Preview: Shute Shield - Round Eight
Fri, 16 May 2008 16:30
The Shute Shield presents some enticing encounters across Sydney with three of the five matches seeing sides adjacent to each other on the table facing off in Round Eight.
The Match of the Day sees the clash of fourth and fifth with Randwick playing host to Warringah, eighth plays ninth when Norths travel to Parramatta while the battle to stay off the bottom of the ladder pits Penrith against Southern Districts.
Only five round eight matches will be contested this week with Sydney University in Brisbane to contest the Australian Club Championship with Sunnybank.
Randwick v Warringah
Coogee Oval, 15:10 (05.10 GMT)
Both sides will be looking to return to form this week after a slipping back on the Shute Shield table.
Randwick last week only managed a draw with Parramatta after a big loss to Eastwood the previous week, while last week the Woodies dispensed with the Rats a week after Warringah were lucky to get home against Penrith.
With just six points separating third from eighth, this fourth versus fifth battle will leave one side entrenched in the top six and the other struggling to hang on.
Teams:
Randwick: 15 Bernie Orbell, 14 David Batiratu, 13 Metui Meile, 12 Dane Inman, 11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10 Toby Browne, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Rodney Voullaire, 6 Chris Houston, 5 Mat Whittleston, 4 Steve Brennan, 3 Lotu Taukeiaho, 2 Atonio Halangahu, 1 Daniel Spencer.
Warringah: 15 Willie Bishop, 14 Ed Doyle, 13 Will Sare, 12 Michael Letts, 11 Andrew Wiles, 10 Michael Ruthven, 9 Sam Hutcherson, 8 James Catt, 7 Mitchell Greenway, 6 Saia Latu, 5 Luke Hanvey, 4 Scott Flint, 3 Pingi Talaapitaga, 2 David Mason, 1 Dan Raymond (captain).
Referee: Julian Pritchard
Eastern suburbs v West Harbour
Woollahra Oval, 15.00 (05.00
GMT)
Two months ago Eastern Suburbs would have entered this match as favourites, however with West Harbour now a clear second on the table the outlook is now distinctly different.
The Pirates did it the hard way last week, coming from behind to record what was in the end a convincing 24-point victory over Norths, and they now average over 35 points per game.
Easts on the other hand have dropped three of their past four matches and will need a win at home to ensure they remain in the top half of the competition.
Teams:
Eastern Suburbs: 15 Gavin Debartolo, 14 Pat Smith, 13 Lloyd Jones, 12 Alfred Paea, 11 John Collignon, 10 Tom Azar, 9 Vitori Buatava, 8 Tom Egan (captain), 7 Chris Hitch, 6 Ed Brenac, 5 Adam Byrnes, 4 Rob McMicken, 3 Aaron Tawera, 2 Sam Zlatevski, 1 Mike Ross.
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 James King, 5 Ben Lonsdale, 4 Damian Lloyd, 3 Luke Hunter, 2 Ben Roberts, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
Gordon v Manly
Chatswood Oval, 15.00 (05.00 GMT)
This match would have seemed a one-sided affair a couple of weeks ago, however with Manly's return to form in May this clash is set to be one of the matches of the round.
After conceding 50 points in the opening round, Gordon have since lost only once and that was to the undefeated defending champions Sydney University.
On the other hand Manly have improved their position on the table with back-to-back victories over Norths and Easts, and are building the confidence to edge closer to finals contention.
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 Viliame Ratu, 7 Craig Thomas, 6 Ed Gower (captain), 5 Kingsley Seale, 4 Nifo Nifo, 3 Martin Plokstys, 2 Alex Gluth, 1 Ofa Fainga'anuku.
Manly: 15 Matt Hopper, 14 Lupini Siale, 13 Luke Johnson, 12 Jarrod Murphy, 11 Matt Bell, 10 Josh Gamgee, 9 Chris Cottee (captain), 8 Daniel Collins, 7 Will Brame, 6 Dylan Sigg, 5 Pat Maile, 4 Sean Maloney, 3 James Lakepa, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Eddie Aholelei.
Referee: Andrew Lees
Penrith v Southern Districts
Nepean Rugby Park, 15.00 (05.00 GMT)
While both of these sides are well down the competition ladder, there is much at stake for both sides with the loser set to be propping up the table after eight rounds of competition.
Penrith have shown the attacking ability this year to challenge many of the top sides but have consistently been let down by their defence.
Souths on the other hand have struggled to get their attack in order, scoring just 12 tries in seven matches.
Despite their positions on the table, expect this match to be an exciting encounter with both sides keen to avoid twelfth place.
Teams:
Penrith: 15 Nick Richardson, 14 Solomona Fainifo, 13 Patrick Mekuri, 12 Sia'a Taveuveu (captain), 11 Campbell Sione, 10 Jono Rolfe, 9 Jeremy Su'a, 8 Luke Williams, 7 Rob Carlson, 6 Shemaiah Evans, 5 Liam Winton, 4 Shannon Rushworth, 3 Nick Barber, 2 Elvis Levi, 1 Lamarn Ma'a.
Southern Districts: 15 Michael Black (captain), 14 Jackson Mullane, 13 David Prince, 12 Grant Trouville, 11 Craig Richards, 10 Jordan McGregor, 9 Rob Chrystie, 8 Greg Thomas, 7 Terry Autagavia, 6 Israel Stephens, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Matt Trouville, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 James McCormack, 1 Steven Harkin.
Referee: Ian Smith
Parramatta v Northern Suburbs
Two Blues Park, 15.00 (05.00 GMT)
One month ago this match would have seen a side without points taking on a team well entrenched on the top six.
Roll forward to round eight and Norths are desperate for victory having dropped to eighth on the back of four losses in the last five rounds.
Parramatta on the other hand have been one of the form sides of the long month having complemented back-to-back victories over Souths and Manly with an unlucky three-point loss to West Harbour and a draw last round at Randwick.
Teams:
Parramatta: 15 Ben Borg, 14 Tito Mua, 13 Paula Kaveinga, 12 David Alo, 11 Mohd Roache, 10 Josh Weeks, 9 Luke Tabatoa, 8 Junior To'o, 7 Winney Paulo, 6 Andrew Cox, 5 Sitiveni Mafi, 4 Andrew Brown (captain), 3 Matt Toli, 2 Scott Podmore, 1 Kris Zvirbulis.
Northern Suburbs: 15 Scott Barnes, 14 Anthony Shortis, 13 James Lew, 12 Codie Medway, 11 Corey Brown, 10 Chris Burnett, 9 Steve Evans, 8 Will Hunt, 7 Sam Latunipulu, 6 David Maunsell, 5 James Fitzgerald, 4 Anthony Reed, 3 Nick Lah, 2 Al Manning, 1 Joey Lynch.
Referee: James Scholtens
Sydney University v Eastwood
Due to Sydney University playing Sunnybank in the Australian Club Championship, this match will take place on Saturday 7 June.
With thanks to nswrugby.com.au
