The first ever game of the National Rugby Championship – Brisbane City v. Sydney Stars – delivered what Australian Rugby fans had been hoping for and did it despite the weather. Plenty of tries were scored and open and positive Rugby was the order of the evening.
The Match
The game started well for the home side, with City receiving the kick off and maintaining possession for just over 3 minutes. It was a rather ominous sign but when the Stars got their hands on the ball it took them all of 45 seconds and 6 phases to put winger Clunies-Ross over for the first try of the comp. Game on. Not to be outdone, City struck back immediately with Nick Frisby finding a gaping hole on the fringe of a midfield ruck and gave a neat flick pass to outside centre Toby White to score under the posts.
The weather was not great and the rain that was holding off, started to fall, making for some seriously slick conditions. The Stars found themselves with an attacking lineout and after some excellent set piece play reserve back Kenny, crossed the try line but dropping the pill in the process. A short time after, from a Stars scrum, Betham found himself in some space. A chip and regather saw him almost score but an excellent tackle from City’s Harry Parker caused Betham to lose the ball. Thankfully for the Stars, blindside flanker Quinn was in position to fall on the loose ball and score their second try. The game should have been getting away from City but for some difficult conditions and some average goal kicking from Dunbar, missing all of his attempted conversions so far.
The Stars scored two more tries in the next 10 minutes, one to James Dargaville and one to Jim Stewart. Dunbar failed to convert either try but the Stars were still heading to half time with a handy 20-8 lead. About two minutes before the break though, ex-Sydney Uni prop, Sam Talakai nabbed an intercept in the Stars red zone and the City were able to move the ball wide to send Kuridrani over in the corner. McIntyre converted to send City to the break only down 16-20.
You’d be mistaken for thinking the second half was a completely different game. Despite the increasing rain and wind, City came out from the break breathing fire. Reds centre Samu Kerevi was proving a massive handful for the defence and was getting given plenty of ball. Toby White scored his second try of the night early in the second half and not long after, a rare mistake from Betham not finding touch from his 22 provided City with a wonderful counter attacking opportunity. Kerevi made a good break and put flyhalf, Jake McIntyre into the clear for his first try. The score was 29-20 to City.
For almost 10 minutes midway through the second half, the Stars had the ball in City’s half and despite building multiple phases a number of times, they couldn’t convert the possession and territory into points. City finally got some possession and again a fend and offload from Kerevi put Kuridrani in for his second try. Shortly after Frisby again found some space on the side of a ruck showing good pace to exploit it. He worked hard to link up with his support and passed to Parker who stepped inside two defenders to get the City’s sixth try taking the score to 45-20.
In an odd end to the game, City were awarded a penalty after full time on about half way. The new rules would have allowed them to kick for the corner and still play the line out and if they scored a try they would’ve picked up a bonus point for winning by more than 3 tries. Instead, they opted to go for the quick tap and put the ball out ending the game.
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The Game Changer
For me it was the City’s try just before half time. The Stars were dominating and City were almost looking down and out. Whether big Sam Talakai called for the pass from his old team mates is a mystery but his intercept was the turning point. City went on to score 29 unanswered points in the second half.
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The G&GR MOTM
Big Samu Kerevi was in everything. His brutal runs left two Stars players injured and he made metres with every touch. His ability to make space and put his support players into it was pretty to watch.
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Players to watch
For the City, I thought that the two flankers, Michael Gunn and Adam Korcyzk had solid games. McIntyre showed the benefit of accurate goal kicking and his play in attack was good.
For the Stars I thought that James Dargaville looked very dangerous and Peter Betham played well from the back also.
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The Details
Crowd: approx 3400
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Home Team: 45
Tries: White (2), Kuridrani (2), McIntyre & Parker.
Conversions: McIntyre (5/6)
Penalties:[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Away Team: 20
Tries: Clunies-Ross, Quinn, Stewart & Dargaville.
Conversions: Dunbar (0/4)
Penalties: [/one_half]
Cards & citings
None
