The Western Sydney Rams will be looking to end their 2016 NRC season on a high, and with the Horan-Little Shield, when they meet the top-of-the-table New South Wales Country Eagles.
After an incredible 38-point win over Melbourne Rising in their last game, the Rams will be looking for another upset in the final week of the competition.
The Rams started off incredibly strong against Melbourne, and will need to do so again in order to take out an in-form Country Eagles side.
Western Sydney have opted to make just a single change, with David Minute returning to outside centre to replace Apolosi Latunipulu.
Coming off their first loss of the season, the Country Eagles will be eager to get a win and secure their place as minor premiers.
The Country Eagles’ loss was by far the upset of the season, with last-placed Queensland Country getting their first win of 2016 by a 2-point margin in a thrilling affair.
A win for the Country Eagles would not only guarantee top spot, but also the Horan-Little Shield, which the Rams took from the Rising last week.
Andrew Kellaway returns at fullback for the Country Eagles, which is the most significant of the nine changes made from last week.
Last time these two sides met was in round one of 2015, where the Country Eagles took the 1-point away from home.
Prediction
The Rams played incredible football last week, but they haven’t had a bad season overall. The Country Eagles are coming off their first loss, and will be eager to make sure it was their only loss.
NSW Country Eagles by 10
Kick-off: 1pm AEDT
Venue: Concord Oval, Sydney
Table position: Rams sixth, Country Eagles first
Last meeting: Rams 31 – 32 Country EaglesWESTERN SYDNEY (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Lolohea, Senio Toleafoa, Will Skelton, Rhys Allen, Tupou Sopoaga, Tyrone Viiga, Waldo Wessels, Mitch Walton, Luke Smart, Paul Asquith (c), David Minute, Roland-Keni Kotobolavu, Albert Nikoro.
Bench: Aaron Blacklock, Andrew Tuala, Jack Payne, Tom Alexander, Jodan Tuapou, Harrison Goddard, Selesitino Kalounivale, Vatemo Ravouvou.NSW COUNTRY: Paddy Ryan (c), Folau Fainga’a, Sam Needs, Ryan McCauley, Tim Buchanan, Sam Figg, Rowan Perry, Sam Ward, Jake Gordon, Andrew Deegan, Alex Newsome, Kyle Godwin, David Horwitz, Reece Robinson, Andrew Kellaway.
Bench: Luke Holmes, Jed Gillespie, Cameron Betham, Rohan O’Regan, Tom Cusack, Tayler Adams, Apakuki Ma’afu, Angus Roberts.
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