NRC: Buildcorp National Rugby Championship - Round 3 preview
The third round of the 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship kicks off this Thursday night when 2014 minor premiers the Melbourne Rising travel to Sydney to take on the North Harbour Rays at Manly Oval. In the match-of-the-round, it's the Queensland derby, with Queensland Country taking on top-of-the-table Brisbane City at the Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba on Sunday.
Round 3
Match: North Harbour Rays v Melbourne Rising
When: Thursday 3 September. Kick-off 7.30pm AEST
Where: Manly Oval, Sydney.
Match Referee: Michael Hogan
Broadcast Information: FOX SPORTS Channel 502
North Harbour Rays Form Guide: LLW
Melbourne Rising Form Guide: LWL
Last Time They Met: 24/08/14; Melbourne Rising 55-34 North Harbour Rays; AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match Notes: Melbourne Rising are looking to bounce back following their first-ever regular season loss last weekend while the North Harbour Rays will be aiming to win their first home game in three attempts.
Match: UC Vikings v Greater Sydney Rams
When: Saturday 5 September. Kick-off 2pm AEST
Where: Viking Park, Canberra.
Match Referee: Will Houston
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
UC Vikings Form Guide: LLW
Greater Sydney Rams Form Guide: WLL
Last Time They Met: 28/08/14; UC Vikings 37-18 Greater Sydney Rams; Pirtek Stadium, Sydney
Match Notes: The Vikings won their first game since Round 3 last season when they beat the NSW Country Eagles last Saturday. The Rams, meanwhile, return from their bye week searching for their first win of the 2015 season.
Match: Sydney Stars v Perth Spirit
When: Saturday 5 September. Kick-off 3pm AEST
Where: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Match Referee: Mike Lash (NZ)
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
Sydney Stars Form Guide: WWW
Perth Spirit Form Guide: LLL
Last Time They Met: 28/09/14; Perth Spirit 63-21 Sydney Stars; HBF Arena, Perth
Match Notes: Two teams trending in different directions. The Sydney Stars are on a three-match winning streak - the only three games they have won in their short history. Prop Tom Robertson is the competition's leading try-scorer with three to his name.
Match: Queensland Country v Brisbane City
When: Sunday 6 September. Kick-off 3.30pm AEST
Where: Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba
Match Referee: Damien Mitchelmore
Broadcast Information: foxsports.com.au and FOX SPORTS Now
Queensland Country Form Guide: LLL
Brisbane City Form Guide: WWW
Last Time They Met: 28/09/14; Brisbane City 29-13 Queensland Country; Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Match Notes: Early season front-runners Brisbane City are expected to welcome Karmichael Hunt back in their ranks as they travel to Toowoomba looking to extend their six-match winning streak in the National Rugby Championship.
