The Sydney Rays had a breakthrough season in 2016 making the playoffs for the first time since the reformation of the national third tier four years ago. Under Simon Cron, the Rays of 2016 were the most expansive team in the NRC playing an attractive brand of rugby that saw them finish in second position at the end of the minor rounds. But injuries took their toll and by the time that the playoffs rolled around the Rays were out on their feet and fell to eventual champions the Perth Spirit. Julian Huxley has stepped up to the head coaching role this year with Cron taking on a full-time role with the NSW Waratahs and he will bring a different take to what was an extremely successful formula. The derring do will be there again in the Rays game plan, but Huxley has beefed up his roster up front for those times when games need to be won by field position and grunt work. David Lolohea has come across from the Rams for a chance up front while the Australian U20s prop Cody Walk