We’re getting into an interesting little part of the National Rugby Championship now. The unbeaten teams – Brisbane City, Sydney Stars, and Uni of Canberra Vikings – could all cement their spot in the semi-finals over the next few weeks.
If you recall last season, Perth snuck into fourth place with just three wins. Brisbane and the Stars already have three wins. For what it’s worth, I think teams will need at least four wins in 2015, but it still means these teams are in the box seat.
Similarly, the three teams yet to record a win – Greater Sydney Rams, Queensland Country and Perth Spirit – are fast entering make-or-break territory, and really must win this weekend just to stay in touch of the fop four. They’re already two wins off the four currently, and they really can’t afford to drop another one.
Reminder
To watch the three games on Saturday, you’ll need full access to the Fox Sports website, or to the Fox Sport NOW app on Apple TV. NRC Live streams can be accessed by Fox Sports Digital subscribers and News Plus subscribers, or they can be viewed a day after the game at www.BuildcorpNRC.com.au.
Most Foxtel subscribers qualify for free Fox Sports Digital access but need to generate a new username and password by clicking here.
You cannot access the streams with just your Foxtel TV login details.
Onto the games…
Tonight: Brisbane City v North Harbour Rays at Ballymore Oval, Brisbane; 7:35pm AEST
City won’t be thinking about the finals – or at least that’s what they’ll say publicly – but this game is a really big chance for them to demonstrate their dominance. They’ve won three tough games to date, and this is arguably the ‘easiest’ side they’ve crossed.
They should – should – win this comfortably. Similarly, the Rays will be thinking they very nearly got Melbourne’s measure last week, and so they shouldn’t – shouldn’t – be fazed by taking on the competition leaders. It is, therefore, a big game for both teams.
City have put the Horan-Little Shield up for defence as they’re required to, and have made four changes from the side that won the brutal Queensland derby up in Toowoomba. Hooker Matt Mafi starts his first game for City in place of Andrew Ready and backrower Waita Setu comes back into the starting side for Luke Beauchamp at blindside.
Henry Taefu at 12 joins Samu Kerevi in the centres, and Mika Tela makes his run on debut to partner Chris Kuridrani on the wing. Karmichael Hunt moves to 15, with new cult hero Junior Laloifi dropping back to the bench. Scrumhalf Moses Sorovi and outside back Pat James are also in line to make their debuts from the bench.
The Rays have given young Warringah and 2014 Australian Under-20s prop Rory O’Connor a start at loosehead, in one of a host of changes from the side that pushed Melbourne last Thursday night. Mitch Lewis drops back to the bench, where he’s joined by new recruit, Bond University tighthead Alex Holmes. Harry Bergelin starts at blindside, and Jack Dempsey moves to No.8, both moves forced by Sam Ward taking up a contract in Italy this week.
The NRC’s leading try-scorer, Boyd Killingworth, remains at openside. Cam Treloar drops back to the bench, which gives Ryan Melrose a start at lock, while gun flyhalf Sam Lane looks set to finally make his return from injury from the bench.
Brisbane City: (1-15) Pettowa Paraka, Matt Mafi, Sam Talakai, Ben Hyne, Cadeyrn Neville, Waita Satu, Liam Gill (c), Scott Higginbotham, Nick Frisby, Jake McIntyre, Mika Tela, Henry Taefu, Samu Kerevi, Chris Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt.
Reserves: Ryan Freeney, Marcus Vanzati, Feao Fotuaika, James Moore, Luke Beauchamp, Moses Sorovi, Patrick James, Junior Laloifi.
North Harbour: (15-1) Reece Hodge, Alex Northam, Dennis Pili-Gaitau, Tom Hill, Tyson Davis, Hamish Angus, Josh Holmes, Jack Dempsey, Boyd Killingworth, Harry Bergelin, Harry Rorke, Ryan Melrose, Lawrance Hunting , Luke Holmes (c), Rory O’Connor.
Reserves: Vance Elliott, Mitch Lewis, Alex Holmes, Cameron Treloar, Ruairidh Wilson, Tim Donlan/Richard Woolf, Sam Lane, Michael Adams.
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
Tickets: Adults $15, concessions $10, juniors $5 when purchased online via www.redsrugby.com.au, and QRU-registered kids under 16 free with a paying adult.
Saturday: NSW Country Eagles v Sydney Stars at Ray Chillingworth Oval, Tamworth; 3:00pm AEST
The Eagles take their first NRC game of 2015 to the bush, with a big crowd expected in Tamworth. The food and wine festival that was a massive hit at Woollahra Oval two weeks ago is on again and there is genuine anticipation as a lot of country boys – on both teams – return home for a game in front of familiar faces.
Country could draw level with Melbourne with a win, and they’ll be super keen after a bye week. The Stars, similarly want to carry their momentum with big games against the Eagles and Canberra Vikings next week.
Country have been dealt a couple of blows, the major one being Australian lock and Quirindi product Sam Carter ruled out of the clash, having only just played for the Wallabies in Chicago against the USA last weekend. Hard-running outside centre Ed Stubbs is also out of the Tamworth clash, and so is Berry product and workhorse flanker Will Miller.
The loss of Carter will be somewhat made up for with the inclusion of his Brumbies teammate Tom Stanforth. And could we see the first sighting of Dubbo boy, former Waratahs and Reds flanker, Beau Robinson in a Country jersey?
The Stars have a few country lads keen for the clash, too, with Gunnedah boy Angus Roberts steering the team around from flyhalf, and Coonabarabran-born flanker David Hickey continuing to lead the team well.
Unfortunately, Tamworth local Paddy Ryan misses the game with injury. The Stars are also waiting on confirmation of the status of Wallabies hooker James Hanson, who like Carter, played in the Chicago Test. Dave Dennis was rested last week, but may well come into an otherwise unchanged side.
Teams to be announced today. Referee is Michael Hogan.
Tickets: Available at the gate, or via www.nswcountryeagles.com, with adults $15 and kids under 16 free.
Saturday: Greater Sydney Rams v Queensland Country at Forshaw Rugby Park, Sydney; 3:00pm AEST
It’s been a tough start to the season for the Rams, and after a thumping at the hands of the Vikings last weekend in Canberra, they now face a team in Queensland Country who will be just as desperate as the Rams themselves. And things aren’t going much better off the field for the Rams either.
After having the training lights turned off on them last week, the Rams this week found themselves locked out of their Concord Oval training base, because of its proximity to the tunnelling starting point for the WestConnex arterial road infrastructure project in Sydney’s inner west.
On the field, the Rams are hopeful that some – if not all – of their injured group of quality players will be back in the orange and blue this week. Backrowers Jed Holloway and Marcus Carbone will all be welcome additions for the 2015, as would flyhalf Jai Ayoub, who was a late withdrawal last week in Canberra. Rohan Saifoloi looked promising in the No.10 last week, but he’ll likely continue his learning this week off the bench. Hooker Hugh Roach is sad to be still a few weeks away.
My Queensland Country spies were very excited this week, barely waiting for my call to tell me Radike Samo would be good to go this weekend, after being forced off early last weekend in Toowoomba with concerns about his jaw. Chris Feauai-Sautia remains in some doubt, while prop Haydn Hirsimaki will also miss the game.
Hirsimaki’s absence means a starting berth for one of Reuben Leilua or Taniela Tupou, which will be confirmed this morning. Country feel like they’ve been playing pretty well, and are a better side than the table indicates, and it’s certainly hard to believe they’re 0-3 currently.
Late update: I’m advertising for new Queensland Country spies. Radike Samo was ruled out of the game on Wednesday evening.
Teams to be announced today. Referee is Andrew Lees.
Tickets: Available at the gate – adults $15 and kids under 15 free – or head to www.ramsrugby.com.au.
Saturday: Perth Spirit v University of Canberra Vikings at McGillivray Oval, UWA Park, Perth; 5:30pm AEST
It’s a massive game for the Spirit, there’s no other way of putting it. Even though they scraped into the finals last season with three wins in a very tight mid-table group, I have my doubts that even four wins will be enough in 2015. And for Perth, that means they need to win every game from here on to repeat their 2014 effort.
But in their way are the Vikings, who were clinical in their disposal of the Rams last weekend in Canberra. It’s clear after just two games that the 2015 Vikings are almost nothing like the team that underwhelmed everyone last season.
Perth, happily, will welcome back some very handy players this week, with Angus Cottrell back in the side, and in for his first game in 2015 as captain. Tetera Faulkner is also back at tighthead, ready to lead what I thought was the best scrum in the NRC in the opening weeks.
Flyhalf Luke Burton is back from a smashed nose, suffered in the first few minutes of the season, and that will push wunderkind Nick Jooste back to the bench. Junior Rasolea shuffles in one to 12, with Ammon Matuauto coming into 13 and Kyle Godwin having a week off. Ryan Louwrens will also start at scrumhalf, with Ian Prior dropping back to the bench.
Canberra tell me that Aidan Toua pulled up well last week, and is in the mix to start, while big winger Lausi’i Taliauli, who was forced off with a hamstring complaint, will travel with the side to Perth on Friday morning.
In what is expected to be a largely unchanged side – and why would they – hooker Robbie Abel returns to Perth, where he spent two seasons in the Force system, and scored six tries in Perth’s last six games last season, in their run to the NRC Final. The Vikings tell me they’ve lost only two of 32 lineouts on Abel’s throw in their two games so far, just one of the reasons their set piece is so strong.
Teams to be announced today. The referee is Ed Martin.
Tickets: Available at the gate at McGillivray Oval, where the Spirit want you down there in big numbers to #FillTheHill. Adults $15 and kids under 16 free.
Melbourne Rising have the bye.
Table at the start of Round 4
Brisbane City 14
Sydney 13
Uni of Canberra 10
Melbourne 8
North Harbour 5
NSW Country 4
Greater Sydney 1
Queensland Country 1
Perth 0
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett. So sorry this is late. Was little tied up earlier. Rays unlucky with the Red card. Surprised Stars lost, but Eagles did alright. Rays starting to harness their players. Wish they had more time to jel. QC. Less difficult to say they are the 2nd string Qld team Vikings, not many holes in their team. Except the usual 60' gaps that start to appear. Ita V! Give that man a cap. Good to see Toua and Albert A, wearing red again. Diff tram again Im a little disappointed with Spirit, considering the available talent. there's a few more rounds to go. Scrums being packed too low
RobC
Roar Guru
Boris. What's not to like? I mean it's just like SOO! Qld doing the job. Oh wait minute, there's the Reds... ;)
mudjimba
Guest
Loving the NRC but not happy Fox won't play all games. I could watch all the ITM & Curry cup games I want to but I don't. Haven't seen all the games but think Brisneyland City has the most improvement to make - this week being their best game so far. Qld Country definitely most improved on last year.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
How many easts and rand wick supporters are flying to tamworth to watch their players.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well Brett they certainly looked less than impressive at times last night still. Ball retention was terrible.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Ha ha. Up there with Singapore, the Brisbane of Asia!
Brett McKay
Expert
And NSW Country, too, with a few changes in the pack as mentioned. Young Ned Hanigan switches to blindside with Tahs lock Sam Lousi back.. CSU NSW Country Eagles coach Darren Coleman has named his side to play the Sydney Stars in Tamworth on Saturday afternoon in round four Buildcorp National Rugby Championship. CSU NSW Country Eagles team to play Sydney Stars 1) Jerome Vaai 2) Tom Sexton 3) Dashville Kuate 4) Tom Staniforth 5) Sam Lousi 6) Ned Hanigan 7) Mark Baldwin 8) Sam Figg 9) Mitch Short 10) Jono Lance 11) Joel Brooks 12) Dave Horwitz 13) Charlie Clifton 14) Jerome McKenzie 15) Andrew Kellaway Reserves: 16) Ryan Dalziel 17) Dane Maraki 18) Andrew Collins 19) Nick Palmer 20) Sam Croke 21) Dave Harvey 22) Will Fay 23) Jack Pennington
Brett McKay
Expert
more teams: Perth Spirit now, and I erred in saying Ian Prior would come off the bench; he's being rested completely, with Nedlands scrummie Michael Ruru - who Tai McIsaac named as a player to watch before the season started - to come off the bench.. (I even had 'Prior resting' in my notes!) COTTRELL TO LEAD SPIRIT AGAINST VIKINGS Hard running back rower Angus Cottrell, will captain the Perth Spirit for the first time this year in the round four clash against the UC Canberra Vikings at McGillivray Oval on Saturday, 12 September. The Perth based team is still trying for their first win of the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) season and have their work cut out for them, with the Vikings sitting second on the table after back-to-back wins. Spirit head coach Tai McIsaac, continues to make changes to the side, trying to find the right combinations with 10 changes to the team that lost to the Sydney Stars last Saturday. The front row has been bolstered with the return of in-form loosehead Francois van Wyk, while coming into tighthead will be Wallaby prop Tetera Faulkner for his second game of the season. Cottesloe product Adrian Hall has been rewarded for his good form coming off the bench last week, with a starting spot and he’ll be pairing up with fellow Gull Ross Haylett-Petty. Future Force member Kane Koteka makes his comeback from a quad strain and will play alongside Associate’s Al Rovira and captain Angus Cottrell in the back row. Luke Burton makes his long awaited return in the 10 jersey after badly breaking his nose in the first five minutes of the round one clash against Brisbane City. Associates outside centre Ammon Matuauto, will make his second start for the year at 13 and will be keen to replicate his last minute game winning try from round one in last years competition. Brad Lacey and Joondalup’s Maalonga Konelio will start on the wing, with Kalamunda’s Daley Harper running on at fullback. McIsaac said the team is not happy with the performances they have been putting out on the field and will look to rectify that this weekend. “We haven’t been playing a full 80 minutes and it’s showed the last two weeks, we’ve come out firing but haven’t been able to hold off and finish the game.” “We’ll look to be a lot cleaner this week, not just in skills but also around the ground with the decisions we make at crucial points in the game.” “Our forward pack will need to be at its best this week, the Vikings will come at us hard in that area, but I’m confident we can match up well. With Tet and Francois coming back in the fold, we’re looking pretty strong there.” 1. Francois van Wyk UWA 2. Anaru Rangi Nedlands 3. Tetera Faulkner Wanneroo 4. Adrian Hall Cottesloe 5. Ross Haylett-Petty Cottesloe 6. Alex Rovira Associates 7. Kane Koteka Wests Scarborough 8. Angus Cottrell (C) Associates 9. Ryan Louwrens Cottesloe 10. Luke Burton UWA 11. Brad Lacey Wests Scarborough 12. Solomoni Rasolea Cottesloe 13. Ammon Matuauto Associates 14. Maalonga Konelio Joondalup 15. Daley Harper Kalamunda Reserves 16. Conan Houkamau Wests Scarborough 17. Joe Savage Palmyra 18. Oliver Hoskins Cottesloe 19. Riley Winter Wests Scarborough 20. Auega Seumanutafa Kalamunda 21. Michael Ruru Nedlands 22. Nick Jooste Hale School 23. Davis Tavita Nedlands
Brett McKay
Expert
I suppose it's like Ch.7 not promoting the Nine news, NMP. The ARU wanted the profiles and articles exclusively, and I can understand that. And likewise, The Roar would prefer you stayed here, than click elsewhere and leave. You can subscribe and get notifications from www.BMcSport.com.au, though... ;)
nmpcart
Guest
Brett, are you not allowed to have a brief intro to those articles published here and then a link to the NRC site for the full thing? Your features there have been very informative and I enjoy them but wondering why you can't push them more from the Roar. If anyone has missed them, go to the Buildcorp NRC site and under News check out Brett's articles on Gill, Zane Hilton the Rising coach and Tai McIssac the Spirit coach - all give a good insight into how the comp is developing the newer players.
Dan
Guest
Terrible slurs against one of the world's great cities. No one appreciates Stefan's sky needle or the Boondall Entertainment centre. However Brisbane has Ballymore, the Wrigley field of Australian rugby. Now lets get behind Brisbane City and unleash hell tonight. Goooooooooooooooo you good things.
nmpcart
Guest
Interesting changes to Qld Country and Vikings sides - disappointing for QC to lose Perese for the season as he has been sensational, and surprised the Chris F-S is out for the season too. The Vikings changes don't really lose a lot - they've still got Butler, Smiler, Enever and Ita Vaea who have been very good for them, and Aidan Toua is a pretty good newcomer to the side and gets to join his former Brisbane Easts team mates in Butler and Enever, Lomax's father used to be the Kiwis RL captain I'm pretty sure (when he was with the Raiders) so interesting to see how he goes. The development of front rowers in the NRC is a positive thing so it is good that the Vikings have left out Alexander to give an emerging player a go.
Rugby stu
Guest
Interesting changes, this comp is really testing and broadening Australia's rugby depth, a massive plus for the future.
Rugby stu
Guest
I thought our slogan was officially "Yeah it's not Sydney or Melbourne but it's alright aye" Or "Check out the river then head straight to the coast aye"
Brett McKay
Expert
Canberra Vikings now, and when I said "In what is expected to be a largely unchanged side..." I of course meant that there would be wholesale changes.. :mad: Evidently, the Vikings have taken a leaf out of the Perth 2014 playbook, and will leave their Super Rugby stars in Canberra.. A number of changes named for UC Vikings match with Perth Spirit The University of Canberra Vikings have made a number of changes to the side for Saturday’s Buildcorp National Rugby Championship match against the Perth Spirit. There are nine changes to the 23-man side from the one that defeated the Greater Sydney Rams 58-26 last week at Viking Park. Three players, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Frankie Fainifo and Aidan Toua will make their starting debut for the UC Vikings while Albert Anae, Gareth Clouston and Tyrel Lomax will be making their NRC debut for the side from the bench. For Anae, it will be his first match on Australian soil since linking with the Brumbies and UC Vikings from Italian club Benetton Treviso. For Clouston, it will be a chance to impress after training with the UC Vikings in 2014 and 2015 and captaining his club side Tuggeranong to this year’s John I Dent Cup Grand Final. As for Lomax, the match will be his first in the NRC. The son of former Canberra Raiders hard-man John Lomax represented the Australian U20 side earlier this year and has impressed in his two outings for the ACT Griffins in 2015, crossing for two tries. In other changes to the side that thrashed the Rams, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin replaces Ben Alexander at tighthead prop. The in-form Jordan Smiler moves into the second row to replace Rory Arnold and Oakman-Hunt, who scored his first NRC try last week, will start in the No. 6. Frankie Fainifo who also crossed the stripe against the Rams, is a straight swap for Jerome Niumata who moves to the bench, while Aidan Toua replaces Christian Lealiifano at fullback. In the only other change to the squad, youngster Mitch Third has been recalled to the bench after playing for the ACT Griffins last week. The UC Vikings currently sit in third on the competition ladder with two wins and two bonus points to start the season following a first round bye. The Vikings take on the Perth Spirit at the University of WA on Saturday at 3:30pm (WA time). Perth Spirit v UC Vikings, Saturday 12 September 2015. 1. Allan Alaalatoa 2. Robbie Abel 3. Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin 4. Jordan Smiler 5. Blake Enever 6. Dean Oakman-Hunt 7. Jarrad Butler (c) 8. Ita Vaea 9. Joe Powell 10. Rodney Iona 11. Lausii Taliauli 12. James Dargaville 13. Nigel Ah Wong 14. Francis Fainifo 15. Aidan Toua RESERVES 16. Albert Anae 17. Sione Taula 18. Tyrel Lomax 19. Rowan Perry 20. Gareth Clouston 21. Brent Hamlin 22. Mitch Third 23. Jerome Niumata
Brett McKay
Expert
Teams trickling out, first Queensland Country, with a couple of key players out as I mentioned: The Bond University Queensland Country team that will take on the Greater Sydney Rams in Round 4 of the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) this Saturday, September 12, has been named. The match will see a number of players make their Queensland Country debuts and starting-debuts at Sydney’s Foreshaw Park, including Sunshine Coast local and Easts Tigers fullback Elliott Hagen. Hagen, who featured at fullback for 2015 BLK Queensland Premier Rugby minor-premiers Easts, will start in the 15 jersey, while 2014 Country representative Pierce Fitzgerald will make his first appearance of the 2015 season, starting on the wing. After coming off the bench last week against Brisbane City, University of Queensland flyer Tom Banks will make his NRC starting debut on the wing to round-out the back-three. Fellow University player and former Bowen Mud Crab, Reuben Leilua, will also make his starting debut at loose-head prop with Country stalwart Haydn Hirsimaki unavailable for selection this week. Toowoomba product Matt Gordon will return to the side at inside centre, moving Campbell Magnay to outside centre. University of Queensland lock Sam Reiser and Souths halves-duo Scott Malolua and Teti Tela have been called into the side due to a number of injuries and are in-line for potential Queensland Country and NRC debuts. Following last week’s match in Toowoomba, Country have lost Chris Feauai-Sautia (shoulder) and Scott Gale (Knee) for the remainder of the NRC, as well as young-flyer Izaia Perese, who suffered a significant knee-injury which is likely to keep him sidelined for up to eight-months. Duncan Paia’aua is also unavailable for selection and will be rested as a precautionary measure due to concussion. In the forwards Radike Samo and Richie Arnold have also been ruled out of selection due to injury. Head coach Jason Gilmore said while the loss of these players is disappointing, it has provided opportunity for others. “The loss of Scott (Gale) and Chris (Feauai-Sautia) obviously means we lose some experience within our squad, and Izaia (Perese) and Duncan (Paia’aua) have been two of our best in the opening rounds,” Gilmore said. “In saying that, we’ve got Hagen and Fitzgerald coming into the starting line-up and both bring a level of experience with them. Hagen has played in the ITM Cup previously with the Bay of Plenty and Fitzgerald earned five caps for Country during the 2014 season. “We also have the halves pairing from the 2015 Queensland Premier Rugby winning Souths side in Malolua and Tela coming into the squad, as well as Sam Reiser, so these players now have the chance to test themselves at the next level. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the new players coming into the side perform and I know that the team will continue to show grit throughout the competition as the players are proud of the Queensland Country Rugby community that they represent. “While we’re yet to claim our first win of the competition, we’ve competed well against three of the top teams in the opening three rounds. The team really took it to a strong City outfit in Toowoomba last week and we’ll be looking to build upon that performance once again in Sydney this Saturday.” The match between Queensland Country and the Greater Sydney Rams kicks-off at 3:00pm at Sydney’s Foreshaw Park and will be live streamed via www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/nrc/nrcondemand. Queensland Country side to face Greater Sydney Rams on Saturday, 12 September: Name - Club/Region 1. Reuben Leilua – University of Queensland** 2. Saia Fainga’a – Reds/GPS 3. Sef Fa’agase – Reds/University of Queensland/Beaudesert 4. Phil Potgieter – University of Queensland/Toowoomba 5. Milton Sikuea – Bond University/Gold Coast 6. Maclean Jones – University of Queensland/St George 7. Conor Mitchell – University of Queensland/Sunshine Coast 8. Jack Cornelsen – University of Queensland/Gold Coast 9. James Tuttle – Reds/GPS 10. Sam Greene – Reds/Brothers 11. Pierce Fitzgerald – Brothers/Townsville 12. Matt Gordon – Easts/Toowoomba 13. Campbell Magnay – Reds/GPS 14. Tom Banks – Reds/University of Queensland** 15. Elliott Hagen – Easts/Sunshine Coast* Reserves 16. Alex Mafi – Reds/Bond University/Gold Coast 17. AJ Campbell – Easts/Gold Coast 18. Taniela Tupou – Reds/Brothers 19. Sam Reiser – University of Queensland*** 20. Tyrell Barker – Easts 21. Scott Malolua – Souths*** 22. Dion Taumata – Bond University/Gold Coast 23. Teti Tela – Souths*** *NRC and Queensland Country debut **NRC and Queensland Country starting debut ***Potential NRC and Queensland Country debut
Brett McKay
Expert
haha, I expect that will be the first item ticked off..
Boris
Guest
“Brisbane , it’s Adelaide with a bigger river” It's got pizzazz! Queensland Tourism could use it!
RT
Guest
The Paris of Asia .... Good luck with that. Personally I don't think that's going to become a thing. How about "Brisbane , it's Adelaide with a bigger river"?
Boris
Guest
Yep I'll let you know how the wine and food goes as well.