NRC Grand Final Preview 2014

So it has come to the final match of the inaugural NRC season. After nine rounds of frenetic footy and two epic semi final matches we have separated the wheat from the chaff. Eight teams began the season, now only the cream remain, battled hardened and tested they square off in Ballymore for a chance to be the first team to hold aloft the toast rack telephone that represents total domination of their fellow Australians. Who will be the 2014 NRC champion, Brisbane City? or Perth Spirit?

Brisbane City v Perth Spirit

The Journey

Brisbane city have looked pretty good all season, they have only lost two games. They finished the season strongly, beating the Vikings at home before winning an away semi final against the NSW country Eagles. It was their second close victory over the Eagles for the season, a result that should see them confident in the likelihood of a tense grand final. Their two losses, although against good teams, stand out because of they were by an average of 44 points.

City’s squad has been fairly settled this season, Quade Cooper and Will Genia have gone on Wallaby duty but they had only played a few matches each and their absence was expected.

Perths path to the finals has been an unorthodox one. Management were obviously using this season to try and give as much experience to non super rugby players as possible. As a result the Spririt’s away team was largely stacked with club players who managed only one win from four matches (five if you count Adelaide). Their “first” team played three games, blowing away QLD Country and the Sydney Stars, while losing narrowly to Brisbane.

Despite having two classes of teams most people thought that the Melbourne Rising would be too strong for the inconsistent WA team. They (I) was wrong, Perth displayed perhaps the best defense seen thus far in the NRC and backed that up by taking every chance in attack. Without being entirely dominant Perth kept the previously unbeaten Rising at arms length to record a convincing win which will give them a shot at the premiership and has already been etched into folklore.

The previous match between these two teams was a cracker, it was decided by five points and Perth could have snatched the win save for Junior Rasolea’s pinky in touch. Brisbane won, but perhaps what is more poignant that they have played this Perth Spirit team before, so there should be no surprises.

I think what is most exciting about this match is that both teams have come off their most impressive performance of the NRC. Neither team have limped in here and both attained qualification by winning on hostile territory. Brisbane have the home advantage this week but after last week’s matches you would think both teams could win just about anywhere.

Team Changes

Brisbane have lost powerhouse centre Samu Kerevi to a rib injury. This is a big loss as he is perhaps the best centre in the NRC. Utility Jack Mullins steps into the vacant twelve jersey and brings some form after scoring the opening try in Brisbane’s victory over the Vikings two weeks ago.

Perth carry the same 23 into this fixture, the only change will be Ammon Matuauto and Solomoni Rasolea swapping centre jerseys. This may be an attempt to unsettle Brisbane’s suddenly less experienced pairing.

Key Players

Brisbane certainly have the edge in the back row with Super loosies Liam Gill, Jake Shatz and Curtis Browning. Nick Frisby has been a key playmaker from the scrum base all season, while winger Chris Kuridrani has been unstoppable when given space out wide.

Perth Spirit will need their all Force front row to give them some advantage as they give a little away at the ruck, Pek Cowan adds a touch of class and experience that might see them on top here. Solomoni Rasolea, Luke Morohan and Haylett-Petty offer a well balanced attacking ability, while Zack Holmes is playing solidly and kicking consistently.

Prediction

While I rarely get these bits right, I still usually have an idea of who I expect to win most fixtures, this week I am struggling though. I expect this is largely due to last weeks matches, or more specifically Perth’s victory in Melbourne. I think Brisbane have the team to win, they have been the more consistent team, they have beaten Perth before (in Perth) and they now have the home advantage. But after last week how can you doubt that the Spirit can take this? I think they will need to rely on their defense and stamina like last week but they will have no shortage of belief.

Perth by 5

2014 Buildcorp NRC – Grand Final
Brisbane City v Perth Spirit
Ballymore Oval, Brisbane
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Kick-off: 6.30pm (local)/4.30pm (AWST)

Click on the next page for team lineups and form.