Only two teams can make it through to the 2016 Buildcorp NRC grand final. We take a look at the key match-ups that could decide who makes it to the big dance.
NSW COUNTRY EAGLES (1) V MELBOURNE RISING (4)
Saturday 15 October, 3:00pm (AEDT) at Sportsground No. 2, Newcastle
The Wallabies impact.
Not that the first semi-final needed any more spice, both sides have two players returning from the Wallabies set-up to boost their match day squads. The Country Eagles are going to put out a commanding front row, with skipper Paddy Ryan joined by new Wallaby prop Tom Robertson and recent national squad addition Tolu Latu. Robertson has played in the last three tests, while Latu’s early NRC form put him firmly on Michael Cheika’s radar.
The Rising have no shortage of firepower either, with Super Sefa Naivalu and James Hanson returning as the Rising look to make their first ever grand-final. Naivalu played his maiden test in Pretoria coming off the bench while Hanson has been back-up hooker for the last two internationals. The last time these two met the Eagles got away with a two-point win, this time around it could come down to which Wallabies make the biggest impact.
SYDNEY RAYS (2) V PERTH SPIRIT (3)
Sunday 16 October, 3:00pm (AEDT) at Pittwater Park
The rock solid v the new combo.
The Rays 2016 season has been built on consistency. The halves pairing of skipper Matt Lucas and Angus Sinclair have been arguably the best in the whole competition, steering the forwards around the park and opening up space for the outside backs. Sinclair’s Shute Shield combination with inside centre Irae Simone has proved extremely fruitful for coach Simon Cron who is also their club coach back at Norths.
Perth on the other hand have been dealt a massive blow ahead of the semi-final, losing last year’s Buildcorp NRC Player of the Year, flyhalf and skipper, Jono Lance. It means Ryan Louwrens and Ian Prior will step up into the starting nine and 10 for the first time this season. They are both Super Rugby regulars with plenty of experience but will no doubt have their hands full as they look to bring down the Rays and make their second NRC grand-final.
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