NRC Semi Final Preview

Four teams enter, two teams leave. The 2014 NRC semi finals feature a sumptuous feast of knockout rugby.

NSW Country Eagles v Brisbane City

Outside of Melbourne, these two teams are the most consistent performers of the NRC, having lost only two games all season. They both come into this semi-final fresh from good wins, against quality oppositions. The Eagles beat the fourth placed Spirit and City ended the Vikings finals aspirations.

The Eagles have the home advantage here, thanks to a losing bonus point, but besides that both teams have near identical records.That bonus point was earned in their last encounter won by City by a converted try, the match back in September was played in Lismore. I would expect this match to be just as close as both teams are quite evenly matched.

If I was to differentiate the teams I would say that Brisbane (with star backs Chris Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi) seem the more likely to pile on the points, while at the same time more likely to leak them at the other end. NSW Country have star backs of their own though, full back Patty Dellit has been a rock and the young Andrew Kellaway is the NRC’s leading try scorer with nine for the season.

Perhaps the most exciting match up for this fixture will be the back row battle. Brisbane City boasting Liam Gill, Jake Schatz and Curtis Browning perhaps shade the also impressive Tala Gray, Will Miller and Stephen Hoiles.

There is barely anything between these two teams and I think it will be decided by a try or less, at the death.

Prediction: Eagles by 3

[one_half last=”no”]NSW Country Eagles
1) Duncan Chubb
2) Billy Johnston
3) Jake Ilnicki
4) Ben Matwijow
5) Mitch Chapman
6) Tala Gray
7) Will Miller
8) Steve Hoiles
9) Brendan McKibbin
10) Sam Windsor
11) Andrew Kellaway
12) Apakuki Mau’fu
13) Samu Wara
14) Joel Brooks
15) Patrick Dellit

16) Michael Alaalatoa
17) Ben Suisala
18) Will Weeks
19) Cam Treloar
20) Mick Snowden
21) Pauli Tuala
22) David Horwitz
23) Darcy Etrich
[/one_half]

[one_half last=”yes”]Brisbane City
1) Pettowa Paraka
2) Andrew Ready
3) Sef Faagase
4) Marco Kotze
5) Dave McDuling (C)
6) Curtis Browning
7) Liam Gill
8) Jake Schatz
9) Nick Frisby
10) Jake McIntyre
11) Matt Feaunati
12) Samu Kerevi
13) Toby White
14) Chris Kuridrani
15) Brando Va’aulu

16) Matt Mafi
17) David Feao
18) Phil Kite
19) Adam Korczyk
20) Michael Gunn
21) Jack Mullins
22) Sam Greene
23) Junior Laloifi
[/one_half]
Form:    NSWCE:  WWWLLBWWW   BC: WWLWBWLWW

Friday 24th October, 7:35pm

Central Coast Stadium, Gosford.