Scott Fuglistaller extends the lead. He crosses for the Rising's third try

Melbourne Rising have hit back through a try by Leo Taliu

Queensland over again. Great forwards try. Pick and drive sees Sef Fa’agase burrow over

Ben Meehan hits back for the Melbourne Rising as he scoots through a gap and scores under the posts

Conor Mitchell races away down the touchline to score the opening try

Queensland Country are on the board through a try by Conor Mitchell

Melbourne Rising's Tim Metcher has been taken off after injuring his knee. Fast pace to the game

The match is underway

The Horan-Little Shield will be on the line for the very first time when holders and last year’s minor premiers, the Melbourne Rising travel north to take on Queensland Country in the opening round of the NRC.
Queensland Country will be looking to improve upon last season’s performances in which they ultimately finished second last on the log.
The Rising went through last year’s regular season undefeated, topping the overall log but falling to the Perth Spirit in the semi-finals.
The last time these two teams faced one another, it ended Melbourne Rising 47-26 Queensland Country.
With the Rising without some of their stars from last year, it won’t all come easy to them in 2015, but there’s enough class still on the pitch to suggest they will be there or thereabouts come season’s end