The NSW Country Eagles have gone to the top of the ladder with a big win over the Sydney Rays on Saturday.
Final score
Sydney Rays 16
NSW Country Eagles 36
The unbeaten Sydney Rays will be looking to maintain top spot on the NRC table when they host the fellow unbeaten New South Wales Country Eagles.
Coming off wins over the Western Sydney Rams, Perth Spirit and Queensland Country in their last fixture, the Sydney Rays have proven themselves to be title contenders in 2016.
The Rays managed to hold off a late Queensland Country attack after a dominant showing, taking the eight-point win.
The Rays will be boosted by the return of Jack Dempsey, who has served his suspension. However, Richard Woolf and Harry Jones will both be out with injuries.
Also undefeated, the NSW Country Eagles will be looking to leapfrog the Rays on the ladder and take top spot.
After defeating the two 2015 grand finalists in consecutive weeks (Brisbane City and University of Canberra Vikings), the Country Eagles narrowly defeated Melbourne Rising last week in a thrilling affair.
Melbourne Rising rallied late against the Country Eagles, but the NSW side managed to hang on for the 2-point win.
The Country Eagles will be without Andrew Kellaway and also Tom Robertson, who is away on Wallabies duty.
Prediction
Two unbeaten NSW teams will lock horns, and on paper it looks like it is set to be a thrilling match. It should be close no matter which way it goes.
Rays by 2
Kick-off: 1pm AEST
Venue: Pittwater Rugby park, Sydney
Table position: Sydney Rays first, NSW Country Eagles second
Last meeting: NSW Country Eagles 50 – 24 Sydney RaysSYDNEY (1-15): Rory O’Connor/Ezra Luxton, Damien Fitzpatrick, Lawrance Hunting, Connor Vest, Nick Palmer, Jack Dempsey, Will Miller, Michael Wells, Matt Lucas ©, Angus Sinclair, Johnathan Malo/Josh Turner, Irae Simone, Con Foley, Josh Turner/Seb Wileman, Cameron Clark.
Bench: James Hilterbrand, Rory O’Connor/Ezra Luxton, Mitch Lewis, Adrian Hall/Michael Smith, James Brown, Dewet Roos, Sam Lane, Seb Wileman/Josh Turner/Dennis Pili-Gaitau.NSW COUNTRY: Paddy Ryan ©, Tolu Latu, Sam Needs, Ned Hanigan, Tim Buchanan, Sam Figg, Rowan Perry, Sam Ward, Jake Gordon, Andrew Deegan, Alex Newsome, Kyle Godwin/Tom Hill, David Horwitz, Reece Robinson, Angus Roberts.
Bench: Jed Gillespie, Folau Fa’ainga, Cameron Betham, Ryan McCauley, Mark Baldwin, Sam Croke, Tayler Adams, Tom Hill/Kyle Godwin, Tom Cusack (one to be omitted)
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Actually the Rays do have several contracted players. Off the top of my head the Rays have Jones, Dempsey (though neither of these two played), Lucas, Wells, Fitzpatrick, Clark and Simone. They just ran up against the best overall unit in this years competition.
Boomeranga
Guest
I agree on the online option. It's great value. Eagles are a good side at this level. Waratahs have some good youngsters on the way. I'd like them to pick up Newsome as well. Rays looks a bit out classed, but then they are a largely amateur team.
Paul
Guest
Good match. Hate to plug Foxtel as they're a pack of theives, but the online $50 a year thingo seems the goods. I don't mind waiting a day for Super rugby etc. And this midday live games a good watch
Working Class Rugger
Guest
It's been a really good game so far. Played with great pace and intent. Plenty of attack but with the competitions two stingiest defences only three tries thus far. At HT the Eagles lead 14-8. If you're not watching you're missing out.