Fit Nick Frisby rates Perth NRC final favourites

Brisbane City’s hopes of claiming the inaugural National Rugby Championship title has received a major boost with gun halfback Nick Frisby shrugging off injury to play Perth Spirit on Saturday night.

Frisby on Wednesday declared himself a certain starter after recovering from two painful knocks in Brisbane’s 32-26 semi-final upset of NSW Country in Gosford.

The Queensland Reds utility, who has emerged from Will Genia’s shadow to be one of the most dangerous players in the NRC, was badly restricted with a dead leg and lasted only until halftime in City’s comeback win.

He copped a knee to the back in cleaning up a loose ball but battled on before being lined up and smashed by Eagles centre Apakuki Mau’fu after wrapping around a teammate near the Country line.

“I’ve pulled up fine this week and trained well Monday and Tuesday so I’m looking forward to Saturday,” Frisby told AAP.

“But I haven’t been hit so hard in a long time.

“I might be giving the wrap-around play a miss this weekend.”

While Brisbane will have home ground advantage at Ballymore, Frisby believes it’s the Western Force-infused Spirit side which deserve to start as favourites following their semi-final boilover.

Perth stunned unbeaten minor premiers Melbourne Rising at AAMI Park, scoring six tries in their 45-29 victory.

Brisbane upset the Spirit 26-21 in round two when Wallabies lock James Horwill played 40 minutes off the bench.

But birthday boy Frisby, who turned 22 on Wednesday, said the inclusion of several Force players meant it was the visitors who would line up with more Super Rugby experience.

“That was a pleasing win for us but it’s a fairly different (Spirit) team,” he said.

“The contest at the breakdown is going to be massive.”