The 2015 NRC season kicks off this week with a Grand Final re-match between Brisbane City and Perth Spirit, telecast live from Ballymore on Fox Sports. As a means of a NRC Preview, we will be running a series of articles in the lead up to this first game to give you a bit more of an insight into what we can expect this NRC season.
One of the interesting talking points during the off-season has been how different the sides will look in 2015 (and no, we aren’t talking about the plethora of yellow jerseys). While there is definitely a base level of consistency in a lot of the squads, a few of the teams in particular have been very active and managed to secure some significant signings. Here are our top 5 (and change).
Beau Robinson (NSW Country Eagles)
If I was to rank these recruits then I reckon this would be my number one, fully acknowledging it may be more a sentimental vote than anything tactical. I am a massive Beau Robinson fan and love what he brings to the game. I love what he brings to the game on the field, in terms of playing style and I love what he brings to the game off the field in terms of attitude. He just gets it. He gets that rugby is what you give back as much as what you take.
Beau was a part of the Queensland Country squad last year, however his time was restricted due to injuries and he only had a few appearances. But he played a valuable role to the team as a whole and was their official “Spirit Leader”. He took the role seriously to the point of organising the fan engagement events at the local pub as a form of pre-season launch.
But with things seeming to be no longer ‘on’ at the Reds, Beau has been grabbed by the Eagles in what is a bloody perfect fit for both parties. Quality openside flankers, with experience at the top level are as rare as hen’s teeth so Beau is a real score for the Eagles. The fact that Beau is a proud as punch Dubbo boy and as country as they come, just adds to the value.
The Eagles have been one of the recruitment stars this year with Robinson’s Magpies club mate, tight head prop, Dave Feao another excellent poach from Queensland and together with Sam Carter, Tom Staniforth, Sam Lousi and Tom Sexton will help to make up one of the stronger packs in the competition.
Albert Nikoro (Perth Spirit)
There was a bit of chatter across the ditch last year when the Western Force announced the signing of ‘one of their own’, Albert Nikoro to a two year contract. A bit of a schoolboy prodigy (representing his school’s First XV as a fourteen year old), Nikoro had been in and around the Blues squad for a few years, claiming a handful of caps, without ever showing the abilities promised in his youth.
A move to Perth was seen as an opportunity, after having worked his way back from knee injury however for whatever reasons the games haven’t come with the Force. And so the NRC becomes the setting for Nikoro to seemingly relaunch his professional rugby career assault.
By all reports he has pace and elusiveness to really make the most of the attacking intent within the NRC. A handy boot (able to kick ‘em from 50m, apparently) is also an asset. With last year’s standout fullback, Dane Haylett-Petty, not playing this year then Nikoro should be the leading candidate to fill the vacant 15 jersey. If he can play to his abilities, he’s a fair chance to match DHP’s 2014 season and perhaps lead the 2014 Runners-Up to an improved end result come season’s end.
Aidan Toua (UC Vikings)
The UC Vikings have been the beneficiaries of some pretty handy recruitment work by Steve Larkham for the Brumbies this year. There is a heap of talented new faces in the squad already, but for me the stand out – or the one I am most excited about, is fullback Aidan Toua.
As for Nikoro, Toua is another schoolboy prodigy who has been around the professional structure for a few years now, battling injury to stake his claim in the game. After being with the Reds for a few years, Toua moved to France to play with Agen this last season. Despite enjoying the lifestyle, how could a young, talented fullback not respond to a telephone call from Larkham asking him to come play for his team? So Toua has packed up and moved to the nation’s capital with his wife and young bub, to join the ever expanding Easts Tigers Old Boys fraternity at the Brumbies.
With last year’s fullback Jesse Mogg moving overseas, Toua will have an awesome opportunity to use the NRC to showcase his rare talents to an Australian audience. Canberra fans will remember him for the scything try he scored in 2014 for the Reds against the Brumbies, using his blistering pace to break the line and race away for a memorable 5 points. The hope is he can reproduce a heap more of these for the Vikings this year.
With former Brisbane Easts backrower Jarrad Butler stepping up as captain this year, his former club mate Toua will have another Tiger in, lock, Blake Enever in the pack this season. Enever was in the QLD Country squad last year, however injury limited his game play, but he impressed many with his Super Rugby performances for the Brumbies in 2015. Albert Anae, another ex-Red, will also be looking at easing his way into the Brumby structure via the Vikings proving the Canberra team with an experienced, and sizeable, pack.
Scott Higginbotham (Brisbane City)
Well this one took me by surprise. A few rumours hit the internets a day or so out of the announcement of the Brisbane City squad insinuating that Higgers would be returning to Brisbane to play the NRC. When all was confirmed it was a continued sign that Brisbane City are taking their championship defence very seriously.
Obviously we will find out on Friday whether Higgbinbotham will be in Michael Chieka’s Rugby World Cup squad, however it seems highly unlikely he will be. With the Rising unable to fit him into their squad, due to Super Rugby player restrictions, and Brisbane without the injured Jake Schatz and Curtis Browning, it was a perfect fit.
QLD Country fans may question that, given Higginbotham’s history with the Gold Coast. But with Country already having Lolo Fakaosilea, in need of more high level game time, and the experience Ed Quirk in their squad, Higgers in Brisbane is the right call.
He’ll have a few fairly experienced ‘rookies’ around him as well with James O’Connor and Karmichael Hunt out wide, and Cadeyrn Neville an important replacement for James Horwill and Marco Kotze.
Jim Williams – Rams
We need to always remember that the NRC is not all about showcasing the developing players, but it has equal platform for aspiring coaches to showcase their own wares. The NRC teams this year have some very interesting coaching appointments with Brisbane City’s Nick Stiles one of the few constants. Jason Gilmore (QLD Country), Tai McIsaacs (Spirit), Peter Playford (Stars) and Zane Hilton (Rising) are some of the new coaching names this year. Without a doubt the highest profile coaching appointment is at the Rams where Jim Williams has taken the reigns.
Now Williams is clearly not an up and coming coach, having had plenty of professional experience with Munster in Ireland and as an assistant coach to Robbie Deans with the Wallabies for a number of years. However after a spell away, working with the NSWRU on their Learn Earn Legend indigenous program, Williams has taken the step back into professional coaching taking over from Brian Melrose at the Greater Sydney club. It’s a significant appointment for a number of reasons.
Firstly, Williams is still a name of significance within the Australian Rugby landscape and, as a coach, he should prove an attractive draw card for potential players to the club. His experience at the elite level, both here and abroad, ensures his actual coaching chops are fairly well covered off on as well.
But Williams also has a vision for Western Sydney and the Rams could provide an important tool for the Australian Rugby Union to support the growth of rugby in these areas. Williams hopes to harness the resources the region has and influence he possesses, to grow the club’s links with Aboriginal and Polynesian players. His eagerness to engaged in the many relevant local communities will hopefully mean the Rams can continue to build a strong and active supporter base and make a real statement on the Australian Rugby landscape.
