On the face of it the top placed Brisbane City and the second placed Canberra Vikings are both probably un-backable favourites. But, hey, so was the Melbourne Rising this time last year when their undefeated season came crashing down when the Perth Spirit crossed the country to upset them own their own turf. Let’s not forget too that Brisbane finished third last season and had to win on the road, in Gosford over the NSW Country Eagles, to secure their way to the inaugural NRC Premiership.
Brisbane City (1st) v Sydney Stars (4th)
Saturday 24 October at Ballymore (Brisbane). Kick off 6:30pm local time
Broadcast live on Fox Sports Channel 502
I asked the question pre-season whether it was possible for the reigning premiers, Brisbane City, to have gotten even stronger this year. The answer is now an obvious big fat yes as they’ve managed to finish the season on the back of their core 2014 squad plus additions of the calibre of Caderyn Neville, Scott Higginbotham and Karmichael Hunt. An undefeated season, and record undefeated run, will mean absolutely nothing to coach Nick Stiles and his team however if it all comes to an end this Saturday night at Ballymore.
On the face of it Brisbane’s success has been built on the back of their brilliant backline from Nick Frisby at scrumhalf to Karmichael Hunt at the back. Both Frisby and Hunt are sensational link men with an eye for seizing half an opportunity and converting it to a full blown attack. In between the likes of Jake McIntyre, Samu Kerevi and Henry Taefu have served up the opportunities for their Thunder and Lightning wingers, Chris Kuridrani and Junior Laloifi. Whilst Kuridrani’s play continues to mature there is no denying it has been the Prince of Ballymore, Laloifi, that has grabbed most the headlines this year as he has re-written the record books in scoring tries in every game this season and sitting on a tally of 14 five pointers for the year.
Whilst the backline is class, the forward pack cannot be ignored. Lead from the front by Liam Gill, tight head prop Sam Talakaki and new lock Neville, the Brisbane forwards have been dynamite for their team all season in establishing a rock solid set piece and then showcasing their skill around the park to link with their backline regularly. In fact the interchange of play between the pack and the backs has been one of the defining elements of Brisbane’s success. So too, however, has been the performance of their ‘no-names’. Brothers boys Ben Hyne and Luke Beauchamp have been able to match their professional team mates in work rate and impact, and another Brothers boy in Matt Mafi gets his chance to start on Saturday night due to the unavailability of Pettowa Paraka.
The Sydney Stars were one of the biggest disappointments of the 2014 NRC season finishing bottom of the log with just a solitary win to their name. There were those who suspected they would finish equally low in 2015 considering the seemingly lack of activity between seasons. A change of coaching however, to the charismatic Peter Playford, seemed to have been a conduit to a change of expectations as well. Playford brought in some smart names around him and the team started the season with back a big win against the Rays to make an early statement as to their claims this season. On the back of experienced forwards such as Wallabies (and Wallaby training squad members) James Hanson, Dave Dennis and Tolu Latu the Stars were able to establish an edge in the pack to free up the speed they had out wide in Harry Jones, Henry Clunies-Ross and Tom Kingston.
More wins would come however the depth of the squad would be challenged as injuries naturally occurred and representative selection beckoned. Big wins in their first three games gave them a tremendous kick into the top four before an upset loss to NSW Country followed by a 60 point thrashing at the hands of the Vikings brought them back to earth. In the end they would enjoy just one more win for the season, against the eventual wooden spooners the Greater Sydney Rams. Notably their wins were against the bottom four teams of the competition whilst they failed to challenge any of their finals brethren.
Key Matchups:
When the Stars have been at their best they’ve had their uncompromising skipper and flanker, David Hickey, leading from the charge. The Sydney Uni forward proved a stand out player as the Stars began their early season charge towards the NRC finals. Mixing it alongside Super Rugby professionals Dave Dennis and James Hanson, Hickey thrived on the high pace and physical game the Stars produced, as he showcased his abilities on both sides of the ball.
For the Stars to have any chance this weekend Hickey needs to compete with one of the leading players of the competition in former Wallaby, Liam Gill. Gill has thrived within this NRC and been able to continually produce performance from the very top shelf. Whether it’s the motivation of watching the Pooper at the RWC. Perhaps it’s the added challenge of the captaincy. Maybe it’s just that the style of play the NRC, and Brisbane City, encourage. Whatever it is Gill has been outstanding in all aspects of play this season and the Stars will need to be at their cunning best to keep him out of the game.
You’ve got to feel sorry for Tommy Kingston. He’s battled away manfully at the back of the Stars team, more recently as captain, as they’ve struggled to recapture their early season form. There is no denying Kingston’s efforts, however, and he has been a consistent danger to opposition defence on the counter attack and from set piece. He forms a dangerous back three for the Stars, particularly with try-scoring winger Harry Jones, and City will be well aware of the danger he creates from the back.
For City, Karmichael Hunt has been a revelation when moved to the fullback roll. Initially playing in the centres (with Junior Laloifi at fullback), Hunt’s football vision has been well utilised by Brisbane since he’s been moved to the back. Despite being at the back of the team, Hunt has become a creative force for Brisbane as he injects himself into the roles of either play maker or gap runner as the situation desires.
Previous 2015 Encounter:
As for the other semi-final, this match is also a replay of the Round 7 match up when Brisbane travelled to Leichhardt Oval to take on the Stars. It was absolute carnage back then as Junior Laloifi scored four tries with Brisbane running away 58-0 winners in another successful Horan-Little Shield defence. With the score 45-0 at half time, Sydney could take some solace for Brisbane resting a few players, but the result was never in doubt and hopefully won’t be repeated.
2015 Form:
Brisbane City – Won 8, Lost 0.
Sydney Stars – Won 4, Lost 4.
Tip: Brisbane by 38
Brisbane City: 1. Matt Mafi, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Sam Talakai, 4. Ben Hyne, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Luke Beauchamp, 7. Liam Gill (c), 8. Adam Korczyk, 9. Nick Frisby, 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Junior Laloifi, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Samu Kerevi, 14. Chris Kuridrani, 15. Karmichael Hunt.
16. Ryan Freney, 17. Markus Vanzati, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Corey Thomas, 20. Waita Setu, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Alex Gibbon, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Sydney Stars: 1. Jeremy Tilse, 2. Tolu Latu, 3. Kirwan Sandy, 4. Loma Kavenga, 5. Rohan O’Regan, 6. Jake Wainwright, 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 Toleofoa, 20. Ofa Toleafoa, 21. Richard Draper, 22. Jordan McGregor, 23. Andrew Robinson
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
