The Perth Spirit handed Queensland Country yet another defeat in the highest scoring game of the NRC so far, winning by 30 points.
Final score
Perth Spirit 66
Queensland Country 36
Perth Spirit will be looking to break into the top four of the NRC ladder when they host last-placed Queensland Country.
Coming off a six-point win over the Western Sydney Rams in their last match, Perth Spirit will be looking to put an inconsistent start to the season behind them and win two-in-a-row for the first time in 2016.
All of the wash-up from Wallabies vs Argentina:
» LORD: When Genia fires, the Wallabies fire
» Pocock sidelined by broken hand
» Five talking points
» What changes should the Wallabies make?
» DIY Player ratings
» Read the full match report
» Watch all the highlights
The Spirit were forced to hold on for the last 12 minutes of the game, but managed to keep out the Rams for the 30-24 win in Sydney.
Perth will be welcoming back a number of players for their second home game of 2016, with Wallabies No.8 Ben McCalman, Ross Haylett-Petty, Ian Prior and Marcel Brache all back in the squad.
Without a win all season, Queensland Country know it’s do-or-die time if they wish to have a chance at playing finals rugby.
Country remain without Brad Thorn, but Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will get his first start for Queensland.
Toutai Kefu has made seven changes to the side that lost to the Sydney Rays last week, in a big attempt to get something out of this season.
The last time these two sides played was in the 2015 season. It was a high scoring affair, but Perth Spirit ran away with the game to take the 30-point win away from home.
Prediction
The Spirit are at home and also at full strength. It will take something special for Queensland Country to beat them, and they just don’t look like a side that can produce that in 2016.
Perth Spirit by 12
Kick-off: 3pm AEST
Venue: UWA Sports Park
Table position: Spirit fifth, Country eighth
Last meeting: Country 34 – 64 SpiritPERTH: Laione Mulikihaamea, Harry Scoble, Shambeckler Vui, Kieran Stringer, Onehunga Havili, Ross Haylett-Petty, Kane Koteka, Ben McCalman, Ryan Louwrens, Jono Lance (c), Eric Vasukicakau, Bill Meakes, Ammon Matuauto, Marcel Brache, Luke Morahan.
Bench: Tom Sheminant, Mees Erasmus, Jermaine Ainsley, Russell Burges, Hadleigh May, Ian Prior, Ben Tapuai, AJ AlatimuQUEENSLAND COUNTRY: Sef Fa’agase Alex Casey, Kirwan Sanday, Izack Rodda, Phil Potgieter, Ted Postal, Conor Mitchell (c), Angus Scott-Young, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Mitch Third, Liam McNamara, Duncan Paia’aua, Izaia Perese, Tyrone Lefau, Tom Banks.
Bench: Feleti Kaitu’u, Ben Daley, Taniela Tupou, Maclean Jones, Jack Cornelsen, James Tuttle, Mack Mason, Tom Pincus
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