The scrum told the story on the scoreboard and was the litmus test for coming points. For the UC Vikings they wanted it acidic, the redder the better. The Melbourne Rising preferred it alkaline, blue, letting their backs run through.
The Match
Absolute scrum dominance allowed the Rising to score 26 points in 26 minutes:
– Jack Debreczini crossed after 2 minutes, capitalising on forward dominance.
– 10 minutes later, Inman made a line break and from quick ball Debreczini chipped to himself and unselfishly allowed Veainu to maximise his chances for leading try scorer of the NRC.
– 7 minutes after that, Alo-Emile then bashed his way over from a pick and drive.
– Again another 7 minutes and Inman got his 5 point reward for his superior physicality in contact.
The rising onslaught calmed after this and it coincided with the introduction of Perry for Doyle in open side for the Vikings. Their scrum gained parity and then ascendency. 13 unanswered points in the next 42 minutes, featuring two rising yellows, meant the Vikings needed only 2 converted tries in 12 minutes to snatch a highly unlikely defeat.
– Coleman got over in the 31st minute in the left hand corner. Mogg then added the extras from the hardest angle.
– Stirzaker got a yellow card for kicking the ball away after a series of defensive penalties.
– Cadeyrn Neville then got sent off. I guess for more repeat infringements. At this stage Burgess came back on instead of captain Stirzaker.
– Niumata finally got a try off wide ball from a quick line-out 68 minutes through the game.
The scores at this stage were 26 – 13 to the Rising. Canberra hadn’t converted the pressure into enough points. They needed two converted tries in 12 minutes. Unfortunately this is when the rising scrum then re-gained advantage and the match was sealed with Burgess going over off the back of the scrum pass with less than a minute remaining.
Converted, Final Score 34-13 to the Rising, another bonus point win.
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The Game Changer
The scrum. When we changed the rules for entertainment value, we are always going to be accused of trying to reduce the impact of this set piece. In this game it was the most important attribute.
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The G&GR MOTM
Its a tricky one but it would have to go to Debreczini. 10 wonderful minutes saw one try and a try assist. Decent tactical kicking and minimal notable errors followed.
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Players to watch
Niumata for the Vikings looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. Veainu if he ever gets another chance in scrum half actually feeds it down the middle. Perry had a bit of a Hooper attitude to him when he came on, refreshing to see. Debreczini looks a sure thing for Wallaby Gold.
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The Details
Crowd: 1977
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Melbourne Rising: 34
Tries: Debreczini, Veainu , Alo-Emile, Inman, Burgess
Conversions: Debreczini 3/5
Penalties: nil [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]UC Vikings: 13
Tries: Coleman, Niumata
Conversions: Mogg 1/2
Penalties: nil [/one_half]
Cards & citings
Yellow – Stirzaker @53
Yellow – Cadeyrn Neville @63
