The ultimate guide to the 2015 National Rugby Championships
The 2015 National Rugby Championships began last night with 2014 premiers Brisbane City defeating Perth Spirit 29-16 in a rematch of last year’s decider.
Over the next 3 months, the future of Australian rugby will be out to prove they can match it with the countries best talent in the hope of securing a professional contract. Oh yeah, and there’s a few games being played over in the UK as well.
Rugby News has spent the last few weeks getting around to all nine NRC franchises to compile the ultimate guide to the 2015 NRC.
BRISBANE CITY
There’s no two ways about it, Brisbane City demand favouritism for the 2015 National Rugby Championships, which the side will kick-off on Thursday night against Perth Spirit.
PERTH SPIRIT
Eleven points was all that separated Perth Spirit from the inaugural National Rugby Championship (NRC) title, going down 37-26 to Brisbane City in the 2014 final.
MELBOURNE RISING
After securing the inaugural National Rugby Championship (NRC) minor premiership in 2014, Melbourne Rising’s bid for the major title fell agonisingly short.
NSW COUNTRY EAGLES
Despite many of the side’s best from 2014 not returning to don the burnt gold and black again, NSW Country coach Darren Coleman is confident the Eagles can replicate their form, and hopefully results, from last season.
GREATER SYDNEY RAMS
Injury riddled and hanging on by a thread, a 58-40 final round loss to Melbourne Rising forced the Greater Sydney Rams to swallow the bitter pill of finishing fifth last season, one spot and one point outside the National Rugby Championship (NRC) top four.
UC VIKINGS
With a strong preparation under their belts, you could be forgiven for thinking a bye in the 2015 National Rugby Championships’ opening round is the last thing the University of Canberra Vikings would want.
NORTH HARBOUR RAYS
North Harbour showed glimpses of brilliance in last year’s inaugural National Rugby Championship (NRC), but with equally as many disappointing lowlights the Rays are desperate to improve on last year’s seventh finish.
QLD COUNTRY
In 2014 Queensland Country’s results were disappointing, to say the least. No one at the franchise is hiding that, least of all head coach Jason Gilmore.
SYDNEY STARS
While the Sydney Stars’ focus is firmly on development, and providing opportunities, in the 2015 National Rugby Championship, head coach Peter Playford said in no uncertain terms, results still matter.