Brisbane City and Perth Spirit have scored two upset victories in as many days, leaving third-placed City set to take on fourth-placed Perth in the inaugural National Rugby Championship (NRC) grand final next Saturday at Ballymore.
The shock of the weekend came on Saturday afternoon at AAMI Park in Melbourne, as the undefeated Rising fell to Perth, who had recorded only three wins from eight starts in 2014.
Sloppy ball handling was the order of the day for the Melbourne outfit, who were unbackable favourites to take out the 2014 crown after going through the regular season undefeated.
Stern defence, direct play with ball in hand and a solid set piece was enough for Perth to record the biggest upset of the competition.
The tone set by the Spirit in the first 15 minutes – in which they defended wave after wave of Rising attacks – was carried throughout in an inspired performance.
“We knew that they were going to be very direct and they’ve got some big boys in Mitch Inman and Lopeti Timani so we knew if they got on top in that first 15, they were going to run away with the game,” Perth captain Sam Wykes said.
“Our defence was a big key coming into this game and then, coming off the back of five efforts in a row defensively, we scored and built momentum from there.”
A home final was on the cards for Brisbane City when they took on the NSW Country Eagles in Gosford on Friday night and they put in a solid performance.
A brace of tries to former Queensland Reds fullback Brando Va’aulu at either end of the 80 minutes was influential for the travelling City side, who put together a 16-0 second half to romp home.
City will host Perth next Saturday at the spiritual home of Queensland rugby in front of what is sure to be a massive crowd.
The last time the two sides met in Perth, City were rank outsiders and recorded a last-gasp victory thanks to a Junior Laloifi try.
Add that to the always-fiery Reds-Western Force rivalry and the NRC’s first grand final becomes a tantalising prospect.
AAP str/ajw
Crazy Horse
Guest
I agree. My comment is that the commentators all pressed surprise that the Spirit was competitive with the Rising. Those of paying attention knew that it was a much stronger side that played on Saturday than the Spirit played in their away games.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
There were a number of the "B" players playing yesterday Crazy Horse, their strategy has built some depth quite quickly and a real squad feel. Bodes well for the Force in coming years.
Demark
Guest
Korczyk Looking forward to a great final wish I could be at Ballymore but a little too far from Perth. Been a great chance to witness the young improvers in Aust rugby and happy to see some real talent emerging, being a addict I have managed to watch all the games on TV and 2 of the 3 played here in Perth. Hopefully the ARU will continue with the program and understand the value whatever the cost I have been extremely impressed with Frisby's performances and he must have been close to player of the series ( of course only from the games I have see on TV and the one live in Perth) also thought flankers Gunn and Korczyk were great also shows how strong the back row is considering they can't get a start now . Spirit forwards had some problems with set piece against Melb but stood tall facing a massive pack ( 930 plus kilo ) given the back row quality of Bris the Spirit will have to be at their very best and I'm sure they are looking forward to the challenge. If I was to back a team on paper it would have to be Bris but the Spirit have shown have just that 'Spirit ' and with a little luck may surprise Good luck to both and the NRC
Billy Bob
Guest
Great game to watch. Two tries were stopped millimeters short with determined defense. Amazing. Next week should be a cracker. I can see Wallaby trialists all over this comp. It's one piece of sunshine in Pulver's CV ATM
Lano
Roar Guru
Bfc - it's not all about the NRC! Cypress are playing Andora, Bulgaria vs Turkey, Malta vs Croatia, US vs All Blacks, Wallabies vs Barbarians, what a weekend!! Just kidding. Yes really looking fwd to the final. Dedicated Perth supporter, so you will be disappointed with the result.
Bfc
Guest
The NRC has been a winner as so far as this rugby fan is concerned. The winner still needs a dominant performance from it's forward pack, so the scrum contest between BNE and PER will go a long way towards determining the winner. BNE has a hot backline (Kerevi, Vaalu and Kuridrani have both been outstanding..) and with Genia absent, Frisby will 'run the show'...quite a few players who have Super Rugby experience, so a very strong squad all over. Scrum has been a weapon. PER will have its' A-team, with a big contingent of Super Rugby players also, so the game should be a cracking contest. PER will be confident after knocking out the hot favourites. Hope the game attracts a big crowd..."c'mon BNE!".
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think most of us know that CH. I've been critical of the B selections but they have made the GF so I'll take my hat off to them. Well done Spirit, I hope they go on to win it.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Ha ha. Like the comment. That said, well done Spirit think they will be hard to beat from here.
RT
Guest
Any chance it could be a Saturday afternoon game (Sunday would be better). I love afternoon rugby. I'll be there.
Rugby stu
Guest
It's a miracle! Calling all Queenslanders lets pack out sacred Ballymore!!
Steve
Guest
Loving the quality of the rugby and the community feel to the NRC. All 3 games the spirit have played here in the west were great to attend and harked back to simpler, purer club footy. If the ARU can get it together to keep growing this, rugby still has a chance in oz.
Crazy Horse
Guest
What the Fox commentators didn't say once during the match is that there are effectively two Perth Spirit sides selected on different strategies. The A Team is the best players available from the Force and Premier Grade. Basically the same strategy as the Melbourne Rising used. This team has been highly competitive all season. The B Team, which played the away games, was deliberately used as a development opportunity to identify up and coming WA talent with the capability to go further. Although no where near as competitive as the A team, the objective was achieved. There are quite a few players who will get their opportunity in the extended playing squad and the Force itself as a result. Yesterday it was the A Team that played. The same next week.
Don
Roar Rookie
If the marketing during the week is sharp and they get a decent amount of column inches in the Courier Mail we could see a crowd of 10 - 15K I'll be there with quite a few mates watching our club boys showing their stuff. Go Brisbane City!
AndyS
Guest
Was hoping to see how one of the matches would look with more coherent defence and have to say it looked good. Next week should be a cracker!
Mike
Guest
Wow, just wow. Congratulations to both teams, and commiserations to Melbourne - this was an upset due to how well they have played throughout the comp. They have lifted the bar for everyone else.
Justin3
Guest
Melbourne had their chances in the opening 20 and couldn't score... Well played Perth
44bottles
Roar Guru
Melbourne really missed McMahon and Jones from the backrow. McMahon in particularly has been playing like a demon throughout the comp
HarryT
Guest
A match review that doesn't give the final score? I thought Melbourne's defence was a bit disorganised. And Perth's tackle on Inman inches from the line was pivotal.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
better rugby and really took it to them. Melb could not respond. They failed to convert their 20 minute dominance into points........... great football game too. This is a genuine TV product.
Woodsman
Guest
I think this is the best outcome for the NRC in terms of putting on a grand final spectacle. Community participation and crowd sizes have been the largest in the NRC for Brisbane City (I believe), so it's a good chance to showcase what the comp can generate support wise. The Reds have been fairly capable with marketing and should make sure the day is worth turning up to for more than just footy.