FULL TIME:
Melbourne Rising 29
Perth Spirit 45
The second semi final of the NRC will see the undefeated minor premiers, Melbourne Rising against the fourth placed Perth Spirit. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:30pm (AEDT).
This has been a great opening season, with free flowing entertaining rugby throughout.
This semi-final will be the second last game of the NRC season, with the winner advancing to the final against either the NSW Country Eagles or Brisbane City.
The Rising were the runaway minor premiers, winning all of their matches. There is no doubt that they are the form side of the competition.
The Spirit on the other hand are coming off a close loss to the second placed NSW Country Eagles. Despite only winning three matches, they have adapted well enough to the new laws to get enough bonus points to get into fourth place and secure a semi-final berth.
Last time these two played, the Rising beat the Spirit 44-24; the Spirit started strong but the Rising ended with a show.
The Rising will be hindered by their own success, with three players missing due to Wallaby selection. Tom English, Luke Jones and Sean McMahon are big losses for the Rising. The Spirit on the other hand will use a mix of Western Australian club and Super Rugby experienced players with experienced Wallaby Pek Cowan coming back into the side.
The battle of the fly-halves will be interesting. Zach Holmes has been in the Super Rugby system for a while and has benefited from an extended time for Perth in the fly-half competition in the NRC. On the other hand, this was Jack Debreczeni’s first season at the Rebels. He has been a commanding force at the Melbourne Rising, easily becoming the leading point scorer in the NRC.
Despite the loss of key players, it is hard to go past the form of the Melbourne Rising. The Perth Spirit have worked hard to make it to the semi finals, but this is where their journey will end. The commanding manner in which the Rising have completed their victories shows why they are the runaway favourites for the title.
They should complete this victory with relative ease and make their way to a home final.
My prediction: 47-26 to the Rising
It is great to see that the two teams from lesser known rugby areas are playing off in the semi finals. Do you think this form will impact on the upcoming Super Rugby season?
Last time Australia had a third-tier competition it uncovered players like Kurtley Beale and Luke Burgess. Who do you think have been the stars of this year’s NRC?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.