After failing to reach the finals in 2014 and 2015, the rebranded Sydney Rays have named their strongest squad in the franchises short history, to be led by Northern Suburbs coach Simon Cron. Cron coached Norths to their first Shute Shield premiership in 41 years earlier this month and has named 11 Shoreman in his squad, alongside NSW Waratahs' Matt Lucas and Jack Dempsey and Australian Sevens stars Cam Clark and Con Foley. The Rays open their season against the Western Sydney Rams this weekend and Cron has high expectations for his side. Overview - With Simon Cron "There isn’t a lot of time between the end of the Shute Shield season and the start of the NRC but from what I’ve seen in the time we’ve been together, I’m really happy with the group. They are a good bunch of guys and are all similar personality types, which I think is important in a short campaign. "In the first few weeks, I think combinations will be really important and you want guys that know each other.