Brisbane were blown off the park, the Rams dominating the match to record their most impressive win of their NRC season.
The Match
Second placed Brisbane city came into this match as favorites, fresh off a victory against state rivals QLD Country. The Rams have showed some promise this season but their form has been indifferent of late, last week drawing with the Rays.
While the star studded Brisbane side boasted established players like Quade Cooper, the Rams were unearthing future stars like Jarome Mackenzie. It was in the fourth minute that Mckenzie opened the scoring, finishing a great line break from Gillespie. Volavola struck the conversion sweetly (something that he would do consistently for the duration of the night) and the Rams were away 8-0.
Seavula was next to score for the home team, running “one out” from the ruck he was too big and his step to deceptive to be stopped by the scrappy Brisbane defense. Big lock Mafi had an impressive break in the lead up, perforating the defense that seemed unusually feeble.
Brisbane needed to assert themselves and managed to strike back immediately, a barn storming run by Kerevi was ebulliently finished by Kuridrani (which really isn’t all that hard to pronounce). Brisbane were back in the match, Quade Cooper added the further three and the score was 16-8 after 17minutes.
While the Rams might have felt nervous with Brisbane looking resurgent, they didn’t show it. Counter rucking brilliantly (the Rams most potent weapon this match) impressive winger McKenzie was given the ball in space and burnt every defender in his path to score near the posts. VolaVola converted once more and the Rams were out to 24-8.
While Brisbane looked to be finally taking the game seriously it seemed too little too late. Browning scored for the visitors but that too was cancelled out by Faleali’il for the Rams. The score at half time 32-13, four tries to two.
Brisbane started the second half well with Kerevi bashing over to give Brisbane a little momentum. The Rams were in no mood to take their feet from their opponent’s throats and Henry Taefu typified this by bashing/crawling over to score. This was closely followed by Dylan Sigg scoring from a quick tap to nail shut Brisbane’s coffin 48-21 with 52min gone.
Soon though the Rams loose head Jed Gillespie was yellow carded and Brisbane were given hope. While they toiled well, City could not put any points while at a numerical advantage. This was compounded by their woeful lineout accuracy, which was a feature of their play tonight.
Back to their full quotient the Rams scored through another quick tap, this time Alcock the deserved recipient. Vola Vola knocked over his seventh (from seven) conversion and the game was in the bag 56-21.
From here the game became a little scrappy, the Rams managed to get two players yellow carded, so at least got some good fitness training in playing with 13 men for the last 7 minutes.
Brisbane showed some pride to score the last (inevitable) try, the captain Dave McDuling dotting down. The game ending 56-29, the Rams embarrassing their fancied opponents. The win making the Rams look set for a tilt at the NRC finals while making Brisbane’s future look a little less rosy.
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The Game Changer
Young winger Mackenzie scoring his brilliant second try put the home side two tries ahead and the Rams never looked back. The nature of the try was also quite a statement to Brisbane.
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The G&GR MOTM
Volavola, kicked perfectly (7/7) and underplayed his hand well. There were plenty of great efforts from the Rams though. Alcock and Gillespie were both honourable mentions.
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Players to watch
Rams half back Faleali’i was dynamite around the ruck.
Rams 13 Seavula was hard to put down all night.
Rams winger Jarome MacKenzie lived up to his hype, looking a raw talent.
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The Details
Crowd: 1632
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Greater Sydney Rams : 56
Tries: MacKenzie 4min, 23min; Seavula14min; Faleali’i 35min; Taefu 47min; Sigg 52min; Alcock 66min
Conversions: Volavola 7/7
Penalties: Nil [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Brisbane City: 21
Tries: Kuridrani 16min, Browning 31min, Kerevi 43min, McDuling 79min.
Conversions: Cooper 2/3 McIntyre 1/1
Penalties: Nil [/one_half]
Cards & citings
Yellow Cards: Gillespie 55min(Rams), Someone (Rams) 74min, Roach (Rams) 75min
