Brisbane City make it a double
In a match played almost nothing like any NRC game in the last two years, City prevailed in a compelling affair befitting a World Cup knockout stage. Despite a tournament average of almost ten tries in every game, three tries to two was enough for Brisbane to take the title.
An outstanding second-half defensive effort saw City home, after they were able to equalise both Canberra’s first half tries. Jake McIntyre’s two conversions from three attempts proved crucial, with Vikings fullback Isaac Thompson missing both first half attempts.
Replacement wing Alex Gibbon scored the matchwinner for City in the 73rd minute, which McIntyre converted to push the lead out to 21-10, and from there they were able to hold on in front of 4,327 supporters at Ballymore.
Brisbane have now stretched their unbeaten run out to 14 games across the two season of the NRC, and have repeated the Championship form of 2014, where they beat Perth Spirit in the decider 37-26.
The scorers:
For Brisbane City:
Tries: Neville, Frisby, Gibbon
Cons: McIntyre 2
For Canberra Vikings:
Tries: Fainifo, Thompson
Teams:
Brisbane City: 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Junior Laloifi, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Adam Korczyk, 7 Liam Gill (captain), 6 Luke Beauchamp, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Ben Hyne, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 Matt Mafi.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Freney, 17 Markus Vanzati, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Corey Thomas, 20 Waita Setu, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Alex Gibbon, 23 Mika Tela.
Canberra Vikings: 15 Isaac Thompson, 14 James Dargaville, 13 Nigel Ah Wong, 12 Rodney Iona, 11 Jerome Niumata, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Jarrad Butler (captain), 6 Dean Oakman-Hunt, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Allan Alaalatoa.
Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Sione Taula, 18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19 Michael Oakman-Hunt, 20 Rowan Perry, 21 Brent Hamlin, 22 Mitch Third, 23 Francis Fainifo.
