NRC Rnd 4: NSW Country Eagles v Sydney Stars

[Hugh Jarse]

vs

Where: Chillingworth Oval, Tamworth (https://www.google.com/maps/place/31°06'16.0"S 150°55'13.1"E/@-31.104438,150.920305,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0)
When: Saturday 12 September. Kick off at 3:00pm AEST

Match Referee: Michael Hogan
Assistant Referees: James Leckie, Andrew Cox

Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now


2015 NSW Country Eagles Form Guide: WLB
2015 Sydney Stars Form Guide: WWW

Last Time They Met: 06/10/14; Sydney Stars 24 - 26 Greater Sydney Rams; Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Match Notes: Fresh from the bye, NSW Country will be confident of knocking over the Stars in the heart of country NSW in Tamworth. The Stars are undefeated in 2015 and will be aiming to win their fourth match in a row.

CSU NSW Country Eagles
1. Jerome VAAI
2. Tom SEXTON
3. Dashville KUATE
4. Tom STANIFORTH
5. Sam LOUISI
6. Ned Hanigan
7. Mark BALDWIN
8. Sam FIGG
9. Mitch SHORT
10. Jono LANCE
11. Joel BROOKS
12. David HORWITZ
13. Charlie CLIFTON
14. Jarome MACKENZIE
15. Andrew KELLAWAY

16. Ryan DALZIEL
17. Dane MARAKI
18. Andrew COLLINS
19. Nick PALMER
20. Sam CROKE
21. Dave HARVEY
22. Will FAY
23. Jack PENNINGTON

Sydney Stars
1. Alastair RYAN
2. Tom COOLICAN
3. Tom ROBERTSON
4. Jeremy TILSE
5. Matt PHILIP
6. Michael KOVACIC
7. Rohan O’REGAN
8. Mitchell WHITELEY
9. Jake GORDON
10. Angus ROBERTS
11. Harry JONES
12. Andrew ROBINSON
13. Jim STEWART
14. Christian YASSMIN
15. Tom KINGSTON (c)

16. Declan MOORE
17. Alasdair KING
18. Matt SANDELL
19. Nick COLDRAKE
20. John MOKOFISI
21. Richard DRAPER
22. Jordan McGREGOR
23. Sam BARCLAY

@RugbyReg says (http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/nrc-2015-round-4-preview/)
The Stars are heading to Tamworth this weekend and it’s not for the Country Music Awards. NSW Country’s latest home ground will be Chillingworth Oval in the state’s New England region in what the Eagles will be hoping will provide them an upset win over the competition’s glamour team.
NSW Country are coming off the bye this round with a fairly comprehensive loss to the Vikings in Round 2 their latest result. Meanwhile the Stars remain undefeated and sitting just below Brisbane City on the competition ladder.
Key Match ups:
Boom rookie Ned Hanigan, who has played so strongly at lock for the Eagles this year, has been moved to blindside flanker in an effort to boost NSW Country’s set piece, and take advantage of his mobility. Also on the move this weekend is Waratah prop, Jeremy Tilse, moving back a row into the second row, alongside inform lock Matt Philip. The 190cm Tilse has had club level experience at lock for Sydney Uni so it will be interesting to see if the Stars pack can maintain the high work rate they have so far this year.
Wider out expect to see some sensational running from the two fullbacks Andrew Kellaway and Tom Kingston. Kingston, having been shunted around the backline in his professional career so far, has really found his groove in the 15 jersey and has been a dangerous weapon for the Stars this season. Kellaway, as always, remains a try scoring machine for the Eagles. After topping the try-scorers list last year, with 9, he’s managed to cross the line in both his appearances this year for an average of one try every match he plays.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

From Rugby News (http://www.rugbynews.net.au/the-secrets-behind-the-sydney-stars-success/)

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Stars with a mounting injury toll leaving only 18 fully fit players, from the original 37 man squad, ahead Saturday’s game.
Captain David Hickey (hand) and lock Andrew Leota (neck) join a raft of experience on the sideline, leading to the addition two new players to the squad – which will be named on Friday.
“I’ve had to pull in some players from outside the squad which is always good, it’s about providing an opportunity for these players” Playford said.
“We have a lot of young guys and this year I’ve gone outside the walls of Uni to make sure that we’ve got players that are first grade and NRC standard, where last year we fell away in certain areas.”

With only 18/37 players fit, it may be prudent to hold off on locking your tips for the weekend's game until the Stars team is announced tomorrow. Rugby News have announced a team on their website (http://www.rugbynews.net.au/2015-nrc-round-4-team-lists/), but as it includes David Hickey, I am a little sceptical of the accuracy of that list given Playford's statement to Rugby News.

Leota and Hickey have performed well for the Stars so far. With Clunies-Ross out with a long term ankle injury (R2), their depth will be tested.

This game could be one that the Eagles are targeting for a win. I particularly like the look of the Eagles loose forwards.

 

[qwerty51]

So.. where's Beau Robinson?

 

[RugbyReg]

So.. where's Beau Robinson?

still injured apparently.

Meanwhile, Stars side named. A few injuries and unavailability is really testing their depth. I wouldn't be surprised to see a NSW Country victory this weekend.

Stars: 1. Alastair Ryan , 2. Tom Coolican , 3. Tom Robertson , 4. Jeremy Tilse , 5. Matt Philip , 6. Michael Kovacic , 7. Rohan O’regan , 8. Mitchell Whiteley , 9. Jake Gordon , 10. Angus Roberts , 11. Harry Jones , 12. Andrew Robinson , 13. Jim Stewart , 14. Christian Yassmin , 15. Tom Kingston (c).,
16. Declan Moore , 17. Alasdair King , 18. Matt Sandell , 19. Nick Coldrake , 20. John Mokofisi , 21. Richard Draper , 22. Jordan Mcgregor , 23. Sam Barclay ,

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Wow. Playford was right that his depth is being tested.

Compared to the Wikipedia squad for them, the following are being rested/injured
Paddy Ryan - Super Rugby Player
Tolu Latu - Super Rugby Player
James Hanson - Super Rugby Player & Wallaby Fringe
David Dennis - Super Rugby Player & Wallaby Fringe
Loma Kaveinga
Ofa Finau
David Hickey
Andrew Leota
Pat McCutcheon - Super Rugby Player
Jake Wainwright
Theo Strang
Ben Hughes
Tom Carter - Former Super Rugby Player with more comebacks then Johnny Farnham
John Hale
Henry Clunies-Ross - Super Rugby Player
Guy Porter

New Folk are:
Michael Kovacic (from Eastwood - Rams NRC 2014)
Nick Coaldrake (from Wider Training Squad)
John Mokofisi (from Sydney Uni 3rd Grade)
Sam Barclay (from Wider Training Squad)

That is some serious firepower and experience absent from the Stars engine room, and they are going to struggle up against a rejuvenated Eagles fresh from the Bye. From the potential 14 current, 2016 contractee, or former Super Rugby players, they will only have 7 of them in the 23 for Tamworth - Robertson, Tilse, Gordon, Roberts, Stewart, Jones & Kingston.

Off to Superbru to revise my tip for this game. The Stars unbeaten run may be under threat and there may not be any twinkling of the stars in the clear country Northern Tablelands air.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

seeing the stars team, can I now change my tips?

I also like how they write a full A4 page on team selection but don''t mention Tilse playing at lock....

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^ Do you mean on this page? http://www.sydneystarsrugby.com.au/stars-team-announced-round-4-2015/

It mentions that Tilse has gone to No 4 to replace Leota.

Also explains the absence of 3 Balmain players - for club GF duties. Surprised to see that Tummy Carter has been stood down after being cited for a tackle last week. Will need to watch the replay again on Fox on Demand. Can't recall anything untoward. That would have to be the first citing from NRC 2015, noting that Dennis Pili-Gaitau may have a meeting with the Judiciary after his two Yellow Card inspired Red Card last night.

No mention of why Dennis and McCutcheon have not been selected. I assume Latu is being rested/recovering from Barbars duties, and IIRC I think there has been mention of Ryan having "off-season" surgery. Hanson may still be with the Wobs on extended training squad duties.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Food and Wine at the Ground. Bravo.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Has anyone seen David Pocock and Mark Baldwin in the same room?

 

[Hawko]

Jeremy Tilse playing lock? I know he is tall for a front rower but that is ridiculous. Stars are seriously crocked. If Country doesn't walk away with it then we should call in the stewards and swab the lot of them!

 

[Brumby Runner]

Jeremy Tilse playing lock? I know he is tall for a front rower but that is ridiculous. Stars are seriously crocked. If Country doesn't walk away with it then we should call in the stewards and swab the lot of them!

Not such a surprise. Played lock for Sydney Uni in the Shute Shield towards the end of the season.

 

[qwerty51]

Not such a surprise. Played lock for Sydney Uni in the Shute Shield towards the end of the season.

To be fair they only did that because of player points issues.

 

[Brumby Runner]

To be fair they only did that because of player points issues.

And now the Stars are only doing it because of injury problems.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Eagles 16 Stars 0 after 31 minutes.

Try to Eagles flyhalf Jono Lance! Pierces over close to the line after a long run from Charlie Clifton. Converted, 8-0.


Country Eagles outside centre Charlie Clifton crosses for their second try. Jono Lance converts, 16-0.

Jake Gordon scores for Stars after 35 minutes. Conversion misses from out wide. Eagles 16 Stars 5. 36 minutes gone.

Pushover Try to Whitely for the Stars in the shadow of Oranges. Angus conversion is good. Eagles 16 Stars 13.

Oranges at Tamworth with the score at 16 - 13 in Eagles favour.

Halftime Summary
NSW Country Eagles 16
Tries: J. Lance (21), C. Clifton (27)
Conversions: J. Lance (23), J. Lance (28)

Sydney Stars 13
Tries: J. Gordon (34), M. Whiteley (40)
Conversions: A. Roberts (40)

Pic: @Discomclennan twitter

Beautiful looking day in Tamworth. Field looks very well presented.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Two quick Meat pies to the Eagles to open up the second stanza, one converted. Lance & Clifton both get their second dose of meat.

Eagles lead 29 - 13 Stars.

NSW Country Eagles 29
Tries: J. Lance (21), C. Clifton (27), J. Lance (46), C. Clifton (49)
Conversions: J. Lance (23), J. Lance (28), J. Lance (50)

Sydney Stars 13
Tries: J. Gordon (34), M. Whiteley (40)
Conversions: A. Roberts (40)

Subs: O'Reagan, and Ryan off. King, & Mokofisi on for Stars.

 

[blindsider]

Food and Wine at the Ground. Bravo.

How do I put that into my browser??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Should be able to see it via twitter.

Jordon McGregor, Richard Draper is on for the Stars. McGregor on for Jim Stewart?.

Harry Jones scores in the corner, after Stars tighthead reaching over the corner post. Must have been close to being out. But Sir toots the Acme Thunderer. Roberts converts.
Eagles 29 Stars 21.

Harry Jones gets his second meat pie in the corner. No controversy this time. Conversion misses. Eagles 29 Stars 26.

Sam Croke, Andrew (Tank) Collins on for Eagles. Declan Moore on for Stars.

Dave Harvey, Jack Pennington, Ryan Dalzeil, Nick Palmer on for Eagles. Sam Barclay on for Stars.

Sam Figg Meat Pie for Eagles, Converted. Eagles 37 Stars 26

Tank Collins shown the Cheese for a shoulder charge with 2 minutes to go.

Mitch Whitely grabs his own meat pie with time almost up. Angus Roberts tries drop kick conversion for speed and misses. Eagles 37 Stars 31.

Fat Lady sings. Stars will not twinkle tonight in Tamworth. NSW Country Eagles win 37 - 31.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Fulltime Summary
NSW Country Eagles 37
Tries: J. Lance (21), C. Clifton (27), J. Lance (46), C. Clifton (49), S Figg (70)
Conversions: J. Lance (23), J. Lance (28), J. Lance (50), J. Lance (72)

Sydney Stars 31
Tries: J. Gordon (34), M. Whiteley (40), H. Jones (61), H. Jones (64), M. Whiteley (78)
Conversions: A. Roberts (40), A. Roberts (63)
Conversions the difference on the scoreboard. Breakdown accuracy the difference on the field.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Close match...but gees was painful for me to try and watch - and no not because of the game but trying to log on as could not get onto the stream until just before half time (not sure if bandwidth issues as streamed from tamworth) but kept getting foxsports error and apologies message....eventually got on but kept having stream freeze etc.....

But not complaining as appreciate live streams will come with some technical issues and still appreciative all games available to be viewed given commercial constraints.

For stars given players out etc performed well.... eagles won't be in final 4 and Sydney Stars still predict as top 4 side but need some players back to win against bigger clubs like Vikings, Rising and Brisbane.

 

[blindsider]

Food and Wine at the Ground. Bravo.

Thanks mate. Worked out my foxtel online stuff now. Good quality! Thanks


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