It's the final round of the regular season in the 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship. Brisbane City need to beat the Greater Sydney Rams to retain the Horan-Little Shield and claim the minor premiership.
Meanwhile, five sides are still fighting for the two remaining finals spots with Sydney Stars, Melbourne Rising, CSU Country Eagles and the North Harbour Rays all in contention. The Perth Spirit has a bye but still has an outside chance of finals football if results go their way.
Round 9
Match: Queensland Country v UC Vikings
When: Thursday 15 October. Kick-off 6.30pm AEST
Where: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Match Referee: Graham Cooper
Broadcast Information: FOX SPORTS Channel 502
Queensland Country Form Guide: LWL
UC Vikings Form Guide: WWL
Last Time They Met: 06/09/14; UC Vikings 26-21 Queensland Country; Viking Park, Canberra
Match Notes: The Vikings' 100% start to the season ended last week with defeat at home to Brisbane City. The Vikings need to win and hope Brisbane City slip up against the Greater Sydney Rams to secure the minor premiership. Captain Jarrad Butler is the competition's second top try scorer with seven.
Match: Brisbane City v Greater Sydney Rams
When: Saturday 17 October. Kick-off 3.30pm AEST
Where: Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Match Referee: Jordan Way
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
Brisbane City Form Guide: WWW
Greater Sydney Rams Form Guide: LWL
Last Time They Met: 03/10/14; Greater Sydney Rams 56-29 Brisbane City; Pirtek Stadium, Sydney
Match Notes: The Rams were the last team to beat Brisbane City in the NRC and need a win this weekend to give them a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon. With the Horan-Little Shield on the line, Brisbane City need to win to secure the minor premiership.
Match: NSW Country Eagles v North Harbour Rays
When: Saturday 17 October. Kick-off 4.00pm AEDT
Where: Ann Ashwood Park, Bathurst
Match Referee: Nic Berry
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
NSW Country Eagles Form Guide: LWL
North Harbour Rays Form Guide: LLW
Last Time They Met: 04/09/14; North Harbour Rays 21-33 NSW Country Eagles; Brookvale Oval, Sydney
Match Notes: Both teams still harbour outside hopes of qualifying for the finals - nothing short of a comfortable victory for either side will likely be enough. Rays flyhalf Hamish Angus is third overall in the competition top points scorers with 77 to his name.
Match: Melbourne Rising v Sydney Stars
When: Sunday 18 October. Kick-off 1.30pm AEDT
Where: Frankston Oval, Frankston
Match Referee: Will Houston
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
Melbourne Rising Form Guide: LLW
Sydney Stars Form Guide: LWL
Last Time They Met: 31/08/14; Sydney Stars 13-45 Melbourne Rising; Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Match Notes: Any win for the Rising or Stars will guarantee a finals berth. The Stars travel to Victoria having only won one away game in their franchise history while the Rising have only lost one regular season home match since the competition started in August 2014.
2015 Buildcorp NRC standings after Round 8:
1 Brisbane City 33 points, 2 UC Vikings 30 points, 3 Sydney Stars 19 points, 4 Perth Spirit 16 points, 5 Melbourne Rising 16 points, 6 CSU Country Eagles 14 points, 7 North Harbour Rays 11 points, 8 Queensland Country 9 points, 9 Greater Sydney Rams 7 points
