SPIRIT SIDE NAMED TO RAID VIKINGS

[Saxon91]

If the side was made up from club players only,we would get smashed

Does it really matter if you lose a few NRC games but find some good local talent. Otherwise just like previous perth players, they will find another option. Example zac Holmes. Gets a contract with the brumbies and all of a sudden the force want him back. There is definitely more examples of this aswell

[Invictus]

On paper it looks like the Spirit is about to get a spanking.

Hope I'm wrong!!

[Ralto]

team is not a strong as i had hoped for.

Interesting in the front row, especially seeing the Force didn't feel Ruan and JP were up to it. Rory captain mmm, yeh mmmmm.

[Alison]

Rory's chance to prove himself and show he's serious about his rugby?

[Tonkar]

I not sure where some negative comments come from as this bunch of players has never played as a team and like many other NRC teams..If you go on individual form then we have no Idea I agree with the Positive posts let them run and see what happens.. We as Sea Of Blue Supporters know it takes time and commitment and I hope these young fellows show us some exciting rugby...
If 50% of these young guy put in 110% then what a great off season we will have and I hope RWA have the team members ready to sign to stop poching from the east
Home Grown Veges always taste best... Looking forward to the games go the spirit

[GIGS20]

If the side was made up from club players only,we would get smashed

Not disagreeing, but if the team was made up from only force payers we'd probably win the battle, and lose the war.

[AndyS]

I suppose it depends on what the first battle is. Before anything, we need to make sure we have a well followed and financial competition...the ARC won the development battle, but how did the war pan out? It is a tough one, as there is little indication as to how people will take to this or the effect of winning/losing/selection. I would certainly feel a lot happier if there were more apparent promotion, but based on the first game I'd say the rugby could well prove more professional than the competition administration.

[Alison]

I think the problem is that the competition is being run on a shoestring budget. I'm sure the staff are doing their best but the lack of resources means they can only do so much.

[Sheikh]

From the look of the first match, the Brisbane team fielded some fringe Reds and a collection of players from Brisbane club rugby (some of them may have been in the EPS/WTS). Seemed to work for them extremely well. I didn't catch the Sydney team, but didn't recognise too many of the players out there.

(Actually, I've just read the report and it said Paddy Ryan was the starting THP - that I didn't realise this either means that the next level down are playing well, or that Ryan really isn't all he's cracked up to be!)

The Spirit seem to be looking at similar lines for their squad - fringe players and locals to see who has what it takes to step up, which IMO is exactly what this competition should be.

[Invictus]

Hope the Spirit go out and have a real crack like the two sides on Thursday night. Great pity it isn't being televised.

[The InnFORCEr]

Go "rape and pillage" the Vikings with Spirit

[Buddha Handy]

(Actually, I've just read the report and it said Paddy Ryan was the starting THP - that I didn't realise this either means that the next level down are playing well, or that Ryan really isn't all he's cracked up to be!)

Good point, I didn't notice him either. Also Jake Shatz was playing and I didn't think he stood out. Kerevi and Frisby looked a class above the others.

I think overall the standard was pretty high though and that may show the strength of the QLD and NSW comps and hopefully the boys from Premier Grade here can prove they are at that level.

[jargan83]

Also Jake Shatz was playing and I didn't think he stood out.

I didn't even notice Schatz was playing until they put the graphic on screen saying he had been subbed off.

[Ralto]

Good point, I didn't notice him either. Also Jake Shatz was playing and I didn't think he stood out. Kerevi and Frisby looked a class above the others.

Great point, I hope that this comp will help in some cases to unseat "pretenders", and give guys a crack at the top jobs - if this is one thing the Championship does - then good oh - power to it.

[James]

Does anyone know much about Alec Hepburn? It seems strange to me that a talented England U20 prop would surface in Perth without a contract unless maybe he was brought over as part of the Future Force program or something.