NRC round four preview: Will Genia ramps up Wallabies comeback bid, Rising look to continue red-hot form
WILL Genia ramps up his bid for a Wallabies recall as he starts for Brisbane City in the NRC this weekend. Check out our full round four preview.
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A TICKET to South Africa and Argentina is the lure for Wallabies contender Will Genia who as he makes his start for Brisbane City in another big round of National Rugby Championship action.
Genia is one of a host of Wallabies squad contenders in action this weekend, with Will Skelton, Tom English, Jake Schatz, Josh Mann-Rea, Saia Fainga’a and Benn Robinson all made available for their NRC sides.
Read on for all the team lists and a full preview of round four of the NRC!
Melbourne Rising v Perth Spirit
Thursday, 7.30pm AEST at AAMI Park, Melbourne — LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD
The red-hot Rising get to show the wider rugby public just what all the fuss is about when they feature on Fox Sports’ NRC broadcast for the first time.
The Melbourne outfit, boosted by a stack of Rebels Super Rugby talent, has racked up 179 in romping through its opening three games, including last week’s 79-18 thrashing of previously unbeaten Brisbane City.
Plenty of eyes will be on exciting centre Sefanaia Naivalu, who became the first player to earn a Super Rugby contract off the back of the NRC when the Rebels on Tuesday signed him to a two-year deal.
Perth coach David Wessels has named a fresh-looking pack as he rings the changes to his Spirit side following its second-straight defeat last weekend.
Joe Savage, Harry Scoble and Chris Heiberg start in an all-new front row, with flanker Richard Hardwick joining that trio in making his run-on debut.
Lock Rory Walton returns to the starting XV and will captain the side while Justin Turner has been promoted to the No. 9 jersey.
Melbourne Rising (1-15): Toby Smith, Pat Leafa, Paul Alo-Emile, Sam Jeffries, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Jones, Sean McMahon, Lopeti Timani, Nic Stirzaker, Jack Debreczeni, Joe Kamana, Mitch Inman, Sefanaia Naivalu, Telusa Veainu, Jonah Placid.
Reserves: Tom Sexton, Tuiatua Tuia, Cruze Ah-Nau, Pom Simona, Sione Taufa, Luke Burgess, Lloyd Johansson, Tom English.
Perth Spirit (1-15): Joe Savage, Harry Scoble, Chris Heiberg, Rory Walton, Brent Murphy, Brynard Stander, Richard Hardwick, Alex Rovira, Justin Turner, Dillyn Leyds, Nili Fielea, Luke Burton, Ammon Matuauto, Brad Lacey, Zack Holmes.
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Alec Hepburn, Oliver Hoskins, Corey Thomas, Kane Koteka, Michael Ruru, Davis Tavita, Va’a Mailei.
Greater Sydney Rams v Sydney Stars
Saturday, 3pm AEST at Pirtek Stadium
Giant lock Will Skelton has again been released from Wallabies camp to boost a Stars outfit out to record its first win of the NRC.
Test prop Laurie Weeks makes his return from a hamstring injury via the bench for the Stars, while Tipiloma Kaveinga makes his NRC debut at blindside flanker.
In the backs Jake Gordon dons the No. 9 jersey, Michael Hodge returns from a head knock to take his spot at inside centre, Matthew Kenny moves to the wing for injured Henry Clunies-Ross (groin) and Jack Macklin earns his first start at fullback.
Flanker Chris Alcock’s returns means a reshuffled Rams pack, with Steve Mafi shifting back to lock and Dylan Sigg on to the bench.
Michael McDougall shifts into inside centre while Lalakai Foketi starts outside him after coming off the bench last weekend in the Rams’ opening win of the season against Perth in Adelaide.
Sydney Stars (1-15): Jeremy Tilse, Tom Coolican, Paddy Ryan, Andrew Leota, Will Skelton, Tipiloma Kaveinga, Patrick McCutcheon (c), Sam Quinn, Jake Gordon, Stuart Dunbar, Matthew Kenny, Michael Hodge, Jim Stewart, James Dargaville, Jack Macklin.
Reserves:, James Willan, Tom Robertson, Laurie Weeks, Matthew Philip, Hugo Dessens, Jock Merriman, Jonathan Fakai, Jono Sullivan.
Greater Sydney Rams (1-15): Benn Robinson, Hugh Roach, Guy Millar, Jared Barry, Steve Mafi, Hugh Perrett, Chris Alcock, Jed Holloway (C), Mark Swanepoel, Ben Volavola, Taqele Naiyaravaro, Michael McDougall, Lalakai Foketi, Jarome McKenzie, Dane Chisholm.
Reserves: Maile Ngauamo, Jed Gillespie, Dave Lolohea, Dylan Sigg, Pat Sio, Vasa Falaeli’i, Jai Ayoub, Henry Seavula
Queensland Country v North Harbour Rays
Saturday, 5.10pm AEST at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
A new dad and a rookie teenage sensation are the headline inclusions for Queensland Country as they look for their first win of the season.
Hooker Saia Faingaa, who missed the Wallabies’ clash with South Africa last week to be with his fiancee Alicia Antico for the birth of their first child, will play his first NRC match on Saturday.
Meanwhile young gun Campbell Magnay has been promoted for his run-on debut at outside centre.
The 17-year-old looks to have a big future ahead of him and already has several NRL clubs circling. He’ll be out to impress in what is the curtain-raiser to the Wallabies-Argentina Test on Saturday night.
Queensland Country (1-15): Fred Burke, Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes (vc), Dan Gorman, Rubin Fuimaono, James Turner, Beau Robinson, Ben Adams, Sam Grasso, Matt Brandon, Todd Winkley, Anthony Faingaa (c), Campbell Magnay. Tom Pincus, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
Reserves: Ryan Freney, Campbell Wakely, Haydn Hirsimaki, Sam Fattal, Jack de Guingand, James Tuttle, Sam Johnson, Giles Beveridge.
North Harbour Rays: (1-15): Dane Maraki, Luke Holmes, Tobias Gukibau, Ed Gower, Greg Peterson, MIchael Wells, Kotoni Ale, Sam Ward, Matt Lucas, Hamish Angus, Sireli Tagicakibau, Tom Matthews, Michael Adams, Cam Crawford, David Feltscheer. Res: Dave Porecki, Mitch Lewis, Nick Fraser, Ryan Melrose, Harry Bergelin, Josh Holmes, Brian Sefanaia, Scott Drauda.
NSW Country Eagles v Brisbane City
Sunday, 3pm AEST at Oakes Oval, Lismore
A ticket to South Africa and Argentina is the lure for Wallabies contender Will Genia who will start for Brisbane City against NSW Country, Damien Stannard reports.
If the halfback can wow Test selectors with a bustling 80-minute performance it might prove sufficient to earn a Wallabies recall for Rugby Championship clashes with the Springboks and Pumas.
He’s joined in the City line-up by another one-time Wallaby, with Reds flyer Lachie Turner named to start on the wing.
City suffered its first loss of the season when it was thumped 79-18 by frontrunners Melbourne Rising last weekend, but won’t find it any easier against unbeaten NSW Country.
Gun young winger Andrew Kellaway will be looking to continue the fantastic finishing form that sees him lead the NRC with six tries.
NSW Country Eagles:(1-15): Ben Suiala, Josh Mann-Rea, Michael Alaalatoa, Mitch Chapman, Ben Matwijow, Tala Gray, Will Miller, Steven Hoiles, Brendan McKibbin, Sam Windsor, Andrew Kellaway, Ed Stubbs, Samu Wara, John Grant, Patrick Dellit. Res: Clay Brodie, Jake Ilnicki, Will Weeks, Cam Treloar, Ita Vaea, Sam Croke, Darcy Etrich, Ethan Ford.
Brisbane City (1-15): David Faeo, Andrew Ready, Sef Faagase, Tim Buchanan, Dave McDuling (c), Adam Korczyk, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Jake McIntyre, Lachie Turner, Samu Kerevi, Toby White, Chris Kuridrani, Brando Va’aulu.
Reserves: Pettowa Paraka, Matt Mafi, Sam Talakai, Marco Kotze, Chazz Mahina, Nick Frisby, Jack Mullins, Junior Laloifi.
Canberra Vikings BYE
Originally published as NRC round four preview: Will Genia ramps up Wallabies comeback bid, Rising look to continue red-hot form