What: NRC semi-finals
Who: NSW Country Eagles v Brisbane City, Friday, October 24 @ Central Coast Stadium. Kick-off 7.35pm (AEDT), Melbourne Rising v Perth Spirit, Saturday, October 25 @ AAMI Park. Kick-off 3.35pm (AEDT).
Where can I watch it? Fox Sports
Semi-final 1: NSW Country Eagles v Brisbane City
Last time – Brisbane City 34-26 Eagles @ Oaks Oval, Lismore, Sunday, September 14.
NSW Country Eagles: (2nd, 27 points, +49)
Ben Matwijow of the Eagles. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
The Eagles won their last three regular-season games to claim second spot and a home semi. They are a joint venture between NSW Country and Sydney clubs Randwick and Eastern Suburbs. The Eagles are led by skipper and Waratahs half-back Brendan McKibbin and former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles.
Brisbane City: (3rd, 26 points, +38)
Jake Schatz of Brisbane City. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images
Nick Stiles' side boasts seven Wallabies in their wider squad. They are coming off consecutive victories over the North Harbour Rays (77-26) and UC Vikings (37-16). Will Genia, James Hanson and Jake Schatz, who was man-of-the-match against the Vikings on Saturday, are all likely to be selected in the Wallabies' spring tour squad and will miss the NRC playoffs.
Semi-final 2: Melbourne Rising v Perth Spirit
Last time – Rising 44-24 Spirit @ AAMI Park, Melbourne, Thursday, September 11.
Melbourne Rising: (1st, 40 points, +215)
Caderyn Neville of Melbourne Rising. Photo by Luke Hemer/Perform
The Rising were undefeated in the regular season, winning every game by 18 points or more and are the red-hot favourites to win the inaugural NRC title. They are essentially a Super Rugby team, with only back-rower Scott Higginbotham away on Wallabies duties.
Perth Spirit: (4th, 17 points, +42)
Melbourne Rising dominated the previous match at AAMI Park. Photo by Luke Hemer/Perform
The Spirit won two of their last three games to claim the final spot in the top four. They went down to the Eagles 40-34 in the final round but did enough to qualify for the playoffs. Their reward is a showdown with the ladder-leaders on their home patch but they were at least competitive against the men from Melbourne during the regular season so will fancy their chances of an upset.