Preview: Shute Shield, Round 21
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:42
The penultimate round of the 2008 Shute Shield will be a crucial one for many teams with play-off spots still up for grabs, and teams in the top six striving to finish as high as possible on the table.
The Match of the Day sees what some believe will be the Grand Finalists going around with the Students (University) playing host to Randwick, while the other crucial game sees West Harbour hopeful of securing a finals position with a win over Penrith
All the Round 21 action:
Saturday, August 23:
Sydney University (1st) v Randwick (3rd)
University Oval No.1, 15.10 (05.10 GMT)
Sydney University may have dropped just two matches this year, however one of them was to Randwick in Round 10 and they will be keen to square the ledger in the Match of the Day.
The defending champions come into the match high on confidence after wrapping up the minor premiership with two weeks remaining.
Randwick have lost Morgan Turinui and Adam Freier for this clash, however still feature a lot of experience throughout the side, setting the scene for one of the matches of the season.
Teams:
Sydney University: 15 Nathan Trist, 14 Nick Edwards, 13 Leo Afeaki, 12 Dan P Kelly, 11 Ed Jenkins, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Nick Haydon, 8 Tim Davidson (captain), 7 Tim Aistrope, 6 David Fungalei, 5 Lachlan McCutcheon, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Randwick: 15 Bernie Orbell, 14 Francis Fainifo, 13 Metui Maile, 12 Michael Berne, 11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10 Tim Walsh, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Rodney Voullaire, 6 Chris Houston (captain), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Mat Whittleston, 3 Lotu Taukeiaho, 2 Atonio Halangahu, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Referee: Ian Smith
Eastern Suburbs (4th) v Northern Suburbs (10th)
Woollahra
Oval, 15.00 (05.00)
Eastern Suburbs could still finish as high as second place on the ladder and will be working towards that goal when they host Northern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval.
The Shoremen have been causing a few sides some worries in the run into the finals, however the Beasts are one of the form sides of the competition and will take a strong game plan into this encounter.
Easts are on an eight-game winning streak, averaging more than 45 points per game in that period and go into the match hot favourites to extend their run to nine games.
Teams:
Eastern Suburbs: 15 Gavin Debartolo, 14 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 13 Lloyd Jones, 12 Tom Azar, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Luke Irwin, 8 Richard Stanford, 7 Tim McGann, 6 Ed Brenac, 5 Matt McGann, 4 Tom Egan (captain), 3 Rob McMicken, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Aaron Tawera.
Northern Suburbs: 15 Seamus Ross, 14 Anthony Shortis, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Codie Medway, 11 Dan Watson-Wood, 10 Chris Burnett, 9 Tom Burnett, 8 Julian Salvi, 7 Will Hunt (captain), 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Tyler Hotson, 4 Anthony Reed, 3 Tim Archibald, 2 Al Manning, 1 Joey Lynch.
Referee: Andrew Lees
Gordon (2nd) v Parramatta (9th)
Chatswood Oval, 15.00 (05.00)
After last week's loss to West Harbour, Gordon can no longer claim top spot on the Shute Shield ladder, but need to keep winning in order to ensure second place and a week off at the start of the finals.
However in facing Parramatta at Chatswood Oval the Highlanders have a formidable opponent on their hands who have handed defeats to third-placed Randwick and fourth-placed Eastern Suburbs already this year.
Gordon coach Lachlan Fear will be doing everything to make sure his charges are up for this match, having lost three of their last five games, while Parramatta could still finish in the top eight with a strong finish to the season.
Teams:
Gordon: 15 Mark Preston, 14 Sisa Waqa, 13 Sinclair Fischer-Grey, 12 Billy Rainima, 11 Terry Preston, 10 Dave Harvey, 9 Vinnie Byrne, 8 Billy Ratu, 7 Craig Thomas, 6 Paulie Tuala, 5 Kingsley Seale, 4 Nifo Nifo, 3 Steve Taylor, 2 Nath Nicol, 1 Ofa Fainga'anuku.
Parramatta: 15 Ben Borg, 14 Tito Mua, 13 Brian Sefanaia, 12 Dave Alo, 11 Roland Herea, 10 Tom Woods, 9 Luke Tabatoa, 8 Junior To'o, 7 Winney Paulo, 6 Andrew Cox, 5 Steve Mafi, 4 Andrew Brown (captain), 3 Matt Toli, 2 Scott Podmore, 1 Kris Zvirbulis.
Referee: James Leckie
Penrith (11th) v West Harbour (6th)
Nepean Rugby Park, 15.00 (05.00)
Penrith returns to Nepean Rugby Park this weekend, but will have their work cut out against a West Harbour side returning to form.
The Pirates went into last week's clash with Gordon in danger of slipping out of the top six, however after upsetting the Highlanders they are now just one win away from securing a finals position.
West Harbour scored 50 against the Emus when they met in Round 10, and they will be looking for just as dominant a performance to send them into the finals at their attacking best.
Teams:
Penrith: 15 Solomona Fainifo, 14 Henry Lilomaiava, 13 Patrick Mekuri, 12 Sia'a Taveuveu, 11.Nick Richardson, 10 Jono Rolfe (captain), 9 Jeremy Su'a, 8 Luke Williams, 7 Rodney Ma'a, 6 Lai Vatadroka, 5 Liam Winton, 4 Shemaiah Evans, 3 Nick Barber, 2 Elvis Levi, 1 Dave Coventry.
West Harbour: 15 Ben Martin (captain), 14 John Sinisa, 13 Lester Salanoa, 12 David Tautaoilefue, 11 Nick Reily, 10 Dave Paurini, 9 Steve Massey, 8 Isaiah Pine, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 James King, 5 Ben Lonsdale, 4 Damian Lloyd, 3 Luke Hunter, 2 Ben Roberts, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
Eastwood (7th) v Manly (8th)
TG Millner Field, 15.00 (05.00)
If Penrith do them a huge favour, Eastwood could face a last round showdown with West Harbour to make the top six, however they will first need to overcome Manly at the TG Millner Field.
Similarly, Manly remain a mathematical chance of qualifying for the finals, but will need a bonus point win in this game and for the Emus to take out the Pirates.
Firstly however, both teams will need to concentrate on a strong performance in this match, which augers for an entertaining clash.
Teams:
Eastwood: 15 John Grant, 14 Ben Batger, 13 Rowan Kellam, 12 Hugh Perrett (captain), 11 Nick Batger, 10 Simon Daff, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Josh Dunning, 7 Ben Coridas, 6 Gareth Palamo, 5 Phil Mathers, 4 Marty Wilson, 3 Aaron Broughton-Rouse, 2 Chris Hill, 1 Simon Norris.
Manly: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Lupini Siale, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Luke Johnson, 11 Leon Bott, 10 Stephen Locke, 9 Paul Sheedy, 8 Mark Fisher, 7 Will Brame, 6 Daniel Collins, 5 Dylan Sigg, 4 Sean Maloney, 3 James Lakepa, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Reuben Bijl (captain).
Referee: Nathan Pearce
Warringah (5th) v Southern Districts (12th)
Pittwater Rugby Park, 15.00 (05.00)
Warringah has now secured a play-off berth and will look to keep their momentum strong when they face Southern Districts at Pittwater Rugby Park.
The Rats had been in good form before their last round loss to Sydney University but will find this assignment much easier.
Warringah will however be without in-form half Brett Sheehan who is on the bench for the Wallabies in South Africa, giving Scott Bradley his chance in the No.9 jersey.
Teams:
Warringah: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Shaun Killian, 13 Pat McCabe, 12 Brock McGarity, 11 Ed
Doyle, 10 Michael Ruthven, 9 Scott Bradley, 8 Ross Duncan, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Andrew Rasmus, 5 Scott Flint, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Dave Mason,
1 Dan Raymond (captain).
Southern Districts: 15 Michael Black, 14 Michael Ashby, 13 Matt Trouville, 12 Michael McLeod, 11 Luke Milton, 10 Matt Adair, 9 Tim Small, 8 James McCormack (captain), 7 Terry Autagavia, 6 Israel Stephens, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Grant Trouville, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Dan Palmer, 1 Nic Henderson.
Referee: James Scholtens
