The second round of the 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship kicks off this Thursday night when Queensland Country cross the border to take on the Sydney Stars. In the match-of-the-round, the Melbourne Rising entertain a star-studded Brisbane City side on Saturday afternoon.
Round 2
Match: Sydney Stars v Queensland Country
When: Thursday 27 August. Kick-off 7.30pm AEST
Where: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.
Match Referee: Graham Cooper
Broadcast Information: FOX SPORTS Channel 502
Sydney Stars Form Guide: LWW
Queensland Country Form Guide: WLL
Last Time They Met: 11/10/14; Queensland Country 53-29 Sydney Stars; Mike Carney Toyota Park, Townsville
Match Notes: The Stars and Queensland Country finished in the bottom two spots on the ladder in the 2014 Buildcorp NRC, but have already both shown enough to suggest they'll be challenging for finals football this time around.
Match: Melbourne Rising v Brisbane City
When: Saturday 29 August. Kick-off 2pm AEST
Where: Harlequin Rugby Park, Melbourne.
Match Referee: Angus Gardner
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
Melbourne Rising Form Guide: WLW
Brisbane City Form Guide: WWW
Last Time They Met: 06/09/14; Melbourne Rising 79-18 Brisbane City; Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Match Notes: In the match of the competition heavyweights, premiers Brisbane City will be looking to avenge last year's heavy home defeat to the Melbourne Rising when they take on the same opposition for the Horan-Little Shield.
Match: NSW Country Eagles v UC Vikings
When: Saturday 29 August. Kick-off 3pm AEST
Where: Woollahra Oval, Sydney.
Match Referee: Mike Lash (NZ)
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
NSW Country Eagles Form Guide: WLW
UC Vikings Form Guide: DLL
Last Time They Met: 11/10/14; NSW Country Eagles 42-37 UC Vikings; Viking Park, Canberra
Match Notes: With a squad packed with Super Rugby talent, the Vikings from the nation's capital kick-off their 2015 campaign when they travel to Sydney's Eastern Suburbs to take on a NSW Country Eagles side looking to go two from two.
Match: Perth Spirit v North Harbour Rays
When: Saturday 29 August. Kick-off 3.30pm AWST
Where: McGillivray Fields, UWA Park, Perth.
Match Referee: Andrew Lees
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
Perth Spirit Form Guide: WLL
North Harbour Rays Form Guide: LLL
Last Time They Met: 20/09/14; North Harbour Rays 32-29 Perth Spirit; Brookvale Oval, Sydney
Match Notes: Perth Spirit have scored an eye-opening 131 points in their past two NRC home games and play a North Harbour Rays team who have only won once on the road since the competition's inception in 2014.
