Complete guide to the National Rugby Championship ahead of the 2014 season kick-off

EVERYTHING you need to know about Australian rugby’s new third-tier competition — the National Rugby Championship, which kicks off this week!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: The captains from the NRC clubs pose with the NRC trophy during the Official Launch of the National Rugby Championship (NRC) at Coogee Oval on August 13, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

AUSTRALIAN rugby’s new third-tier competition kicks off this week as nine teams begin the quest to win the inaugural National Rugby Championship title.

Brisbane City and Sydney Stars will open the competition on Thursday night at Ballymore, a match that will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 2 at 7.30pm AEST.

The competition will be played under new laws - including reduced points for penalty and field goals, and increased points for conversions - to encourage more attacking rugby, and will feature a host of Test and Super Rugby stars as well as emerging new Australian talent.

FIXTURES LIST: Every game for the 2014 NRC season

Full list of NRC law variations, interpretation changes

Fans set for Thursday night rugby feast on Fox Sports

To help you get ready for the 2014 NRC season, we have compiled a comprehensive wrap of all nine NRC teams.

Read on for your complete guide to the National Rugby Championship!

BRISBANE CITY

Coach: Nick Stiles

Captain: Curtis Browning

Home: Ballymore, Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane)

Odds: $6

Squad: Props: Sef Faagase, David Feao, Phil Kite, Pettowa Paraka, Semise (Sam) Talaki. Hookers: James Hanson, Matthew Mafi, Andrew Ready. Locks: Tim Buchanan, James Horwill*,

Marco Kotze, Dave McDuling, Sam Rochester. Backrow: Curtis Browning, Michael Gunn, Adam Korczyk, Chazz Mahina, Jake Schatz, Brad Wilkin. Scrumhalves: Nick Frisby, Will Genia*, Jack Mullins, Will Thompson. Flyhalves: Quade Cooper, Jake McIntyre. Centres: Samu Kerevi, Ben Tapuai, Toby White. Outside backs: Matthew Feaunati, Chris Kuridrani, Junior Laloifi, Harry Parker, Rex Tapuai, Lachie Turner, Brando Vaaulu. *Allocated Wallaby

Overview

The first of two sides fielded by the Queensland Rugby Union features a mix of Reds Super Rugby talent and Brisbane club rugby players.

Gun halves Quade Cooper and Will Genia headline a total of 10 Reds aligned with City, who will be guided by Queensland forwards coach Nick Stiles. The Wallaby stars are on the comeback trail from injuries and both are expected to see at least some time in the NRC as they press their claims for Test recalls.

Inaugural captain Curtis Browning will miss the opening rounds of the competition with a shoulder injury and has been joined on the sidelines by fellow Reds back-rower Liam Gill.

Keep an eye on … Harry Parker

What the lightweight winger lacks in size (he tips the scales at just 84kg), Parker more than makes up for with pace and courage.

One of University’s heroes in the Brisbane Premier Rugby grand final win over Sunnybank last weekend, Parker’s fearless running has earned him a starting spot for Thursday night’s NRC opener against Sydney Stars at the scene of that thrilling triumph — Ballymore.

Captains from the nine NRC clubs pose with the trophy and game ball at the official launch of the National Rugby Championship at Coogee Oval in Sydney.

CANBERRA VIKINGS

Coach: Dan McKellar

Captain: Fotu Auelua

Odds: $4.50

Squad: Props: Ruan Smith, Allan Alaalatoa, Les Makin, JP Smith, Scott Sio*, Sione Taula. Hookers: Siliva Siliva, Seilala Lam, Mitch Wade. Locks: Sam Carter*, Tom Staniforth, Dave McKern, Gareth Clouston. Backrow: Fotu Auelua, Tim Cree, Jordan Smiler, Jarrad Butler, Sean Doyle, Rowan Perry. Halfbacks: Michael Dowsett, Joe Powell. Flyhalves: Rod Iona, Isaac Thompson. Centres: Christian Lealiifano*, Matt Hawke, Pat McCabe*, Nigel Ahwong, Jake Rakic. Outside backs: Henry Speight*, Joe Tomane, Jerome Nuimata, Drew Southwell, Liam Slater, Robbie Coleman, Jesse Mogg, Brendon Taueki. *Allocated Wallaby

Overview

Hard-hitting back-rower Fotu Auelua skippers a side chock full of Brumbies talent that looks a genuine contender for the NRC title.

In a boost for round one clash with Perth, Christian Lealiifano has been released from the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship squad to spark a backline already boasting Super Rugby stars Jesse Mogg and Robbie Coleman.

Injured Wallabies Joe Tomane and Henry Speight could also see feature at some stage for the Vikings, while young lock Tom Staniforth headlines the emerging talent on the Vikings list.

Keep an eye on … Isaac Thompson

Former New Zealand schoolboys star Thompson is set to guide the Vikings around the park from flyhalf.

An experienced campaigner at 27, he has also played ITM Cup in New Zealand for Manawatu and will have no problems stepping up to NRC level.

GREATER SYDNEY RAMS

Coach: Brian Melrose

Captain: Jed Holloway

Home: Pirtek Stadium (Parramatta)

Odds: $9

Squad: Rams: Props: Ben Alexander*, Rhys Brodie, Jed Gillespie, Dave Lolohea, Guy Millar, Benn Robinson. Hookers: Maile Ngauamo, Tatafu Polota-Nau*, Peni Ravai, Hugh Roach. Locks: Jared Barry, Andrew Clyne, Jed Holloway, Dylan Sigg, Senio Toleafoa. Backrow: Chris Alcock, Marcus Carbone, Michael Kovacic, Sakaria Noa, Hugh Perrett, Patrick Sio. Halfbacks: Auvasa Faleali’i, Mark Swanepoel. Flyhalves: Jai Ayoub, Kurtley Beale*, Ben Volavola. Centres: Lalakai Foketi, Tom Hill, Tevita Kuridrani*, Apolosi Latunipulu, Michael McDougall, Henry Seavula, Henry Taufua. Outside backs: Ben Batger, Dane Chisolm, Rob Horne*, Jerome McKenzie, Taqele Naiyaravoro. *Allocated Wallaby

Overview

Shute Shield clubs Eastwood, West Harbour, Parramatta, Penrith and Southern Districts have joined forces to reprise the Rams from the ARC, only this time they fall under the banner of Greater Sydney.

Boasting a host of players from the weekend’s Shute Shield grand final, the Rams will be tough to beat in the inaugural NRC providing Brian Melrose can mould the group into a cohesive playing unit.

The Rams will be a vital cog in rugby’s push for the hearts and minds of kids in western Sydney in the face of fierce competition from the NRL, AFL and A-League.

Keep an eye on … Tom Hill

The talented Eastwood back will be looking to continue his hot Shute Shield form in the NRC.

Hill, who can play at either inside or outside centre, starred in his side’s grand final win over Southern Districts.

MELBOURNE RISING

Coach: Sean Hedger

Captain: Nic Stirzaker

Home: AAMI Park

Odds: $6

Squad: Props: Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Fereti Sa’aga, Finbar Simpson, Toby Smith, Tui Tuiatua. Hookers: Greg Bauer, Patrick Leafa, Tom Sexton. Locks: Frank Amituanai, Angus Hamilton, Sam Jeffries, Luke Jones*, Cadeyrn Neville. Backrow: Scott Higginbotham*, Sean McMahon, OJ Noa, Reuben Rolleston, Pom Simona, Sione Taufa, Lopeti Timani. Halfbacks: Ben Meehan, Junior Paila, Nic Stirzaker. Flyhalves: Jack Debreczeni, Shane Imo, Martin Naufahu. Centres: Mitch Inman, Lloyd Johansson, Sefanaia Naivalu. Outside backs: Tom English, Joe Kamana, Telusa Veainu, Rennie Lautolo-Molimau, Jonah Placid. *Allocated Wallaby

Overview

Rugby’s push into Victoria continues courtesy of the Rising, a team that combines Rebels players and the best of Melbourne’s Dewar Shield competition.

Skipper and scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker, inside centre Mitch Inman, winger Tom English and lock Cadeyrn Neville head a handy list of Super Rugby regulars for coach Sean Hedger, an assistant with the Rebels.

Australian under-20s captain Sean McMahon will miss the opening round as he is given a rest after an exhausting campaign that has already included Super Rugby, Junior World Championship and Commonwealth Games sevens duties.

Keep an eye on … Sefanaia Naivalu

Fijian flyer Naivalu looks set to bring plenty of X-factor to a Rising backline stacked with Super Rugby talent.

The 22-year-old was a star for Box Hill in the Dewar Shield in 2014, leading the competition for points and tries.

A raw talent with a sevens background, Naivalu has speed to burn — he ran a 10.5-second 100m at school back in Fiji — and could light up the NRC.

NORTH HARBOUR RAYS

Coach: Geoff Townsend

Captain: Greg Peterson

Home: Brookvale Oval

Odds: $13

Squad: Props: Leeroy Atalifo, Nick Fraser, Dane Maraki, Kevin McNamara, Rory O’Connor. Hookers: Luke Holmes, Mitch Lewis, Dave Porecki. Locks: Scott Fardy*, Ed Gower, Ryan Melrose, Greg Peterson. Backrow: Kotoni Ale, Harry Bergelin, James Cunningham, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper*, Boyd Killingworth, Wycliff Palu*, Sam Ward, Michael Wells. Halfbacks: Josh Holmes, Terry Preston, Matt Lucas. Flyhalves: Hamish Angus, Scott Daruda, Sam VaeVae. Centres: Maile Hingano, Tom Matthews, Brian Sefania. Outside backs: Michael Adams, Cam Crawford, Dave Feltscheer, Harry Jones, Sireli Tagicakibau.

Overview

The winners of the defunct Australian Rugby Championship, the Central Coast Rays have resurfaced as North Harbour with their home games to be played at rugby league stronghold Brookvale Oval.

Made up of Sydney’s Norths, Gordon, Manly and Warringah clubs, fierce local rivalries will be put on hold with the squad boasting players from each of the four Shute Shield sides.

Rebels recruit Cam Crawford will captain the side while brothers Josh and Luke Holmes are other players with Super Rugby experience.

Keep an eye on … Hamish Angus

A two-time Ken Catchpole medallist as the Shute Shield’s best and fairest, Angus’s Sevens background make him a dangerous attacking threat at No. 10.

Angus was also the competition’s leading point-scorer as Warringah finished fourth at the end of the regular season, all this after he sat out the entire 2013 season with a broken collarbone.

NSW COUNTRY

Coach: Darren Coleman

Captain: Cam Treloar

Home(s): Coogee Oval, Oakes Oval (Lismore), Wade Park (Orange), Apex Oval (Dubbo).

Odds: $6.50

Squad: Props: Michael Alaalatoa, Duncan Chubb, Sekope Kepu*, Max Lahiff, Tim Metcher, Ben Suisala. Hookers: Ryan Dalziel, Josh Mann-Rea, Will Weeks. Locks: Mitchell Chapman, Kane Douglas, Ben Matwijow, Cameron Treloar. Backrow: Sam Croke, Tala Gray, Stephen Hoiles, Will Miller, Pauli Tuala, Ita Vaea. Halfbacks: Darcy Etrich, Brendan McKibbin, Michael Snowden, Nic White*. Flyhalves: David Horwitz, Matt Toomua*, Sam Windsor. Centres: Adam Ashley-Cooper*, Matthew Carraro, Apakuki Ma’afu, Ed Stubbs, Chris Tuatara-Morrison. Outside backs: Ethan Ford, John Grant, Andrew Kellaway, Misieli Sinoti, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Patrick Dellit.

Overview

The Eagles will very much be the nomads of the NRC as they take home games to regional centres Lismore, Dubbo and Orange after their Coogee opener.

Boasting players from Sydney clubs Randwick and Eastern Suburbs as well as a number of country-based players, the Eagles have a mixture of rising young talent and experienced veterans in what looks to be a strong squad.

Super Rugby winners Stephen Hoiles, Brendan McKibbin and Kane Douglas will provide a touch of class with the latter available before he heads off to Dublin to join Irish heavyweights Leinster.

Keep an eye on … Andrew Kellaway

Those of you who watched the recent Junior World Championship will have seen Kellaway in action as he equalled the tournament’s try-scoring record.

A wonderfully-balanced ball-runner who can finish from long and close range, Kellaway was touted as the best schoolboy talent since Kurtley Beale and his progress since has only confirmed that belief.

Kellaway could line up at either wing or fullback but whatever the case he won’t be hard to miss thanks both to his excellent skill set and bright red hair.

PERTH SPIRIT

Coach: Dave Wessels and Kevin Foote

Captain(s): Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Ian Prior, Heath Tessmann, Rory Walton and Sam Wyke

Squad: Forwards — Robbie Abel, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan, Tetera Faulkner, Richard Hardwick, Ross Haylett-Petty, Chris Heiberg, Alec Hepburn, Matt Hodgson, Oliver Hoskins, Kane Koteka, Ben McCalman, Brent Murphy, Alex Rovira, Joe Savage, Harry Scoble, Brynard Stander, Scott Stevens, Kieran Stringer, Heath Tessman, Corey Thomas, Rory Walton, Francoise van Wyk, Sam Wykes

Backs — Marcel Brache, Luke Burton, Nili Fielea, Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty, Zack Holmes, Brad Lacey, Dillyn Leyds, Va’a Mailei, Ammon Matuauto, Luke Morahan, Ian Prior, Junior Rasolea, Michael Ruru, Davis Tavita, Justin Turner

Home(s): Perth: McGillivray Oval, Joondalup Arena, Rockingham Rugby Union Club. Adelaide: Adelaide Airport Stadium

Odds: $5.50

Overview

A combination of Force Super Rugby and academy players as well as from Perth’s Premier Grade, the Sprit have cobbled together one of the competition’s stronger-looking squads.

Co-coaches Dave Wessels and Kevin Foote, both assistants with the Force, have opted against naming a single captain. Instead Force stars Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Ian Prior, Heath Tessmann, Rory Walton and Sam Wykes have been unveiled as the “Standards Group” and the skipper will be chosen from that six each week.

The Spirit will play three of their four home games at suburban venues in Perth, while taken their other match on the road to Adelaide.

Keep an eye on … Harry Scoble

The 19-year-old Perth product seems destined for a bright future having already represented Australia right through the junior ranks.

The young hooker, brought through the Western Force academy, is a former national schoolboys star and this year was one of four WA players to represent Australia at the junior world championships.

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY

Coach: Steve Meehan

Captain: Anthony Faingaa

Home(s): Gold Coast — Bond University, CBUS Super Stadium. Brisbane — Ballymore. Townsville — Mike Carney Toyota Park.

Odds: $12

Squad: Props: Fred Burke, Haydn Hirsimaki, Greg Holmes, Kirwan Sanday, James Slipper*. Hookers: Saia Fainga’a, Ryan Freney, Tonga Ma’afu. Locks: Cameron Bracewell, Blake Enever, Sam Fattal, Rubin Fuimaono, Jack Payne, Rob Simmons*. Backrow: Ben Adams, Jack de Guingand, Lolo Fakasilea, Mitch King, Beau Robinson, James Turner. Halfbacks: Scott Gale, Sam Grasso. Flyhalves: Mike Harris, James Tuttle. Centres: Anthony Fainga’a, Sam Johnson, Clynton Knox, Campbell Magnay, Uarotafu Setu. Outside backs: Giles Beveridge, Pierce Fitzgerald, Ben Lucas, Tom Pincus, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Todd Winkley. *Allocated Wallaby

Overview

The second side fielded by the Queensland Rugby Union is likewise loaded with Reds representatives complemented by rising club stars.

Ensuring that they live up to their name, 17 of the side’s players “were either born or brought up in country Queensland or have passed through the Queensland Country pathway”.

Reds attack coach Steve Meehan will guide Queensland Country, who will be skippered by former Wallabies centre Anthony Faingaa.

Keep an eye on … Lolo Fakaosilea

A genuine poster boy for country rugby in Queensland, Fakaosilea hails from Emerald in central Queensland.

The big No. 8 is a rising star on the rugby scene, having played Australian schoolboys in 2012-2013 and then representing the under-20s at the recent Junior World Championships.

SYDNEY STARS

Coach: Chris Malone

Captain: Pat McCutcheon

Home: Leichardt Oval

Odds: $8

Squad: Props: Alasdair King, Tomas Robertson, Paddy Ryan, Matthew Sandell, Jeremy Tilse, Michael Tyler, Laurie Weeks. Hookers: Tom Coolican, Folau Fainga’a, Tolu Latu, James Willan. Locks: Jordan Chapman, Byron Hodge, Loma Kaveinga, Mathew Philip, Will Skelton, Ryan Wilson. Backrow: Hugo Dessens, David Hickey, Tipiloma Kaveinga, Pat McCutcheon, Benn Melrose, Samuel Quinn, Mitchell Whiteley. Halfbacks: Jake Gordon, Jock Merriman, Nick Phipps*, Angus Pulver. Flyhalves: Stuart Dunbar, Bernard Foley*, Daniel Kelly. Centres: Tom Carter, Johnathan Fakai, Michael Hodge, Finau Makamaka, James McMahon. Outside backs: Peter Betham, Henry Clunies-Ross, James Dargaville, Israel Folau*, Matthew Kenny, Angus Roberts, Jim Stewart, Jonny Loseli. *Allocated Wallaby

Overview

An alliance between Shute Shield heavyweights Sydney Uni and sub-districts club Balmain, the Stars are likely to earn the label of team everyone loves to hate.

There’s not a lot of love for Sydney University outside of Sydney University while Balmain have earned the ire of the Sydney subbies community following a rapid rise through the divisions with the help of some questionable recruiting.

A little ill-feeling on the sidelines won’t worry the Stars though and while they lack Super Rugby quality, Waratahs backrower Pat McCutcheon leads a side that is rich on rising talent.

Keep an eye on … Henry Clunies-Ross

Named the Shute Shield Rookie of the Year just last week, Henry Clunies-Ross looks set to light up the NRC alongside fellow University winger James Dargaville.

The availability of Wallabies squad member Peter Betham may limit either man’s playing opportunities but given the chance, neither flyer will let the Stars down.

Clunies-Ross boasts a ton of speed and had no trouble finishing in the Shute Shield where he crossed for 14 five-pointers.

Originally published as Complete guide to the National Rugby Championship ahead of the 2014 season kick-off