And so we enter the last round of the 2015 Buildcorp NRC with plenty of permutations yet to unfold. Whilst Brisbane City and Canberra Vikings remain firmly atop the ladder, there’s plenty to play for amongst the rest of the games. Let’s take a look.
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY (8TH) v CANBERRA VIKINGS (2ND)
Thursday 15 October at Sunshine Coast Stadium (Sunshine Coast). Kick Off 6:30PM (Local Time)
This match won’t have much (any ?) on the final ladder as Canberra are secure in 2nd spot and will host a final. There is still a chance for them to put themselves in an even better spot by winning and winning well, and then hoping that Brisbane has a shock loss to the Rams. The Vikings have opted to rest some of their key players including Christian Lealiifano and Ita Vaea whilst giving some of their youngsters a shot. If it all goes pear shaped however they still have the likes of Alexander, Smiler, Powell and Fainifo on the bench to try to right the wrongs.
For Queensland Country they will be determined to avoid the wooden spoon and record their third win of the season. Unfortunately all the good work they showed in a hard fought win over the Eagles a couple of weeks ago was undone with a thrashing at the hands of the Rays last weekend. This will be a homecoming for a handful of the Country lads as the game is to played at one of the best regional stadiums in Australia on the Sunshine Coast. Haydn Hirsimaki and Conor Mitchell both played their early rugby on the coast and are sure to be well supported by friends and family.
Key Matchups:
Check out the battle at scrum time and most notably the matchup between Country Loose Head Prop, Haydn Hirsinaki, and Viking Tight Head Prop, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin. The two are a couple of the shorter front rowers going around at 175cm and 174cm respectively, but both have immense power. The Country lads have relied heavily on their scrum this year and will see it as a big edge in their clash with the Vikings. The Vikings are no slouches however and their battle up front with Brisbane last week was epic.
At flyhalf we have two of Queensland’s brightest young playmakers facing off against each other in Sam Greene and Mitch Third. Whilst Greene has secured a contract with the Reds for next year, and has been a stand out player of the competition, Third had hoped his time with the Vikings may provided him a leg up into the Brumbies organisation. The signing of Nicolas Jooste from out west perhaps murkies the water in that regard, but Third will see his selection as a big chance to show his wares to important people in both states.
2015 Form:
QLD Country – WLWBL
Vikings – WWWWL
Tip: Vikings by 20
QLD Country: 1. Haydn Hirsimaki, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Sef Fa’agase, 4. Milton Sikuea, 5. Phil Potgieter, 6. Tyrell Barker, 7. Maclean Jones, 8. James Turner 9. James Tuttle (c), 10. Sam Greene, 11. Pierce Fitzgerald, 12. Tyrone Lefau, 13. Campbell Magnay, 14. Tom Pincus, 15. Tom Banks
16. Campbell Wakely, 17. Rueben Leilua, 18. Taniela Tupou , 19. Richie Arnold, 20. Conor Mitchell, 21. Scott Malolua, 22. Dion Taumata 23. Mack Mason
Vikings: 1. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Robbie Abel, 3. Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Blake Enever, 6. Dean Oakman-Hunt, 7. Rowan Perry, 8. Jarrad Butler (c),9. Brent Hamlin, 10. Mitch Third, 11. Lausi Taliauli, 12. Rodney Iona, 13. Nigel Ah Wong, 14. James Dargaville, 15. Isaac Thompson
16. Albert Anae, 17. Sione Taula, 18. Ben Alexander, 19. Jordan Smiler, 20. Dan Penca, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Jake Rakic, 23. Frankie Fainifo
BRISBANE CITY (1st) v GREATER SYDNEY RAMS (9th) – HORAN LITTLE SHIELD CHALLENGE
Saturday 17 October at Ballymore (Brisbane). Kick Off 3:30pm (Local Time)
This match shows the value of the Horan-Little Shield. Here we are. The last round of the season and it’s first against last. Ordinarily it would be a fairly low key affair, but with the advent of this challenge shield both teams have plenty to play for on Saturday at Ballymore. Brisbane are obviously keen as mustard to secure they Shield, having held it since defeating the Rising in Round 2, and have secured a full strength squad to do so. For the Rams the chance to claim their first piece of silverware of the NRC, to dispose of the competition frontrunners and avoid the wooden spoon means this match is their Grand Final.
Key Matchups:
There are two diverse playing styles in the respective 10 jerseys this weekend. For the Rams the electric Paul Asquith has been a revelation since moving to flyhalf in the recent weeks. The former 7s player has proved a constant thread to opposition defensive lines and provides a spark of energy for the Rams backline. Jake McIntyre, meanwhile, has quietly played his own game amongst a backline full of flash. McIntyre has plenty of skill but relies on providing the opportunities for his outside men to weave their magic. He’s been a critical player in Brisbane’s success this season and currently sits atop the competition point scorers list.
I just can’t go past the match up on the wings between the lightning feet of Afa Pakalani and the lightning feet of Junior Laloifi. The former Waratah and Aussie 7s flyer, Pakalani has only made a couple of starts for the Rams towards the end of the season and has shown his class in his limited opportunities. He has the ability to light up the field and his experience at the top level could be crucial this weekend. There has been heaps written about Laloifi this tournament and not much more I can say here. He remains the top tryscorer of the competition, with 11, but it’s his willingness to get involved and create opportunities for his team mates that has really been on show of late. A super talent.
2015 Form:
Brisbane – WWBWW
Rams: – LLLWL
Tip: Brisabne by 35
Brisbane City: 1. Pettowa Paraka, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Sam Talakai, 4. Corey Thomas, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Waita Setu, 7. Liam Gill (C), 8. Adam Korczyk, 9. Nick Frisby, 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Junior Laloifi, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Samu Kerevi, 14. Alex Gibbon, 15. Karmichael Hunt
16. Matt Mafi, 17. Ryan Freney, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Ben Hyne, 20. Luke Beauchamp, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Mika Tela, 23. Andy Muirhead
Rams: 1. Cameron Orr, 2. Siliva Siliva, 3. Sam Needs, 4. Jake Douglas, 5. Will Munro, 6. Kelly Meafua, 7. Jono Hayes, 8. Cohen Masson, 9. Dewet Roos, 10. Paul Asquith, 11. Afa Pakalani, 12. Michael Mcdougall, 13. Jordan Heyer, 14. Brad Curtis,15. Brendan Hartmann
16. Max Holland, 17.Matt Gibbon, 18. Cameron Betham , 19.Brad Kapa, 20. Sevaro Domoni, 21. Kaleb Rech, 22. Rohan Saifoloi, 23. Matt Teki
NSW COUNTRY EAGLES (6TH) v NORTH HARBOUR RAYS (7TH)
Saturday 17 October at Ann Ashwood Park (Bathurst). Kick Off 3:00pm (Local Time)
Ok, so this game has a bit to play for in it. For the Eagles, they need to beat the Rays with a bonus point and rely on the Rising defeating the Stars without a bonus point to qualify for the finals. Alternatively if the Stars defeat the Rising, then all the Eagles need to do is defeat the Rays to get in. Given the timing of the encounter, a day before the Stars travel to Frankston to battle the Rising, the Eagles will be out to score a win, ideally by three or more tries to secure a bonus point.
The Rays have an outside chance of making the finals too however it is Siberia-like levels of outside. For them to make it they will need to score a bonus point win over the Eagles. Oh and with a margin of at least 44 points. Oh and then hope the Stars beat the Rising and deny them any sort of losing bonus point.
Key Matchups:
Big Tommy Staniforth has been one of the form forwards of the competition in the last month with his damaging runs a feature as well as his physicality at the breakdown. His emergence in this competition shows great promise for Australia’s locking future. Ryan Melrose, of the Rays, doesn’t have the profile of Staniforth but has a been a real work-horse for the Rays since grabbing a starting spot in the latter part of the season. The Rays like to run the ball from anywhere and at anytime, and the no-nonsense Melrose does the hard work to ensure the risky plays come off.
Jarome McKenzie was one of the standouts of the competition for the Greater Sydney Rams last year, scorching the fields across Australia and grabbing the attention of fans of the new competition. A bad injury put the brakes on his follow up year, but after a switch to the NSW Country Eagles and finally back to regaining his full confidence, his try scoring feats have returned. When the Rays lost the electric Alex Northam to an overseas contract, supporters were resigned coping without a key attacking weapon. Since then Josh Porch has jumped at the opportunity of the late call up and showcased his own electric speed and provided the Rams with just another strong finisher out wide.
2015 Form:
Eagles : WLLWL
Rays – LBLLW
Tip: Eagles by 8
Eagles: 1. Dave Faeo, 2. Tom Sexton, 3. Dashville Kuate, 4. Nick Palmer, 5. Tom Staniforth, 6. Beau Robinson, 7. Mark Baldwin, 8. Sam Figg, 9. Mitch Short, 10. Jono Lance, 11. Charlie Clifton, 12. Dave Horwitz, 13. Ed Stubbs, 14. Jarome McKenzie, 15. Andrew Kellaway.
16. Peter Nau, 17. Dane Maraki, 18. Jerome Vaai, 19. Sam Lousi, 20. Will Miller, 21. Pauli Tuala, 22. Will Fay, 23. Jack Pennington.
Rays: 1. Mitch Lewis, 2. Luke Holmes (C), 3. Lawrance Hunting, 4. Ruairidh Wilson, 5. Ryan Melrose, 6. Harry Bergelin, 7. Boyd Killingworth, 8. Harry Rorke, 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Sam Lane, 11. John Porch, 12. Reece Hodge, 13. Michael Adams, 14. Tom Hill, 15. Hamish Angus
16. James Wilkinson, 17 Rory O’connor, 18. Alex Holmes / Nick Fraser, 19. Cameron Treloar, 20. Mitch Daniel, 21. Hugh Sinclair, 22. Tim Donlan, 23. Sione Ala
MELBOURNE RISING (5th) v SYDNEY STARS (3RD)
Sunday 18 October at Frankston Oval (Frankston). Kick Off 12:30pm (Local Time)
The final match of the preliminary rounds of the 2015 NRC is also the culmination of the Frankston Festival of Football which involves high quality international 7s rugby over the weekend with the finals on the morning prior to this vital NRC encounter. And vital it is with plenty of finals implications possible.
For the Rising it’s pretty pure and simple. A win over the Stars will see them into the finals. If they do lose, however, they will have had to rely on the Rays to down the Eagles whilst still securing a bonus point of their own against the Stars. For the Stars, it’s similar. If they win then the Stars secure third spot. If they lose though, they will then need to have secured their own losing bonus point and have relied on the Rays to have denied the Eagles of a bonus point win.
Plenty of ifs and buts, but it will all become a lot clearer for both teams come Sunday morning.
Key Matchups:
Ben Meehan has filled the boots of Nic Stirzaker more than capably this year and has been one of the Rising’s most dangerous and consistent players. Meehan loves a snipe and his attacking forays have created many a try for the Melbourne based team. Similarly for the Stars, Jake Gordan has been one of their most consistently high performing players in an inconsistent season. One final fling to secure their finals spot is key.
Jonah Placid and Tom Kingston have been two of the stars of the 2015 Buildcord NRC as counter attacking kings for their respective teams. As far as we know Kingston is still playing for a professional rugby contract and his form this year, including half a season as captain, indicates he shouldn’t be waiting long for it. Placid is on the cusp of going from prodigy to performer and Rebels fans should be enthused with his showings for the Rising this year.
2015 Form:
Rising – BWLLW
Stars – LLWLB
Tip: Rising by 10
Rising: 1. Cruze Ah-Nau, 2. Pat Leafa, 3. Duncan Chubb, 4. Sam Jeffries, 5. Lopeti Timani, 6. Luke Jones, 7. Jordy Reid, 8. Colby Fainga’a (C), 9. Ben Meehan, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Stacey Ili, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 13. Dom Shipperley, 14. Justin Marsters, 15. Jonah Placid.
16. Mitch Andrews, 17. Mike Tyler, 18. Tom Moloney, 19. Steve Cummins, 20. Pom Simona, 21. Maradona Farao, 22. Lloyd Johansson, 23. Filipe Vilitati.
Stars: 1. Jeremy Tilse, 2. Tolu Latu, 3. Kirwan Sanday, 4. Tipiloma Kaveinga, 5. Matt Philip, 6 .Rohan O’Regan, 7. Jordan Tuapou, 8. David Hickey (c), 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Angus Roberts, 11. Harry Jones, 12. Tom Carter, 13. Jim Stewart, 14. Guy Porter, 15. Tom Kingston
16. Todd Pearce, 17. Alasdair King, 18. Liam McGrath, 19. Senio Toleafoa, 20. Jake Wainwright, 21. Richard Draper, 22. Jordan McGregor, 23. Andrew Robinson
PERTH SPIRIT HAVE THE BYE
The Spirit finished their season last week with a massive win over the Rams. With the bye this week they must sit back and hope the Stars can beat the Rising whilst denying them a losing bonus point, and also that the Rays can upset the Eagles with a margin of less than 44 points.
