The last two undefeated sides in the 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship go toe-to-toe in the nation's capital this weekend when the UC Vikings entertain Brisbane City at Viking Park, Canberra.
Both sides have won six from six in the current campaign with Saturday's game going a long way to deciding who will be minor premiers this season. To whet the appetite still further, the Vikings and City will play for the Horan-Little Shield.
The round kicks off on Thursday in a crucial game in the race for finals football. The CSU NSW Country Eagles (fourth) travel to Victoria to take on fifth-placed Melbourne Rising at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
Elsewhere, the North Harbour Rays take on Queensland Country at Pittwater Rugby Park with the Greater Sydney Rams hosting Perth Spirit at Concord Oval in Sydney's inner-west.
Round 8
Match: Melbourne Rising v CSU NSW Country Eagles
When: Thursday 8 October. Kick-off 7.30pm AEDT
Where: Simonds Stadium, Geelong
Match Referee: Matt O'Brien
Broadcast Information: FOX SPORTS Rugby World Cup Channel 502
Melbourne Rising Form Guide: WLL
CSU NSW Country Eagles Form Guide: LLW
Last Time They Met: 20/09/14; NSW Country Eagles 16-37 Melbourne Rising; Wade Park, Orange
Match Notes: Fifth plays fourth when the Melbourne Rising take on the NSW Country Eagles in Thursday's broadcast match. Jack Debreczeni is the second top competition points scorer with 69, one clear of Queensland Country's Sam Greene while the NSW Country Eagles are searching from their third win from four away matches in 2015.
Match: UC Vikings v Brisbane City
When: Saturday 10 October. Kick-off 2.00pm AEDT
Where: Viking Park, Canberra
Match Referee: Andrew Lees
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
UC Vikings Form Guide: WWW
Brisbane City Form Guide: WWW
Last Time They Met: 18/10/14; Brisbane City 37-16 UC Vikings; Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match Notes: These teams have won 12 straight games between them in 2015. Brisbane City's Junior Laloifi is the competition top try scorer with 10 to his name after last week's four-try haul against the Sydney Stars last Friday. The Horan-Little Shield will be on the line at Viking Park.
Match: North Harbour Rays v Queensland Country
When: Saturday 10 October. Kick-off 3.00pm AEDT
Where: Pittwater Rugby Park, Sydney
Match Referee: Ed Martin
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
North Harbour Rays Form Guide: LLL
Queensland Country Form Guide: WLW
Last Time They Met: 13/09/14; Queensland Country 29-32 North Harbour Rays; Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match Notes: The Rays slipped to the foot of the 2015 competition ladder after defeat to the Greater Sydney Rams last week, while Queensland Country are aiming for a third straight win on the road for the first time in the club's short history.
Match: Greater Sydney Rams v Perth Spirit
When: Saturday 10 October. Kick-off 3.00pm AEDT
Where: Concord Oval, Sydney
Match Referee: Rohan Hoffman
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
Greater Sydney Rams Form Guide: LLW
Perth Spirit Form Guide: WWL
Last Time They Met: 06/09/14; Perth 34-44 Greater Sydney Rams; Adelaide Airport Stadium, Adelaide
Match Notes: Perth Spirit need a convincing win in the Harbour City to give themselves a mathematical chance of finals football. Greater Sydney Rams' victory last week against the Rays was their first Buildcorp NRC win since defeating Brisbane City in Round 7 in 2014 - a run of six matches.
Bye: Sydney Stars
2015 Buildcorp NRC standings after seven rounds:
1 Brisbane City 29 points
2 UC Vikings 29 points
3 Sydney Stars 19 points
4 CSU Country Eagles 13 points
5 Melbourne Rising 12 points
6 Perth Spirit 11 points
7 Queensland Country 9 points
8 Greater Sydney Rams 7 points
9 North Harbour Rays 6 points
