The Rising's Nic Stirzaker runs with the ball © Getty Images

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Melbourne Rising 55-34 North Harbour Rays

Melbourne Rising defeated North Harbour Rays in an entertaining match at AAMI Park to conclude the opening round of the inaugural National Rugby Championship, scoring two tries within five minutes in the final quarter to secure the victory.

The Rising ran in eight tries, including doubles from Jack Debreczeni, Sefanaia Naivalu and Telusa Veain, while the Rays crossed for five in a pulsating encounter.

Melbourne opened the scoring after only six minutes, and their mix of Super Rugby and Dewar Shield players held the upper hand for much of the first 20 minutes, but the Rays fought back to lead at the break. The Rising, with the majority of their squad contracted Super Rugby players, gained the upper hand in the second half, and the pressure and input they got from their bench was telling.

Ben Mantjow spilled blood for the Eagles' cause © Getty Images

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New South Wales Country Eagles 31-2 Greater Sydney Rams

New South Wales Country Eagles scored four tries and 29 points without reply in the second half as they thrashed Greater Sydney Rams in the first National Rugby Championship fixture played in Sydney.

The teams were locked 2-2 at half-time at Coogee Oval, a penalty apiece in the driving rain, but the Eagles took control when captain Matt Carraro touched down five minutes into the second stanza. He swooped onto a bouncing ball to score, and he was followed over the stripe by Sam Windsor, Will Miller and Apakuki Mafu.

The Rams, featuring 10 of Eastwood's Sydney Shute Shield grand final-winning team cruelled their chances with handling errors.

Perth Spirit players celebrate a famous victory in Canberra © Getty Images

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Canberra Vikings 23-28 Perth Spirit

Perth Spirit stunned Canberra at Viking Park, with Ammon Matuauto scoring a try three minutes from full-time before Luke Burton kicked a penalty to secure victory against a team featuring 10 Brumbies. The Spirit, featuring 16 players from West Australian grade clubs, led 13-0 at half-time but the Vikings hit back to lead 23-13 late in the match. The Spirit rallied late with two late tries and Burton's penalty to notch their first National Rugby Championship win.

Beautiful day at Viking Park with @PerthSpirit leading 13-0. #VIKvPER pic.twitter.com/crTvNLlVm8

— Buildcorp NRC (@BuildcorpNRC) August 23, 2014

Brisbane City and Sydney Stars turned on an attacking spectacular © Getty Images

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Brisbane City 45-20 Sydney Stars

Brisbane City kicked off Australia's inaugural National Rugby Championship with an emphatic performance at Ballymore, the match delivering the attacking entertainment sought by Australian Rugby Union officials with 10 tries and no penalty kicks.

City dominated the second half as promising centre Samu Kerevi crossed for two tries and 21-year-old Queensland Reds halfback Nick Frisby controlled the game.

The trial point system, with penalty and field goals reduced to two points in comparison to a three-point conversion, was implemented to encourage attacking play and minimise stoppages. It proved to do just that, with six tries scored in the opening half and penalty goals all but forgotten in place of booming kicks for touch.

The Stars led at half-time, but they were cruelled by dropped ball and four failed conversions by Stuart Dunbar.

"Our ball exchange was lost a bit in the wet, but we showed we can play when we get the ball in hand," Stars captain Patrick McCutcheon said. "I think our kicker owes me a few frothies there."