The Greater Sydney Rams are the surprise leaders of the 2017 NRC after registering their second win in a row, a 41-26 dispatching of the Sydney Rays at Macquarie University on Sunday.

The fourth edition of the National Rugby Championship (NRC) kicks off this weekend, with nine teams now vying for the title after the welcome addition of the Fijian Drua side. Reigning champions Perth Spirit will be keen to defend their title, and the honour of Western Australian rugby, following the controversial but seemingly inevitable demise of the Western Force, while

They took their time, but the NSW Waratahs produced enough attacking prowess to see off the Melbourne Rebels 50-23 in the end at Allianz Stadium yesterday afternoon, having led by just six points on the hour.