NRC: Spirit out to spoil Country party

Sat, Oct 22, 2016, 5:30 AM
Marty Cambridge
by Marty Cambridge
Luke Morahan would rather be playing for the Wallabies in Auckland but concedes a Buildcorp NRC grand final is a pretty good alternative. The fullback hopes to help Perth Spirit claim their first championship tonight.

Perth Spirit flew under the radar to make the top four at the end but they’re well and truly in the spotlight in tonight’s grand final.

They take on the NSW Country Eagles in the battle for the Buildcorp NRC trophy in Tamworth in their second grand final in three seasons.

“They do say that (you’ve got to lose one to win one) so hopefully that is the case,” Spirit fullback, Luke Morahan said.

“It may not be, they’re a very good opposition and we’ll have to play our best game of the year to get up.

“Both teams have played well all season and it’s rightfully so that we’re both in the final.”


Perth made the 2014 decider but went down to two time champions Brisbane City, the boys from the west lacking no motivation to go one better.

It’s centre Ben Tapuai’s first season of NRC and also Is full first year playing in the west and has no doubt his side is up for the challenge.

“Being in Perth for the past 12 months, you can see in the boys eyes their desire to win,” Tapuai said.

“Hopefully we can do it for the fans back home in Perth, it’s been a long time coming but hopefully we can hold the silverware.” 

The two sides met at Concord Oval in Round 5 where the Country side won by 24 points.

Today's triple header of Rugby action starts with the Wallaroos and New Zealand at 3:05pm, the Bledisloe Cup at 5:35pm, and then Buildcorp NRC Final at 7:45pm. All live on FOXSPORTS 502 (All times AEDT).

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