Preview: Shute Shield, Round 22
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:03
The final round of the Shute Shield, Round 22, sees the second local derby round of the year take place across Sydney, making for some passionate encounters to finish the regular season.
While the top six has already been decided, the final positions heading into the first week of the finals have yet to be determined with much riding on this weekend's matches.
We look at all the Week 22 action.
Saturday, August 30:
Randwick (4th) v Eastern Suburbs (3rd)
Coogee Oval, 15.10 (05.10 GMT)
With Easts leading Randwick by just two points on the competition ladder, the Match of the Day will determine who finishes higher going into week one of the finals.
Randwick won the first meeting between these two sides 35-32 in Round 11, and this match is expected to be just as tight.
The Wicks are coming off a 15-point loss to Sydney University, while Easts are looking to make it ten wins in a row to build their momentum even further coming into the finals.
Teams:
Randwick: 15 Matt Nethery, 14 Francis Fainifo, 13 Bernie Orbell, 12 Dane Inman, 11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10 Tim Walsh, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Rodney Voullaire, 5 Mark Chisholm, 6 Mat Whittleston, 4 Steve Brennan, 3 Lotu Taukeiaho, 2 Atonio Halangahu, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Eastern Suburbs: 15 Gavin Debartolo, 14 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 13 Lloyd Jones, 12 Tom Azar, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 James McSeveny, 9 Luke Irwin, 8 Will Brock, 7 Tim McGann, 6 Ed Brenac, 5 Richard Stanford, 4 Tom Egan (captain), 3 Aaron Tawera, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Rob McMicken.
Referee: Nathan Pearce
Northern Suburbs (10th) v Gordon (2nd)
North Sydney Oval, 15.00 (05.00 GMT)
While this match has no bearing on the final outcome of the competition, pride will certainly be on the line in this hard-fought local derby.
The Shoremen have had a disappointing season but could still finish the season as high as ninth with a win this weekend.
Gordon have secured second place on the ladder already, and while they are already assured of a week off to start the finals, the Highlanders will be looking to keep to their winning ways entering the business end of the season.
Teams:
Northern Suburbs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Corey Brown, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Codie Medway, 11 Dan Watson-Wood, 10 Chris Burnett, 9 James Price, 8 Julian Salvi, 7 Will Hunt (captain), 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Chris Thomson, 4 Tyler Hotson, 3 Nick Lah, 2 Ryan Dalziel, 1 Joey Lynch.
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 Dan Butler.
Referee: Ian Smith
West Harbour (6th) v Eastwood (7th)
Concord Oval 15.00 (05.00)
Last West Harbour ended Eastwood's finals campaign and will be looking to maintain winning form this week at Concord Oval.
With an outside chance of slipping into fifth position the Pirates will need to overcome a 42-29 loss to the Woods in Round 11, but come into this clash having scored over 90 points in the last two weeks.
Eastwood have little to play for other than pride in the final round of the competition, but with a strong line-up from 1 to 15 will no doubt be looking to finish 2008 on a high.
Teams:
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 James King, 7 Mark Porpiglia, 6 Dan Thomas, 5 Ben Lonsdale, 4 Mitch Hardy, 3 Michael Rigney, 2 Ben Roberts, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Eastwood: 15 John Grant, 4 Ben Batger, 13 Hugh Perrett (captain), 12 Tim Corcoran, 11 Nick Batger, 10 Rowan Kellam, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Josh Dunning, 7 Ben Coridas, 6 Gareth Palamo, 5 Phil Mathers, 4 Marty Wilson, 3 Aaron Broughton-Rouse, 2 Todd Pearce, 1 Simon Norris.
Referee: George Ayoub
Manly (8th) v Warringah (5th)
Manly Oval, 15.00 (05.00)
Warringah produced a late burst to overcome Manly when these two sides met in Round 11, and if this match is half as good as that encounter then the fans at Manly Oval are set for a fantastic clash.
Warringah could finish anywhere from fourth to sixth dependent on results in the final round of the competition, while Manly's eighth place will not change regardless of the outcome of this weekend's results.
With Dan Raymond unavailable this week Clint Eadie will lead the Rats, while Josh Gamgee - one of Manly's best when these sides last met - is back for the Marlins.
Teams:
Manly: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Lupini Siale, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Luke Johnson, 11 Leon Bott, 10 Josh Gamgee, 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).
Warringah: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Shaun Killian, 13 Pat McCabe, 12 Clint Eadie (captain), 11 Ed Doyle, 10 Brock McGarity, 9 Scott Bradley, 8 Ross Duncan, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Andrew Rasmus, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Pingi Talaapitaga, 2 Dave Mason, 1 Morgan Basham.
Referee: James Leckie
Southern Districts (12th) v Sydney University (1st)
Forshaw Rugby Park 15.00 (05.00)
On the ladder and on paper there is a difference in class between these two teams but the Rebels will be looking to put in a strong performance to end the season as they take on the competition front-runners.
The Southern Districts pack matches up well with the Students, and if they can contain the University backline could stay in the game for extended periods.
Daniel Halangahu had one of his best matches for 2008 last week against Randwick, and if he can maintain that form heading into a week off, University will once again be looking the goods to raise the Shute Shield.
Teams:
Southern Districts: 15 Tim Small, 14 Nathan Dwyer, 13 Michael Black, 12 Michael McLeod, 11 Ben Rigon, 10 Matt Adair, 9 Rob Chrystie, 8 Matt Trouville, 7 Terry Autagavia, 6 Israel Stephens, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Liam Dwyer, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 James McCormack (captain), 1 Nic Henderson.
Sydney University: 15 Nathan Trist, 14 Nick Edwards, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Leo Afeaki, 11 Ed Jenkins, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Nick Haydon, 8 Tim Davidson (captain), 7 Jono Jenkins, 6 Hugh Hawkins, 5 Lachlan McCutcheon, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
Sunday, August 31:
Parramatta (9th) v Penrith (11th)
Two Blues Park, 15.00 (05.00)
Sunday Rugby returns to Two Blues Park for the final match of the regular season with Parramatta hosting Penrith.
The Two Blues have had a strong season, and while they will not feature in the playoffs will be hopeful of a strong performance in the final round.
Penrith scored 41 points against West Harbour last week, however defence will again be their true test, but the Emus do have the confidence of a 26-24 victory over Parramatta in Round 11 to take into this clash.
Teams:
Parramatta: 15 Ben Borg, 14 Brian Sefanaia, 13 Paula Kaveinga, 12 Dave Alo, 11 Tito Mua, 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.
Penrith: 15 Solomona Fainifo, 14 Henry Lilomaiava, 13 Patrick Mekuri, 12 Michael Paulo, 11 Nick Richardson, 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 Elvis Levi, 1 Dave Coventry.
Referee: Grant MacNeill
