NRC Round 3 preview: Henry Speight launches bid for Wallaby call-up along with Joe Tomane, Will Genia
HENRY Speight is one week away from becoming eligible for the Wallabies — and he’ll ramp up his selection bid in the NRC. Read our preview!
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HENRY Speight is one week away from becoming eligible for the Wallabies — and he’ll ramp up his bid for selection by turning out in round three of the National Rugby Championship.
The Brumbies flyer, who has been named on the wing for University of Canberra’s clash with Queesland Country, is among a host of returning Test players looking to impress Australia coach Ewen McKenzie this weekend.
Fellow winger Joe Tomane will join Speight in the Vikings backline, while star halfback Will Genia makes his long-awaited comeback from ankle surgery for Brisbane City.
Read on for our full round three preview!
North Harbour Rays v NSW Country Eagles
Thursday, 7.30pm AEST at Brookvale Oval, Sydney — LIVE ON Fox Sports 2HD
The undefeated Eagles head to Brookvale Oval for their first television appearance in the Buildcorp NRC where they will meet a refreshed Rays outfit who enjoyed the round-two bye.
Also making their debut on Fox Sports, the Rays will be looking to bounce back from a poor opening effort against Melbourne Rising in week one where they were well beaten 55-34.
Coach Geoff Townsend has made a number of changes to that side, the biggest of which sees young Warringah flyer Harry Jones win a spot on the wing and former Waratahs and Brumbies halfback Josh Holmes replace fellow Super Rugby player Matt Lucas in the No. 9 jersey.
The Eagles have also made a couple of changes with Waratahs Brendan McKibbin and Mitchell Chapman making their first run-on NRC starts at halfback and lock respectively.
But all eyes are likely to be on rising star Andrew Kellaway following his hat-trick in the Eagles’ 37-13 demolition of Queensland Country last week. The Australian under-20s winger is unmistakable, both for his bright red hair and superb finishing skills.
Rays (15-1): Cam Crawford, David Feltscheer, Michael Adams, Tom Matthews, Harry Jones, Hamish Angus, Josh Holmes, Sam Ward, Kotoni Ale, Michael Wells, Greg Peterson, Ed Gower, Nick Fraser, Luke Holmes, Mitch Lewis.
Reserves: David Porecki, Kevin McNamara, TBA, Ryan Melrose, Harry Bergelin, Matt Lucas, Sam Vaevae, Brian Sefanaia.
Eagles (15-1): Pat Dellit, Samu Wara, Matt Carraro, Ed Stubbs, Andrew Kellaway, Sam Windsor, Brendan McKibbin, Steve Hoiles, Will Miller, Tala Gray, Mitch Chapman, Cam Treloar, Mike Alaalatoa, Will Weeks, Duncan Chubb.
Reserves: Ben Suisala, Billy Johnston, Clay Brodie, Ben Matwijow, Paul Tuala, Darcy Etrich, Apakuki Ma’afu, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.
University of Canberra Vikings v Queensland Country
Saturday, 2.30pm AEST at Viking Park, Canberra
The Vikings continue to roll out Wallabies big guns, with Test flyers Joe Tomane and Henry Speight the latest big-name inclusions.
Fijian flyer Speight becomes eligible for Wallabies selection on September 11, paving the way for him to play against Argentina on the Gold Coast next Saturday.
The Brumbies ace has long been touted as an automatic call-up, but has been sidelined after tearing his hamstring in the Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Waratahs and will be out to prove his fitness with a solid hit-out in Canberra.
Tomane is also returning from a hamstring injury and likewise looking to relaunch his bid for a Wallabies call-up as part of an all-Brumbies backline the Vikings.
For Country, Reds speedster Jamie-Jerry Taulagi is set for his first NRC game after being named at fullback. He’s joined in the back three by Brothers winger Giles Beveridge, the top try-scorer in Queensland Premier Rugby.
UC Vikings (1-15): JP Smith, Lala Lam, Ruan Smith, Tom Staniforth, Tim Cree, Jordan Smiler, Jarrad Butler (vc), Fotu Auelua (c), Michael Dowsett, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Robbie Coleman (vc), Nigel Ah Wong, Henry Speight, Jesse Mogg.
Reserves: Mitch Wade, Sione Taula, Les Makin, Dave McKern, Sean Doyle, Edan Campbell-O’Brien, Isaac Thompson, Rodney Iona.
Qld Country (1-15): Haydn Hirsimaki, Ryan Freney, Greg Holmes (vc), Rubin Fuimaono, Dan Gorman, James Turner, Beau Robinson, Ben Adams, Scott Gale, Matt Brandon, Giles Beveridge, Anthony Fainga’a (c), Clynton Knox, Pierce Fitzgerald, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
Reserves: Tonga Ma’afu, Campbell Wakely, Fred Burke, Sam Fattal, Mitch King, James Tuttle, Rota Setu, Todd Winkley.
Perth Spirit v Greater Sydney Rams
Saturday, 2.30pm AEST at Adelaide Airport Stadium, Adelaide
Spirit coach David Wessels has given starting debuts to four players as Perth takes its “home” clash on the road.
Winger Brad Lacey gets his first NRC cap, while hooker Robbie Abel, lock Kieran Stringer and halfback Ian Prior have been promoted after stints from the bench.
The Spirit, coming off a narrow loss to Brisbane City, are hosting the winless Rams in Adelaide to “grow the game”.
An injury to Chris Alcock has seen a shuffle in the Rams pack, with Hugh Perrett moving to openside flanker, Dylan Sigg coming in at lock, and Steve Mafi donning the No.6 jersey.
Penrith fullback Jarome McKenzie will make his NRC debut on the wing for the Rams, replacing the injured Afa Pakalani.
Perth Spirit (1-15): Alec Hepburn, Robbie Abel, Oliver Hoskins, Corey Thomas, Kieran Stringer, Brent Murphy, Kane Koteka, Alex Rovira, Ian Prior (c), Zack Holmes, Vili Fielea, Luke Burton, Ammon Matuauto, Brad Lacey, Dillyn Leyds.
Reserves: Harry Scoble, Joe Savage, Chris Heiberg, Rory Walton, Richard Hardwick, Justin Turner, Davis Tavita, Va’a Mailei.
Greater Sydney Rams (1-15): Benn Robinson, Hugh Roach, Guy Millar, Jared Barry, Dylan Sigg, Steve Mafi, Hugh Perrett, Jed Holloway (c), Mark Swanepoel, Ben Volavola, Taqele Naiyaravaro, Henry Taefu, Michael McDougall, Jarome McKenzie, Dane Chisholm.
Reserves: Maile Ngauamo, Jed Gillespie, Dave Lolohea, Michael Kovavcic, Pat Sio, Vasa Falaelli, Jai Ayoub, Lalakai Foketi.
Brisbane City v Melbourne Rising
Saturday, 3pm AEST at Ballymore, Brisbane
Three Reds stars return to boost the Brisbane City starting side — but it’s a bench player that is the biggest drawcard for this clash.
Will Genia will make his long-awaited return from ankle surgery via the reserves, his first game since a man of the match performance for the Reds in their 38-31 win over the Highlanders back in May.
Genia’s Queensland teammates Jake Schatz and Samu Kerevi, who played in the opening round win over Sydney Stars, and Liam Gill all return from injury to take their place in the City XV.
The Rising also have a Wallaby halfback on their bench, with Luke Burgess released from Test camp to make his NRC debut in the top-of-the-table clash.
Both sides are unbeaten after the opening two rounds, with the Rising on top of the ladder thanks to a superior for and against.
Brisbane City (1-15): Pettowa Paraka, Andrew Ready, Sam Talakai, Marco Kotze, Dave McDuling, Michael Gunn, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Nick Frisby, Jake McIntyre, Harry Parker, Samu Kerevi, Toby White, Chris Kuridrani, Matt Feaunati.
Reserves: Matt Mafi, Sef Faagase, Phil Kite, Adam Korczyk, Brad Wilkin, Will Genia, James Dalgleish, Rex Tapuai.
Melbourne Rising: (1-15) Toby Smith, Tom Sexton, Paul Alo-Emile, Sam Jeffries, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Jones, Sean McMahon, Lopeti Timani, Nic Stirzaker (c), Jack Debreczeni, Tom English, Mitch Inman (vc), Sefanaia Naivalu, Telusa Veainu, Jonah Placid.
Reserves: Pat Leafa, Tuiatua Tuia, Cruze Ah-Nau, Pom Simona (vc), Sione Taufa, Luke Burgess, Lloyd Johansson, Joe Kamana.
Sydney Stars have a BYE
Originally published as NRC Round 3 preview: Henry Speight launches bid for Wallaby call-up along with Joe Tomane, Will Genia