In the last game of the regular season of the NRC, Queensland Country, coming off a morale-boosting win in Fiji, host the Perth Spirit. Join The Roar for live scores and a game preview from 5pm (AEDT)
Under Brad Thorn, Country’s turnaround has been incredible.
Finishing last in 2016, the Queenslanders have the opportunity to finish the regular season on top of the table, which only adds to their coach’s already legendary career as a player.
Queensland’s rugged defence and tactical kicking held them in the game against the Drua. The Fijians made twice the number of metres with the ball in hand, and, confusingly, made 40 more tackles.
Taniela Tupou had another strong outing, making 40 metres off seven carries. The ‘Tongan Thor’ has continued his development this year and has played a critical part in Country’s winning form.
As for the Spirit, they will be ruing their game last weekend, having missed a perfect chance to secure a finals spot, suffering a shock 44-31 loss at home against the Rays and dropping to sixth on the ladder.
Only two rounds ago, Perth were on track in their premiership defence; now, they must get a bonus-point victory and hope the Drua lose their match to qualify for the top four.
They will also be without a decent number of their starting team, who are involved in the Barbarians game.
Captain Michael Ruru has been outstanding for the Spirit this year at halfback and is leading the competition in try assists.
Prediction
It’s difficult to predict when there is almost a starting-15 worth of players missing from both teams.
But Queensland were understrength in Fiji last weekend, so should continue their strong run to the end of the competition and grind out a victory.
Country 29-17
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Two years after a serious knee injury scuppered Nic Dolly’s hopes of running out for England against his home nation Down Under, the one-Test…
The in-form ACT Brumbies have returned from their bye week raring to go and more mentally switched on than they've been all year, Stephen…
Fijian Drua will try to end the 7-0 streak of the table-topping Hurricanes to kick off a spicy weekend of action that has split…
Four years after getting a taste of international coaching, Geoff Parling will return as the Wallabies’ new lineout coach. The Roar can reveal the…
And then, there were four. Super Rugby Women's enters it's final fortnight, and with the Reds and Rebels campaigns coming to a close, this…
Kurtley Beale will play his first Super Rugby match in 1494 days after being rushed straight into the Western Force's lineup to take on…
