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 Walker will also get his chance.

At lock Dave McDuling, a well travelled professional who had starts at the Tahs this year, will add experience and depth.

Waratahs Damien Fitzpatrick, Cam Clark, Irae Simone and Bryce Hegarty are all in the squad which has a pretty hot looking backline no matter which combination you run with.

Brumbies scrumhalf Dewet Roos was penciled in as the starting No.9 but his knee injury has ruled him out of the entire NRC season.

This has given a chance to young Northern Suburbs scrumhalf Nick Duffy and another one of Cron’s squad at the recent under 20 World Cup, Harry Nucifora.

The try scoring sensation of the Shute Shield Paula Balekana gets the chance to show his worth at the next level and it will be fascinating to see how he develops.

The Gordon flyer, as well as being the top try scorer In the Shute Shield, top the categories for tackles busts and metres gained.

Huxley is particuarly keen to see how Sydney Uni centre Guy Porter develops.

Porter has had a couple of injury setbacks in recent seasons but showed at the Students this year that he is worthy of a crack at NRC level.

Player to watch – Paula Balakena (Gordon)

The Gordon winger Paula Balakena finished the 2017 Shute Shield season with 22 five pointers and is expected to light up the NRC playing on the end of an exciting, expansive backline.

Sydney Rays 2017 squad

Paula Balekana, Harry Bergelin, Harry Burey, Apolosi Latunipulu, Cam Clark, Tom Connor, Nick Duffy, Lawrance Hunting, Damien Fitzpatrick, Bryce Hegarty, James Hilterbrand, Harry Jones, Harry Nucifora, Sam Lane, David Lolohea, Erza Luxton, Alex Perez, Angus Sinclair, Guy Porter, Angus Ryan, Rohan Saifoloi, Irae Simone, Dave McDuling, Hugh Sinclair, Alefosio Tatola, Josh Turner, Sam Kitchen, Conor Vest, Cody Walker, Alex Westgarth.