The top-of-the-table Canberra Vikings host the Sydney Rays in Round 7. Join The Roar for a game preview and live scores from kickoff, which is at 2:30pm (AEDT).
Coming off three straight losses, the Rays are second-last on the ladder and scrambling to earn some pride in the final rounds of the season.
Last weekend, the Rays hosted Brisbane City and despite their best weren’t able to match City’s firepower out wide. They generally put in a solid performance, but in what is becoming a regular issue, they couldn’t finish the job.
Josh Turner was very busy at fullback, scoring a great try, in which he picked up a grubber kick from Irae Simmone to run away. He also made three clean breaks from ten carriers, plus four defenders beaten.
The Vikings are equal with the Drua on top of the table after a hard-fought win against the Melbourne Rising last time out.
The final score was 36-12, with the Canberra forwards absolutely dominating the game, in a performance which makes the Vikings favourites to win the competition.
In his return to the NRC, Rory Arnold paired with Blake Enever at second row and was the foundation for his pack’s dominance, showing the full extent of his international experience.
Prediction
If the Vikings’ pack plays anything like they did last week, it should be a comfortable victory. The backline is looking sharp, and continues to make the most of their chances.
Unfortunately for the Rays, they are staring at a possible fourth defeat in a row, so hopefully, desperation serves them well.
Vikings to win 33-11
baz
Guest
Lol love the idea of cutting all teams ranked higher than NSW teams
baz
Guest
LOL - love the idea of cutting any team ranked higher than a NSW team
ThugbyFan
Guest
The Rays are all over the shop this weekend. Their team list had multiple players in positions, so they didn't even know who was playing in the game till they got to the ground, caused either from injuries or loss of form. Conversely the Brumbies got three blokes back from the WB squad to play in this game. It was a mismatch. In my review on Friday I said of this game "The Rays just don't have the depth to challenge the Vikings. Looks like another 50+ game." Looking at the score, I would say I was correct. And CrazyHorse is right, in between his tears for Perth Spirit's stumble against the NSW Country he raises a good point. There should only be TWO teams from NSW, bringing it back to 8 teams. One reason why the NSW teams are so weak is a large number of Tahs players are in the WB squad. Anyhow its a much better competition if we have two NSW teams, say North of the harbour (to Tweed river) and South of the harbour to Vic border. So the players for North Harbour are drawn from Manly, Warringah, Norths, Gordon, Eastwood and West Harbour clubs OR anyone born north of Sydney and South is represented by the remaining clubs (University, Randwick, Penrith, Parramatta, Southern Districts and Easts) OR anyone born south of Sydney. That gives you geographics so fans can relate, and allows players to swap on the basis of where they were born. But of course, the NSWRU and the Shute Shield clubs want to destroy the NRC so no way will they let common sense come into the picture.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Sydney (we are so much better than any other state we'll have four teams when even Queensland only has two). Four terams not working. We'll cut it to three. Sydney teams still gettting thrashed. Anyone giving odds on two NSW teams next year, one for Sydney and of course the NSW Country Eagles. Or maybe the EARU will cut any non-NSW/Qld team that is competitive.