Preview: Shute Shield, Round 17
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:53
The minor premiers of the 2008 Shute Shield could well be decided this Saturday when front-runners Sydney University take on Gordon in the Match of the Day.
While there are some other interesting matches scheduled across Sydney in Round 17, all eyes will be on University Oval where the top two teams are going head to head.
Sydney University (1st) v Gordon (2nd)
University Oval No.1, 15.10 (05.10 GMT)
Top position on the Tooheys New Shute Shield ladder will be on the line when Sydney University play host to Gordon in the match of the round.
Amazingly, both sides suffered upset defeats last weekend with the Students unable to produce one of their trademark second half comebacks against Eastern Suburbs, while Warringah held on for a two-point win over the Highlanders.
Both sides field relatively consistent line-ups, however Sydney Uni are without lock Dan Vickerman who has been called back to Wallaby duty.
With just five rounds remaining after this one and both teams going into their remaining matches as favourites, this clash could well decide the minor premiers for 2008.
Sydney University: 15 Nathan Trist, 14 Lachlan Rosengreen, 13 Leo Afeaki, 12 Dan P Kelly, 11 Ed Jenkins, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Nick Haydon, 8 Tim Davidson (captain), 7 Jono Jenkins, 6 Pat McCutcheon, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Lachlan McCutcheon, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Gordon: 15 Mark Preston, 14 Sisa Waqa, 13 Sinclair Fischer-Grey, 12 Billy Rainima, 11 Terry reston, 10 Dave Harvey, 9 Vinnie Byrne, 8 Viliame Ratu, 7 Craig Thomas, 6 Ed Gower (captain), 5 Kingsley Seale, 4 Nifo Nifo, 3 Steve Taylor, 2 Alex Gluth, 1 Ofa Fainga'anuku.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
Southern Districts (12th) v Eastern Suburbs (5th)
Forshaw Park, 15:00 (0500 GMT)
With Clyde Rathbone, Gavin Debartolo and Anton LaVin on fire, Eastern Suburbs are currently one of the form sides of the competition and will cause plenty of problems when they travel to Forshaw Rugby Park to take on Southern Districts.
The Rebels pack some real punch up front with Nick Henderson, James McCormack and Dan Palmer in the front row and Guy Shepherdson on the bench, however their inability to score points has been their downfall in 2008.
Easts currently sit in fifth position but will confidently hold aspirations of finishing in the top four, and will be high on confidence after last weekend becoming just the second side to beat Sydney University.
Southern Districts: 15 Tim Small, 14 Jackson Mullane, 13 Luke Milton, 12 Matt Adair, 11 Craig Richards, 10 Michael Black, 9 Rob Chrystie, 8 Grant Trouville, 7 Terry Autagavia, 6 Israel Stephens, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Matt Trouville, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 James McCormack, 1 Nic Henderson.
Eastern Suburbs: 15 Gavin Debartolo, 14 John Collignon, 13 Anton LaVin, 12 Tom Azar, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Luke Irwin, 8 Will Brock, 7 Tim McGann, 6 Ed Brenac, 5 Matt McGann, 4 Tom Egan (captain), 3 Rob McMicken, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Aaron Tawera.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
Warringah (6th) v Penrith (11th)
Pittwater Rugby Park, 15:00 (05.00 GMT)
Warringah pulled off a major upset in defeating Gordon last weekend but will need to follow that with a strong performance against Penrith to keep their semifinal aspirations on track.
With Wallaby Mark Gerrard leading the way, Warringah last week proved they are title contenders however are in the middle of a logjam on the Shute Shield table with just three points separating fourth from seventh.
Penrith were disappointing against Eastwood last week, however if they can regain their form of a fortnight ago when they caused Randwick some real problems, they could challenge the Rats for extended periods in this clash.
Warringah: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Willie Bishop, 13 Pat McCabe, 12 Brock McGarity, 11 Ed Doyle, 10 Michael Ruthven, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Andrew Rasmus, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Mitchell Longrigg, 5 Scott Flint, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Dave Mason, 1 Dan Raymond (captain).
Penrith: 15 Nick Richardson, 14 Henry Lilomaiava, 13 Solomona Fainifo, 12 Patrick Mekuri, 11Campbell Sione, 10 Jono Rolfe (captain), 9 Jeremy Su'a, 8 Luke Williams, 7 Rob Carlson, 6 Rodney Ma'a, 5 Liam Winton, 4 Shemaiah Evans, 3 Nick Barber, 2 Adam Parbery, 1 Dave Coventry.
Referee: Julian Pritchard
Randwick (3rd) v Eastwood (7th)
Coogee Oval, 15:00 (05.00 GMT)
With Randwick's representative ranks continuing to swell, the Galloping Greens will go into this match high on confidence but wary of their opponents, Eastwood.
The Woods were unlucky not to leap into fifth position last week after Warringah and Easts both knocked off the top two sides in the competition.
However with the Rats and Beasts both expected to win this weekend, Eastwood have all the motivation they need to knock off one of the most talented sides in the competition.
This weekend Randwick field arguably their strongest side of the year with five Wallabies and four more Super Rugby contracted players.
Randwick: 15 Francis Fainifo, 14 David Batiratu, 13 Metui Maile, 12 Peter Jorgensen, 11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10 Bernie Orbell, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Ben Mowen, 6 Mat Whittleston, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Steve Brennan, 3 Lotu Taukeiaho, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Eastwood: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Jesse Leota, 13 Rowan Kellam, 12 Tim Corcoran, 11 Filipo Toala, 10 Barney Wood, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Gareth Palamo, 7 Ben Coridas, 6 Hugh Perrett (captain), 5 Phil Mathers, 4 Marty Wilson, 3 Aaron Broughton-Rouse, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Simon Norris.
Referee: James Leckie
Manly (8th) v Northern Suburbs (10th)
Manly Oval, 15:00 (05.00 GMT)
Manly's slim semifinal hopes remain alive however they will need to hit form against a resurgent Northern Suburbs side at Manly Oval.
The Marlins remain nine points outside the top six and will be ruing their draw with Parramatta last week, however a strong result will keep them in the hunt with five rounds remaining.
Norths on the other hand have were courageous in defeat against Sydney University a fortnight ago, and with Sam Norton-Knight leading the way last weekend in their victory over Souths, the Shoremen are hoping to finish the season on a positive note.
Boosting the Norths ranks this weekend is the inclusion of Brumbies loose forward Julian Salvi at No.8.
Manly: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Lupini Siale, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Luke Johnson, 10 Josh Gamgee, 9 Paddy Pearce, 8 Mark Fisher, 7 Will Brame, 6 Daniel Collins, 5 Dylan Sigg, 4 Pat Maile, 3 James Lakepa, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Reuben Bijl (captain).
Northern Suburbs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Dan Watson-Wood, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Codie Medway, 11 Corey Brown, 10 Chris Burnett, 9 Steve Evans, 8 Julian Salvi, 7 David Maunsell, 6 James Fitzgerald, 5 Anthony Reed, 4 Tyler Hotson,3 Tim Archibald, 2 Ryan Dalziel, 1 Ben Alexander.
Referee: Nathan Pearce
West Harbour (4th) v Parramatta (9th)
Concord Oval, 15:00 (05.00 GMT)
West Harbour will need to return to their form of a month ago if they are to reignite their semifinal campaign this weekend against Parramatta.
It is only a few weeks since West Harbour had a share of third on the table, however since then the Pirates have struggled to a four-point win over Souths and suffered two thrashings at the hands of Manly (71-17) and Randwick (63-24).
Parramatta would need a miracle to make the semifinals, however their draw with Manly last weekend showed the Two Blues will not lie down over the final six weeks of the regular season.
West Harbour: 15 Ben Martin (captain), 14 John Sinisa, 13 Rory Sidey, 12 Lester Salanoa, 11 Nick Reily, 10 Dave Paurini, 9 Steve Massey, 8 Isaiah Pine, 7 Mark Porpiglia, 6 Chris Aho, 5 Ben Lonsdale, 4 Damian Lloyd, 3 Michael Rigney, 2 Ben Roberts, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Parramatta: 15 Ben Borg, 14 Roland Herea, 13 Paula Kaveinga, 12 Brian Sefanaia, 11 Tito Mua, 10 Aaron Mattin, 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 Scholtens
NSWRU
