Queensland Country have completed a remarkable transformation from last place in 2016 to premiers in 2017, defeating the Canberra Vikings by 14 points in the NRC Grand Final.
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Final score
Canberra Vikings 28
Queensland Country 42
Queensland Country is just one step away from completing a miracle turnaround from last season when they make the trip south to face minor premiers Canberra Vikings in the 2017 NRC Grand Final. Catch all the live scores, highlights and rugby action on The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Having finished dead last at the bottom of the table in 2016, and second last in both of the previous two seasons, Queensland have come out of nowhere this year to make their first ever NRC finals appearance.
They’re in for a fight for the title though coming up against one of just two teams that were able to beat them this year.
Canberra and Country finished the season one and two at the top of the table, setting up a thrilling finale between the best sides in the competition.
The Canberra Vikings got up over the Greater Sydney Rams in the final round of the season to take the minor premiership away from Queensland at the last moment.
A 40-35 thriller last week against the Perth Spirit continued a dominant season for the Vikings leading into their second grand final in three years.
Queensland was a little more convincing in their semi-final matchup, running in nine tries to three against a hapless Fijian Drua defence for a 57-21 win.
Canberra has been near-unstoppable this season, losing just two games all year and only by the slimmest of margins, going down by one and two points to the Country Eagles and Brisbane City respectively.
They’ve averaged an incredible 44 points per game in 2017 while also having the best defence in the competition.
These two sides did meet once this season and it was an absolute thriller to kick off the season back in Round 1.
Despite taking an entertaining 26-all deadlock into the halftime break, Canberra jumped away in the second stanza, taking the game out to 40-26 before Queensland miraculously pulled it back to tie the scores up once again at 40 apiece.
A try and penalty goal in the final ten minutes landed the 48-40 win for Canberra in a sign of things to come for both sides.
We’re guaranteed a brand new NRC champion with both sides looking for their maiden title.
Prediction
It’s tough to find a winner from such a tantalising clash. These two sides have really been the standouts of the season across the competition and they’re attacking flair has set them apart from the pack.
With a win earlier in the season and the home ground advantage, Canberra will be very hard to knock off today.
They’ve looked the more consistent of the two sides for mine, and while they both have the same win-loss record, Queensland has often fallen victim to vulnerable stretches in games of slacking off and letting sides back into the game.
Canberra to win by 15.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Tupou mightn't get any time if the tests are tight but he would be an interesting option coming on at 6 with 5minutes to go. Especially if the Wallabies were chasing a score.
Adsa
Guest
Great summary Connor
Dave_S
Guest
Yeah I’m sure Frisby will be back in 2018, his 2016 form cannot have been a fluke. He and Tuttle will keep each other on their toes, the Reds will have plenty to work with at 9. Reds and Rebs backlines both looking pretty well resourced for next year.
Dave_S
Guest
Only saw the last 2 games but I’m not surprised Timu was PotT. Has beef, mobility, hands and workrate. I think he’ll fill Henrick Tui’s shoes admirably. He came from the Broncos, so he’ll understand what’s required at the top level, and he’ll feel right at home under Thorn, the epitome of the best aspects of Broncos culture.
Harry
Guest
Tuttle very impressive. Suspect he'll be starting at 9 next year rather than the inconsistent Frisby. Though Nick is a smart and talented footballer who seemingly lost his way this year, hopefully he can come back strong in 2018 and with him and Tuttle the Reds will be well placed.
Harry
Guest
No problem with Timu as player of the tournament. Been consistent and strong all year. Hopefully can deliver as a strong 6/8 for the Reds next year. Tupou needs to get 5 minutes in the final test this year. He clearly needs work on his scrummaging but the raw ingredients are there. He will improve at the set piece, still very young. I love The Roar, but it always cracks me up the assumptions on scrummaging. The reality is takes many years to get experienced. Tupou, as with every other tighthead, needs to do his apprenticeship up front.
ethan
Guest
Good summary. The turnaround in defence by QCountry this year has been impressive, and its exactly what the Reds need as well. Gives us reason for optimism.
ethan
Guest
Thats how its been in previous years with penalties only worth 2, but they were playing under normal rules this year - so can't see any other reason why you wouldn't take a shot in that situation. To go 3 pts up with less than 10 minutes to go, and wind down the clock with a man in the bin. Especially as Stewart doesn't have big touch finders, and the Vikings lineout had managed a few steals. Only reason I can see you would go for touch is if Tuttle didn't have the range.
ethan
Guest
Can't claim to have seen every game, but Timu was a standout in those I saw. So were the others though. Tupou ruled himself out of MVP after being demolished in those first half scrums. He's obviously still a work in progress. Fantastic work rate and fantastic with ball in hand, but I wouldn't pick him for a Wallabies cap until his scrummaging has improved. It was better this year, but still some way to go - maybe next year. Don't mind him being taken as a development player though. Lloyd looks a talent, do the Brumbies have him wrapped up?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Wow, that's a shock. Caleb Timu as player of the NRC, ahead of Rob Veletini, Duncan Paia'aua and Taniela Tupou of QC and Matt Philip and Isi Naisarani from Perth. Nice sing-song by the QC boys and lastly Clyne Cameron looks like he just rocked up from the pub to hand out the awards. :) So what does the Road crowd think of Taniela Tupou's chances of getting onto the EOYT as a late entry? He got schooled in the scrums, admittedly against a pretty good prop, but the Thor did some mighty good work on the run and in defence and rucks.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
It's the NRC. A kick for goal from a penalty is a rare occurrence. It's all about pushing your luck and the game.
ethan
Guest
Jimmy Tuttle must not have a big range, as Country were knocking back shots on goal towards the end there from 40m out - but those sideline conversions were clutch.
Hello
Roar Rookie
So did the last coach (twice)
ethan
Guest
QCountry!! Terrific display to stick in there after that horrible yellow card decision. Canberra had the set piece, but Country had the explosiveness. Great season from both teams, and a huge turnaround under Thorn.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Incredible from Queensland Country who's NRC history now makes for very interesting reading. 2014: 2nd last 2015: 2nd last 2016: Last 2017: CHAMPIONS
Schuey
Guest
Happy that Thorn coached the title. Good for Reds.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Both kickers got perfect 100% conversions, some from near the sideline. You can't ask much more than that.
Daveski
Guest
Great game for the NRC final couple of quick thoughts: DP was enormous in the second half but thought Tuttle was the consistent leader for the full 80min. Tupou massive game. Had issues in the scrum but QldC had two young, talented but lightish locks and I wonder if that was part of it. Plenty of talent in that Vikings team: Makin, Lloyd, Cusack, Fakaosilea, Muirhead are unlikely to be starters but look Super Rugby quality. Hawera still a bit of a dud to me. Banks' defense not on par with his attack. At least not tonight. Got burnt a few times by Dauguno.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Queensland Country won the 2nd half 35-7, and that's with one man (captain DP) sent off for a yellow. Massive turn around from the first half where they were just too anxious. They calmed down during the halftime break, came out playing controlled footy and took Canberra to the cleaners. If Brad Thorn puts the same improvement into the Queensland Reds, then the other Aussie franchises (and the Tokyo Boyz) may as well stay home and save the bruises.
Thor
Guest
What happened????