Spirit get fresh crack at Brisbane
Perth Spirit, the Western Force development side, will open their National Rugby Championship against Brisbane City in August at Ballymore in a repeat of last year's final.
Spirit, who went down 37-26 to Brisbane in the final, will play four NRC games against North Harbour Rays, UC Vikings, Melbourne Rising and NSW Country Eagles at the UWA Sports Park.
The Spirit squad has not been finalised but will be made up of players from Western Force and the local premier grade competition.
The coaching team has not been announced.
Western Force assistants David Wessels and Kevin Foote shared the duties last year but Force forwards coach, Future Force academy mentor and former Force hooker Tai McIsaac is expected to play a leading role. Junior elite coach Dwayne Nestor is also expected to be involved.
RugbyWA CEO Mark Sinderberry said that the UWA ground was a perfect venue for Spirit games.
“I think it was evident from the one NRC game last year and the two Western Force trial games earlier this year that it is a fantastic venue for rugby,” Sinderberry said.
“We want to continue to ‘fill the hill’ and create that great community atmosphere at all our games this year. It’s a central location, very family friendly and we really want to generate that terrific club and community feel.”
Sinderberry said the NRC was vital to the future of Australian rugby.
“Having a third-tier competition not only provides additional playing opportunities for our Super Rugby players, but is a chance for our aspiring local players to stand out and try pave a way to a professional rugby career," he said.
“We saw the benefits this year with players Kane Koteka and Ross Haylett-Petty make their Super Rugby debuts and Ammon Matuauto elevated into the Western Force wider training squad."
Perth Spirit fixtures
Thursday August 20: Brisbane City v Perth Spirit, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday August 29: Perth Spirit v North Harbour Rays UWA Sports UWA Sports Park
Saturday September 5: Sydney Stars v Perth Spirit, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Saturday September 12: Perth Spirit v UC Vikings, UWA Sports Park
Saturday September 19: Queensland Country v Perth Spirit, Rugby Park, Rockhampton
Saturday September 26: Perth Spirit v Melbourne Rising, UWA Sports Park
Sunday Octobetr 4: Perth Spirit v NSW Country Eagles, UWA Sports Park
Saturday Octber 10: Greater Sydney Rams v Perth Spirit, Concord Oval, Sydney
