by Paul Cook - Given a roster that contained a host of ACT Brumbies, the expectations were that the University of Canberra Vikings would be a major contender for the inaugural NRC title in 2014. Instead, it’s probably fair to say that they disappointed more than most, racking up only two wins from their eight games to finish 6th on the ladder and out of finals contention. At the halfway point of the 2015 season however, the Vikings are taking the competition by storm, lying second behind pacesetters Brisbane City, having claimed three wins from three starts and still with a game in hand on the reigning Premiers. And while points were a problem in 2014 – they averaged just over 26 per match with only Queensland Country scoring less across the eight regular season matches – the class of 2015 has proven to be both easier on the eye and far more productive, averaging over 40pts a game and a try every 15 minutes. So what’s the difference? According to Jordan Smiler, one of only