NRC Round 5: Rushed double-header history round

History will be made this weekend in the National Rugby Championship, when Concord Oval hosts the competition’s first ever double header.

NSW Country will play Perth Spirit in the first match at 1pm, followed by Western Sydney playing Queensland Country at 3pm.

The double-header came about after Orange’s Endeavour Oval was deemed unsuitable for play on Wednesday, after a full day of Central West Rugby grand finals were played last weekend in persistent rain, which saw the playing surface torn to shreds.

The other alternate venue, Wade Park – where the Eagles played a game in 2014 – was no better, after the Group 10 rugby league grand finals were played the same weekend in the same conditions. Orange has had more than 220 millimetres of rain for September, of which 36mm fell on Wednesday; the grounds just aren’t getting a chance to dry out.

With no other ground in Orange available for the same reasons, the game had to be taken back to Sydney, simply because Perth were going to be spending Friday in transit. The best solution became a double header at Concord, for which the Rams deserve a lot of credit for shuffling another big day of Pacific Islands rugby, in order to fit the Country-Perth game in.

So if you’re in Sydney, the message is simple – get to Concord!

SATURDAY: NSW Country Eagles v Perth Spirit; Concord Oval, Sydney, 1:00pm AEST
Amidst the search for a venue, the Eagles managed to name a team, too. Darren Coleman has brought Tom Cusack and Mark Baldwin into the XV, with Sam Figg now back with the Aussie Sevens setup, and Rohan Perry cooling his jets on the bench. Still no Andrew Kellaway, further fuelling my suspicion that he’s being ‘managed’ by the Waratahs now. At the time of writing, the Eagles still had Tolu Latu listed at hooker, too, which obviously won’t be happening, as he’ll be getting on a plane to South Africa with the Wallabies on Saturday.

My understanding is Sydney Uni hooker Folau Fa’ainga will start after playing off the bench to date, and Easts’ Clarrie Moore will come onto the bench.

For Perth, Ben McCalman has remained in Australia and will go around again, Manihera Eden gets another start at fullback for Luke Morahan, who might be a chance of making the Wallabies’ 23 against the ‘Boks, and Ben Tapuai is back into the no.12 jersey. Scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens is sitting this one out, with Michael Ruru getting a start, while lock Ross Haylett-Petty also starts after a solid 60 minutes off the bench last week.

NSW COUNTRY (1-15): Paddy Ryan (c), Folau Fa’ainga, Sam Needs, Ned Hanigan, Tim Buchanan, Tom Cusack, Mark Baldwin, Sam Ward, Jake Gordon, Tayler Adams, Alex Newsome, Kyle Godwin, David Horwitz, Reece Robinson, Angus Roberts.
Bench: Clarrie Moore, Jed Gillespie, Cameron Betham, Rohan O’Regan, Sam Croke, Rowan Perry, Andrew Deegan, Tom Hill.

PERTH: Laione Mulikihaamea, Harry Scoble, Shambeckler Vui, Kieran Stringer, Ross Haylett-Petty, Brynard Stander, Hadleigh May, Ben McCalman, Michael Ruru, Jono Lance (c), Eric Vasukicakau, Ben Tapuai, Ammon Matuauto, Marcel Brache, Manihera Eden.
Bench: Tom Sheminant, Nick McLennan, Jermaine Ainsley, Onehunga Havili, Russell Burges, Ian Prior, AJ Alatimu, Louie David.

Western Sydney Rams v Queensland Country; Concord Oval, Sydney, 3:00pm AEST
The table says these two teams are winless, but they’re playing better than that, and I think this might be one of the matches of the weekend.

The Rams will have Will Skelton for the remainder of the NRC, you’d think, after he was left out of the Wallabies’ touring squad. Southern Districts people are no longer wondering ‘where’s Waldo?’, with Waldo Wessels coming into the XV for Scott Gale.

Toutai Kefu was obviously listening to the Eurythmics this week, because the big news is that finally, Brad Thorn is indeed in his side. I loved the stat that emerged yesterday, that the combined age of the two starting locks – Izack Rodda and Phil Potgieter – is only 29 days older than Thorn’s age! Taniela Tupou, James Tuttle, and Mack Mason are all back in the XV, but excitement machine Izaia Perese will not make the trip to Sydney.

And just as I suffered yesterday, I challenge you to now get said Eurythmics song out of your head.

WESTERN SYDNEY: Matt Gibbon, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Lolohea, Will Skelton, Senio Toleafoa, Rhys Allen, Tupou Sopoaga, Tyrone Viiga, Waldo Wessels, Paul Asquith (c), Luke Smart, David Minute, Apolosi Latunipulu, Roland-Keni Kotobolavu, Albert Nikoro.
Bench: Nathan Charles, Andrew Tuala, Jack Payne, Tom Alexander, Jodan Tuapou, Harrison Goddard, Mitchell Walton, Denny Godinet.

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY: Sef Fa’agase Alex Casey, Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda, Phil Potgieter, Ted Postal, Maclean Jones, Angus Scott-Young, James Tuttle, Mack Mason, Liam McNamara, Duncan Paia’aua, Tyrone Lefau, Tom Pincus, Tom Banks.
Bench: Feleti Kaitu’u, Richie Asiata, Kirwan Sanday, Brad Thorn, Jack Cornelsen, Scott Malolua, Mitch Third, Matthew Gordon.

SUNDAY – Horan-Little Shield challenge: University of Canberra Vikings v Melbourne Rising; Viking Park, Canberra, 1pm AEST
It’s a front row shake up the Vikings’ second Shield defence, with young gun Faalelei Sione getting his first start, and not-so-young gun Josh Mann-Rea coming in for a resting Robbie Abel at hooker. Rampaging no.8 OJ Noa gets a start against his old side, while Isaac Thompson comes back in at fullback – rather surprisingly, I must say – with Nick Jooste dropping back to the bench. Jordan Smiler is back from injury on the bench, and it’s a Vikings debut for former NSW Country winger Eli Sinoti.

Melbourne have made a thousand changes, among them prop Tom Moloney getting a debut professional start after 13 previous appearances off the bench for the Rebels and Rising, Tyrel Lomax getting a start against his former teammates, Jack Debreczeni back at 10 with Ben Meehan gone for the season, and Jonah Placid back at fullback. Toby Smith didn’t make the Wallabies’ cut, and will come off the bench.

UNI OF CANBERRA: Faalelei Sione, Josh Mann-Rea, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Blake Enever, Sam Carter, Tom Staniforth, Jarrad Butler (c), OJ Noa, Joe Powell, Robbie Coleman (c), Lausii Taliauli, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Andrew Smith, Andrew Robinson, Isaac Thompson.
Bench: Connal McInerney, Sione Taula, Ray Dobson, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Jordan Smiler, Brent Hamlin, Nick Jooste, Eli Sinoti.

MELBOURNE: Tom Moloney, Pat Leafa, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Jeffries, Steve Cummins, Jordy Reid, Ikapote Tupai, Harley Fox, Nic Stirzaker (c), Jack Debreczeni, Tom English, Lloyd Johansson, Sione Tuipulotu, Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano, Jonah Placid.
Bench: Siliva Siliva, Toby Smith, Fereti Sa’aga, Alex Toolis, Sione Taufa, Mick Snowden, Taiso Silafai-Leaana, Isaiah Leota.

Brisbane City v Sydney Rays; Ballymore Oval, Brisbane, 3:00pm AEST
It’s must-win time for the reigning premiers, who cannot afford a loss from here to be any chance of sneaking into the semis. But they’ll have to do it now without scrumhalf general Nick Frisby, who has been added to the Wallabies squad. Moses Sorovi comes in, as does Michael Gunn, after missing last week due to illness. Flanker Adam Korczyk will play his first match of 2016, returning via the bench from a serious knee injury.

Breaking Rays news – no players bracketed this week! Jack Dempsey comes back into blindside after Scott Fardy’s cameo last week, James Brown comes into lock for Nick Palmer, who tore a hammy last week, and Michael Smith starts at 7 for Will Miller. Harry Jones is back on the wing, Irae Simone will genuinely play inside centre this week after just wearing the no.12 jersey in previous outings, while Jonathan Malo starts at fullback, after Cam Clark’s head clash with Fardy last week resulted in a facial fracture.

Brumbies recruit Chris Alcock will make his Rays debut off the bench, as will 50-Test Belgian International prop – you read that right – Alain Miriallakis, who joined the Rays this week from Newcastle Waratahs.

BRISBANE CITY: Pettowa Paraka, Andrew Ready, Sam Talakai (c), David Findlay-Henaway, Lukhan Tui, Luke Beauchamp, Michael Gunn, Isi Naisarani, Moses Sorovi, Jake McIntyre, Alex Gibbon, Patrick James, Toby White, Chris Kuridrani, Brad Lacey.
Bench: Matt Mafi, Markus Vanzati, Feao Fotuaika, Criff Tupou, Adam Korczyk, Angus Fowler, Mitch Felsman, Jack De Guingand.

SYDNEY: Rory O’Connor, Damien Fitzpatrick, Lawrance Hunting, Connor Vest, James Brown, Jack Dempsey, Michael Smith, Michael Wells, Matt Lucas (c), Angus Sinclair, Harry Jones, Irae Simone, Con Foley, Josh Turner, Jonathan Malo.
Bench: James Hilterbrand, Ezra Luxton, Alain Miriallakis, Adrian Hall, Chris Alcock, Dewet Roos, Lochie Creagh, Seb Wileman.

REMINDER: How to watch the Fox Sports live streams

Fox Sports will broadcast both 3pm games each Saturday and Sunday (Ch.502), and the 1pm live streamed games can be viewed via www.FoxSports.com.au, via the Fox Sports mobile app, or via Apple TV or Telstra TV through the FOX SPORTS NOW app.

To access the streams, you’ll need a Fox Sports online account, which is not the same as your Foxtel pay-tv account.

If you have a Fox Sports (TV) subscription, or a digital subscription to any of the News Limited mastheads, you could be eligible for a free FOX SPORTS Digital Subscription that gives you full access to the NRC live streams. Head to www.FoxSports.com.au/fox-sports-subscription to find out more, create your online account, and then you’re away.

If you created an account last season to access the streams, then you’re already good to go.

Tips

Last week: Brett and The Crowd four each; Geoff much improved with three and Paddy two.

Geoff
“The best thing about tipping 0/4 in Round 3 is that the pressure is released, there is no reputation to protect anymore, so I can approach what is another very tough round this week without any fear.

“There’s no reason that NSW Country won’t keep winning, so it will be a long, fruitless trip for Perth Spirit. The toughest match to pick is between the cellar dwellers; despite the blowout scoreline last week, Queensland Country didn’t play badly at all – that said, I like the bruising Western Sydney Rams at home.

“Melbourne Rising to get the job done in Canberra, and the disappointing Brisbane City to bounce back at home.”

Paddy
“Perth Spirit have been good to me, so I’ll continue to be good to them. They keep earning my vote.

“Queensland Country I cannot work out for the life of me, so the safe option seems to be to tip against them. That’s what I’m doing, anyway.

“I like the Rising away this week. Don’t ask me why. And Brisbane City to cap things off over the Rays.”

Brett
I spoke to Perth coach Dwayne Nestor earlier this week, and he was a really nice bloke to talk to, which is why I didn’t tell him over the phone that I wasn’t picking his team this weekend.

It surely has to be this week for the Rams, and they probably should win comfortably, which of course means it’ll be close, or worse, they’ll get thumped.

Canberra should hold onto the Shield for another week, and while I’d love to see Brisbane City breath life back into their season, it ain’t going to happen without Nick Frisby.

The summary

The Crowd’s tips
Some close selections again for Round 5, and once again, The Crowd has followed my picks. At least they can’t catch me!

69.2% NSW Country Eagles
70.3% Western Sydney Rams
57.1% Uni of Canberra Vikings
54.9% Sydney Rays