The fifth season of the National Rugby Championship (NRC) gets underway in just eight days time, and the eight competing teams in 2018 are slowly releasing their squads. We’ve already taken a look at Brisbane City, Queensland Country and the Western Force, so let’s see how things are panning out down in the nations’ capital at the Canberra Vikings.

The fifth instalment of the National Rugby Championship (NRC) gets underway in just under a fortnight. First cabs off the rank to announce their squads were the two Queensland-based sides, Brisbane City and Queensland Country. Next up it’s the Western Force.

The fifth instalment of the National Rugby Championship (NRC) gets underway in a month’s time. First cabs off the rank to announce their squads were the two Queensland-based sides, and we’ve already taken a look at Brisbane City. So let’s see what’s happening at the reigning champions, Queensland Country.

The Super Rugby grand final takes place tomorrow night; the Intrust Super Shute Shield has two rounds of the regular season to go before heading into what should be a thrilling finale, while the Queensland Premier and John I Dent comp finals kick-off this weekend. Oh, and don’t forget the Wallabies contest the opening Bledisloe Cup in a fortnight.

Who topped the points and try-scoring charts in this year’s NRC?

He can still remember the day. Heading to Coffs Harbour Stadium with his Dad because the touring British & Irish Lions, a side containing most of the Northern Hemisphere’s finest talent at that time – think Jason Leonard, Ronan O’Gara, Neil Jenkins, Ben Cohen and more – had come to town. But for a 10-year-old Sam Needs, it was the guys in the other jerseys that captured his imagination.

He kept me waiting. Unintentionally of course, Brad Thorn is classier than that. But as his talented young Queensland Country side made their way across TG Millner Field to enjoy the post-match celebrations in the sheds last Saturday afternoon, their fledgling head coach was busying himself by carrying the tape bin they had just filled, all the way around to the back of the main stand to save the home groundsman a job.