Concord Oval's NRC double header is just a part of an eclectic day of rugby for Sydney’s inner west on Saturday.
A blockbuster Western Sydney Rams-Queensland Country clash between big name locks Will Skelton and Brad Thorn, who is making his NRC debut at 41, will headline the afternoon’s action but that’s only the beginning.
That match will be preceded by the top of the table NSW Country Eagles against the Perth Spirit, in a game that was moved to Concord from Orange after torrential rain.
Skelton will start for the Western Sydney Rams, while All Blacks legend Thorn will be coming off the bench to make an impact for Queensland Country, as both sides search for their first win of the season.
The Rams have worked to embrace their Pacific Islander community in the west, and will stage the Rams Pacific Cup around the two NRC matchups.
Teams from NSW’s New Zealand and Pacific Island communities will face off against each other in the Rams Pacific Cup kick-off.
NSW Tonga will take on NSW Maoris at 10:15am in the opening match of the Cup, before NSW Fiji and NSW Samoa kick off at 11:40am
The move is just the start of a Pacific Island showcase in the NRC this season, with a round 7 Pacific Island round coming up as well.
The final match of the Pacific Cup will follow the NRC clashes, with NSW Maori taking on NSW Samoa at 4:45pm.
NRC at CONCORD OVAL
NSW Maori vs NSW Tonga – 10:15am
NSW Fiji vs NSW Samoa – 11:40am
NSW Country Eagles vs Perth Spirit – 1pm
Western Sydney Rams vs Queensland Country – 3pm
NSW Maori vs NSW Samoa – 4:45pm
