The Melbourne Rising will host the newest team to the NRC, the Fijian Drua, in the second round of the season. Join The Roar for live scores from the match being played September 9, at 3pm (AEST).
The Fijian Drua have all the attention of the competition as the newest team. In their first outing against Brisbane City, they displayed the typical Fijian flair on attack, running in six tries with 12 line breaks and 30 defenders beaten. Despite these outstanding statistics, the Drua lost the game 45-36.
Melbourne Rising had a tough first round match up against the defending premiers the Perth Spirit. Despite putting in a strong performance the Spirit ran away with the game, with the final score 45-33.
Peceli Nacebe – Fijian Drua: The flyhalf anchored his team’s attacking flair and led from the front. He opened the scoring, with two tries in the first 20 minutes of the game including a breathtaking finish off some brilliant counter attack. He also helped with Kini Douglas’ shaky kicking game, nailing a conversion late in the game to keep the pressure on Brisbane City.
Nick Stirzaker – Melbourne Rising: With a host of players called up for Wallabies duties, the scrum half will need to have a very strong game. He played well against the Spirit, displaying good awareness off a quick penalty to make a line break and set up Marika Korobiete for his second try. As a Super Rugby mainstay, Stirzaker has all the experience to lead his team to victory.
The rising have had a strong history in the NRC, making the semi-finals on several occasions. This weekend, however, they will be missing a wealth of experience with the likes of Lopeti Timani, Reece Hodge and Korobiete back in the Wallaby camp.
The Fijian Drua should channel their passion and record a solid win away from home.
Drua to win 35-24
Simon Douch
Roar Guru
He had a cracker of a game didn't he! It's a shame Geoff, especially when considering the creative shortcomings of our current 10
Geoff Parkes
Expert
apologies h, you obviously take life a little too seriously to cope with any satirical observation on Australia's depth at 10...
Israel
Guest
Great result and good team effort, looks like the coaching staff are doing their homework and the players putting on a splendid rugby display, Vinaka Fiji Drua!
hauzenscher
Guest
piss off geoff, nacebe is fijian and must play for fiji. stop poaching
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Full-time, Rising 24, Fijian Drua 45 Great day for Fijian rugby, as the Drua notch up their first win in the NRC!! For a side that didn't have a lot of preparation time, they look to be coming to hand quickly, very solid scrum, patient play on the pick and go, and pace to burn on the counter attack. Flyhalf Peceli Nacebe is a potential superstar, seems to have all of the skills, perhaps lacking only one thing... an Australian passport! Tough day for the Rising, their scrum came second, and they were hammered often and hard by the Fijian defence. When they kept shape they looked good, but as the game got a little looser in the 2nd half, they were exposed for pace. There is some promising local talent coming through however, Hunter Paisami gave it everything in the centres, and expect the Rising to improve as the competition goes on.
Tim Rogers
Roar Rookie
Got to admit FIJI were exciting pittynit didn't have the crowd to match. It will be interesting the atmosphere when they play their first home game.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
75 mins, Rising 24, Fijian Drua 45 Good reward for young Rising flyhalf Jack McGregor, but Fijian Drua take control again, a clever grubber through brings up the sealer! And check out the cheeky kick-off and regather by Peceli Nacebe! Looked like a grubber instead of a drop-kick but fantastic audacity, ref Berry was happy to let it go.
Ex force fan
Guest
Scandenfreugde... I am enjoying watching Fiji beat Melbourne.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
62mins, Rising 19, Fijian Drua 40 And the Fijian party has really started! Spectacular kick and regather and despite a great cover tackle by Jack Maddocks, superb support play delivers another Fiji try under the posts! Fijian Drua well on top now.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
60 mins, Rising 19, Fijian Drua 33 And now its Nacebe on the counter-attack! Rising winger Semisi Tupou bursts through, one to beat, but the ball goes loose and Nacebe streaks away for a try under the posts!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
58 mins, Rising 19, Fijian Drua 26 Power running from Fiji up the centre, before the sweet skills of Nacebe opens up the last line of defence!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
44 mins, Rising 19, Fijian Drua 19 Great reply from the Rising, Jack Maddocks finding space to score off an inside ball, after a good build-up.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
42m Rising 12, Fijian Drua 19 And just like that, it opens up for the impressive flyhalf Peceli Nacebi! Bad miss by Hanson but great elusive running by the Fijian playmaker from 60m out.
Stu B
Guest
Well I'm sitting in Perth watching this game and some OK rugby on display but most importantly I hope Banker Clyne and little Willy are watching the amazing turnout of rugby fans to watch the Melbourne Rising ,wives,girlfriends,120 fans and some Fijian supporters,we all hope the Bankers blind support for Victorian rugby has not been misplaced!!!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Halftime, Rising 12, Fijian Drua 12 Drua starting to get on top towards the end of the half, but the Rising defence dug in - committed tackling and some critical ruck turnovers. There's going to be some very sore bodies after this - on both sides. Plenty of huge defence, none bigger than a bone-cruncher by Rising centre Hunter Paisami, just before halftime. Rising are being careful not to provide too many counter-attack opportunities, forcing Fiji to play up the middle more than what the crowd would like, but it feels like as fatigue starts to set in the game will open up more in the second half. Really tough contest so far, any notion that the NRC resembles touch rugby isn't supported by what we're seeing here!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
25mins, Rising 12, Fijian Drua 12 Fiji impressing with forward power in close but Rising have the edge when they keep their shape and get some continuity. Nice team try to James Hanson to tie it up again.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
17mins, Rising 7, Fijian Drua 7 developing into a nice game, Rising seem to have weathered the early storm, Fiji putting in some heavy work in defence, Sione Tuipolotu running hard and straight for the Rising.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Nice and physical early...