Rays v Rams, preview

[Burgs]

Rays v Rams, preview

August 16, 2007 - 11:24am
Story by: Sportal

Venue & time

Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Saturday Aug 18, 3pm (AEST)

Head to head

Debut clash

Walking wounded & team changes

Australia A fullback Peter Hewat and Wallabies prop Al Baxter make their first appearance for the Rays this season. Test number eight Wycliff Palu has overcome his minor hamstring complaint from last weekend and will start the match.

The Rams have lost Test prop Benn Robinson for the season with a broken foot. He joins scrumhalf Josh Valentine (wrist) and Tom Carter (ankle) on the long-term injury list. Former Australia under 21 prop Ben Alexander takes over for Robinson, Wil Brame is at openside flanker and Lachlan Mitchell plays his first game in the Mazda ARC at outside centre. After last week's last-minute switch, Kurtley Beale has been named at flyhalf with Lachie Turner at fullback.

Form

Both sides lost their opening matches in the Mazda ARC but it has to be said the Rays showed more form to start the season.

The Rays dominated the opening half of last week's match against the Fleet to lead 16-3 early in the second half. But they fatigued noticeably, lost concentration and ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

The Rams looked below-par in their opening match of the Mazda ARC against the Spirit last week. They were beaten at the breakdown and were starved of possession then exposed on the wings by Perth when their dogged defence eventually thinned.

Who's hot

Palu impressed in his 40-minute stint last start, while Rays skipper Cameron Treloar was everywhere in both attack and defence and seemed to take well the experimental rules. Brett Sheehan was busy in attack while prop Ofa Fainga'anuku was one of the Rays standouts.

Rams centre Chris Siale was tough in defence and his persistence paid off in attack with the Rams sole try against the Spirit. Ben Hand was strong up front, winger Ben Martin showed he is dangerous with the boot, while Kurtley Beale did well when thrown into the flyhalf role at the last minute last week.

This Saturday's match-up between fullbacks Hewat and Turner and flyhalves Sam Norton-Knight and Beale will be a highlight.

Teams

Central Coast Rays

1. Ofa Fainga'anuku
2. Al Manning
3. Aaron Tawera
4. Cameron Treloar [c]
5. Chris Thomson
6. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
7. Beau Robinson
8. Jason Peseta

9. Brett Sheehan
10. Sam Norton-Knight
11. Jordan Macey
12. Sam Harris
13. Ben Jacobs
14. Andrew Smith
15. Peter Hewat

16. Alex Gluth
17. John Adams
18. Nifo Nifo
19. Viliame Ratu
20. David Harvey
21. Ross Duncan
22. Jye Mullane


Western Sydney Rams

1. Ben Alexander
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau [vc]
3. James Lakepa
4. Ben Hand [c]
5. Van Humphries
6. Gareth Palamo
7. Wil Brame
8. Tom Egan

9. Josh Holmes
10. Kurtley Beale
11. Fa'atonu Fili
12. Chris Siale
13. Lachlan Mitchell
14. Ben Martin
15. Lachie Turner [vc]

16. Ben Roberts
17. Aaron Broughton-Rouse
18. Mark Howell
19. Ben Coridas
20. Dave Rimmer
21. Rory Sidey
22. Filipo Toala

TEAMS UPDATED TO MATCH DAY LINE UPS

[Burgs]

Rams edge out Rays in thriller

August 18, 2007 - 4:26pm
Story by: Sportal

An eye-catching performance from Kurtley Beale has guided the Western Sydney Rams to a narrow 36-30 win over the Central Coast Rays in a cracking Mazda ARC match at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium.

Beale scored two tries and had a hand in another two as the Rams notched up their first win of the tournament in a scintillating match the saw the lead change hands a number of times.

The Rays opened the scoring in the fifth minute when fullback Peter Hewat slotted a penalty from 30 metres out directly in front but the visitors were in front just two minutes later.

Rams centre Chris Siale, who looked dangerous with his first few touches of the ball, danced through the smallest of gaps to take play inside the 22. From the ensuing rucks, Beale chipped into the in-goal and got a fortuitous bounce to claim the opening try. Winger Ben Martin added the extras to put the Rams in front 7-3.

The Rams were in again just a few minutes later when a deft pass from Beale put Martin into a gap just 15 out from the Rays line. He looked to have taken the wrong option by stepping back inside but a poor attempt at tackle by Hewat allowed Martin a saloon passage to the line. Martin swung his conversion attempt wide to leave the score at 12-3.

The Rays hit back in the 18th minute after they were gifted an attacking lineout inside the 22 from an infringement in the ruck from the Rams. Lanky lock Chris Thompson pulled down the throw-in and drove play to the line to draw in the Rams defence before the Rays sent the ball wide for winger Andrew Smith to crash over. Hewat slotted the conversion to make it 12-10 to the Rams.

The Rays regained the lead in the 26th minute when Martin was pinged for accidentally offside in his own 22. Hewat made no mistake with his kick to make it 13-12 to the home side.

Martin put the Rams back in front with a penalty from 25m out before centre Lachlan Mitchell scored a five-pointer just three minutes before the half-time break. Winger Fa'atonu Fili, who looked threatening with some chip and chases on the wing, put a deep kick into the opposition territory. Rays centre Sam Harris coughed up the ball in the tackle and Mitchell showed good toe to race 30 metres for the try. Martin added the extras to give the Rams a 22-13 lead at half-time.

The Rams made the perfect start to the second half when Beale cut through out wide to take play inside the 22 before dishing off to Siale, who side-stepped through the cover defence to score in the corner. Martin threaded his conversion from the sideline to extend the lead to 29-13.

The Rays needed to score next and did so through flanker Beau Robinson in the 48th minute after some sustained attacked inside the Rams 22. A determined run from Rays big No.8 drew three defenders and he was able to offload to an unmarked Robinson to cross over out wide. Hewat pushed his conversion attempt wide to leave the score 29-18 to the Rams.

The Rays cut the deficit to four points after a speedy backline play saw Smith cross for his second try of the afternoon. Hewat slotted his conversion from out wide to make it 29-25.

Brett Sheehan had the Gosford crowd of 3201 cheering when he caught the Rams napping after taking a quick tap-penalty from five metres out and diving over for a soft try. Hewat's conversion hit the left upright and away to leave the Rays holding a one-point lead 30-29 with 20 minutes to play.

But Beale capitalised on another incisive run from Siale to score the match winner. Siale was pulled down 10 from the line but Beale showed great vision and pace to dive over in the corner. Martin was again on target from the sideline to make 36-30 to the Rams.

Martin sealed the game with a penalty with three minutes on the clock.

Western Sydney Rams 39
Tries: Beale 2, Martin, Mitchell, Siale
Conversions: Martin 4
Penalties: Martin 2

Central Coast Rays 30
Tries: Smith 2, Robinson, Sheehan
Conversions: Hewat 2
Penalties: Hewat 2.

Crowd 3201 @ Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium.

[Burgs]

For me this was a landmark match for Kurtley Beale.
He was absolutely outstanding, not only in his two individual tries (his second a contender for International Try of the Year!!!) but in his structured play and putting others into gaps.
His passing was long and bang on the target every time.
As we have come to expect with Kurtley there was also some touches of "scratch your head, what just happened there" that he was acclaimed for at Schoolboys.
He has certainly beefed up since S14 and, if he can keep his agility with even a few more kgs, he is certainly now my tip for our next long term Wallaby Flyhalf.
Others that played well for the Rams included a rampant Chris Siale, a speeding Lachlan Mitchell and some magnificent kicks on goal by Ben Martin.
Tatafu Polota-Nau had a commendable day with his throwing too in swirling conditions.
For the Rays I liked Cliffy Palu's replacement Jason Peseta, Winger Andrew Smith and Ben Jacobs had some plays as well.
Hewat was as over rated as always including a pathetic tackle to let in the Rams second try.
Best thing to happen in Tah land this off season is to see the back of him I'm afraid.
Over all I thought this to be one of the best matches I have watched this year and with nine tries it was a great advertisement for the code and the new rules.
It was extremely fast and exhausting, as demonstrated in the Beale interview where he was still gasping for air having been on the bench for the last five to six minutes!

[JediKnight]

A little harsh on Peter Hewat there Burgs. The bits I saw had him constantly getting involved, coming into the line at pace and distributing the ball well.

[chook]

Hewat used his 'wave your arms at the attacker' defensive style in this game, which generally doesn't work. Its funny because I have seen him defend quite well. I think Brett Papworth had it right when he mentioned in commentary that Hewat was pretty much already on the plane to Europe.

Siale was very active, i'm sure the Reds will be happy with that particular purchase. Holmes and Beale combo was kinda neat as well, I like how the Rams tried to run the ball back regardless of where they were on the field.

[JediKnight]

I like how the Rams tried to run the ball back regardless of where they were on the field.

Isn't that what they're supposed to do?!

Very eloquent from you, Mr Chook!