NRC Rnd 1: Canberra Vikings vs Queensland Country

[RugbyReg]

Saturday evening (5pm) at Viking Park.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Vikings expecting Fainga'a, Arnold, Banks and Powell to be released by the Wallabies to play

 

[Brumby Jack]

Vikookaburras

1. Sione Taula
2. Folau Fainga’a
3. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin
4. Rory Arnold
5. Darcy Swain
6. Blake Enever
7. Luke Kimber
8. Ben Hyne (c)
9. Joe Powell
10. Wharenui Hawera
11. Lausii Taliauli
12. Jordan Jackson-Hope
13. Len Ikitau
14. Andy Muirhead
15. Tom Banks

REPLACEMENTS
16. Connal McInerney
17. Vunipola Fifita
18. Tom Ross
19. BJ Edwards
20. Brodie Leber
21. Ryan Lonergan
22. Irae Simone
23. Chance Peni

 

[Brumby Runner]

Good looking team, but on the small side in the centres. Hope to see Simone get a permanent spot there sooner rather than later. He was very impressive in Norths' loss to the Rats on the weekend. Played 12, but was first receiver and game manager for a lot of the game. Showed he has quite a bit of variety in his game with short passes putting players through gaps and laid on a pearler of a grubber for Wolfe to score.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Still no Valetini? What's his status?

 

[Bandar]

What happened to Angus Allen? He was the back up to Cusick last year and now isn't in the squad.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Still no Valetini? What's his status?

Should be back round 3

 

[Slim 293]

Good looking team, but on the small side in the centres. Hope to see Simone get a permanent spot there sooner rather than later. He was very impressive in Norths' loss to the Rats on the weekend. Played 12, but was first receiver and game manager for a lot of the game. Showed he has quite a bit of variety in his game with short passes putting players through gaps and laid on a pearler of a grubber for Wolfe to score.

I assume Simone is coming off the bench for this game being as he's recently only joined the squad, but I expect him to being a permanent starter from as early as round 2.........

 

[Bobby Sands]

Great side, although the pack looks overly tall.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Surely, no pack can be said to be overly tall with Les Makin in it.

I am not familiar with Luke Kimber. Any details? Otherwise, four viable lineout operators in Arnold, Swain, Enever and Hyne. Who calls? Enever?

 

[Slim 293]

I am not familiar with Luke Kimber. Any details? Otherwise, four viable lineout operators in Arnold, Swain, Enever and Hyne. Who calls? Enever?

Most definitely Enever.........

 

[RugbyReg]

Queensland Country side to face Canberra Vikings:

1. Harry Hoopert* - Brothers – Jondaryn
2. Alex Casey - Souths
3. James Slipper - Bond University – Gold Coast
4. Harry Hockings - University of Queensland – Bowen
5. Angus Blyth - Bond University – Gold Coast
6. Angus Scott-Young - University of Queensland
7. Liam Wright - Easts
8. Caleb Timu - Souths
9. James Tuttle - GPS
10. Hamish Stewart - Bond University – Pittsworth
11. Joey Fittock* - Bond University – Gold Coast
12. Duncan Paia’aua – Norths - Rockhampton
13. Jordan Petaia* - Wests
14. Jock Campbell - University of Queensland – Gold Coast
15. Tom Lucas* - Sunnybank – Rockhampton

Reserves

1. Effi Ma’afu - Wests
2. Richie Asiata - Easts
3. Jake Simeon** - Souths
4. Rob Puli’uvea - Wests
5. Tai Ford - Bond University – Gold Coast
6. Harry Wilson** - Brothers
7. Tate McDermott - University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast

Patrick James - Brothers

 

[dru]

Really chuffed to see Slipper back doing what he should be doing. Go big, James.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Is it a surprise that he's on the Th side? How long since he played there?

 

[RugbyReg]

Is it a surprise that he's on the Th side? How long since he played there?

Yeah it’s been a while. I know he very much prefers LHP.

 

[Slim 293]

Good start from Qld Country......... Vikings look to have finally woken up though.

Qld Country 12 - Vikings 7

 

[Slim 293]

A good bit of straightening by Taliauli for the next Vikings try............

I noticed he played 13 for Royals in the JID final - could be a potential backup for Kuridrani?

Hawera converts....... Vikings 14 - Qld C 12

 

[Slim 293]

Vikings lineout surprisingly not functioning too well..........

 

[Slim 293]

Campbell intercepts a long pass from Hawera that even the blind saw coming...

Qld C 19 - Vikings 14

 

[Slim 293]

Qld C score after a series of pick and goes..........

Qld C 24 - 14 at HT.

Probably won't hear many more updates from me as I have to get back to work.........