New South Wales Rugby

Playoff picture set to take shape in Round 18

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Friday, 1 August 2008
NSWRU Media Unit

Manly's Elvis Taione attempts a fend.

Manly's Elvis Taione attempts a fend. [2008 TNSS - Round 6]

With teams on the fringes of the top six needing victory to stay in touch, and others already in finals contention battling to finish higher up the ladder, this round poses some fantastic match-ups.

The ABC TV Match of the Day sees a desperate Manly outfit in need of victory to stay in touch with the top six, but up against a formidable Easts side. The Marlins will also have eyes on the Eastwood-Warringah clash - arguably the round's most important - with these sides ranked seventh and sixth and looking to gain every competition point they can.

After mixed form in recent weeks, West Harbour will need to fire against Northern Suburbs to remain in the top four, however a loss could see them slip to as low as sixth. This match will be played as part of a 'Red and Black, Back-to-Back' double-header at North Sydney Oval, with the early 1:30pm kick-off to be followed by a NSW Cup rugby league encounter between the North Sydney Bears and Western Suburbs Magpies.

EASTERN SUBURBS (5th) V MANLY (8th) at Woollahra Oval (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
Just five weeks ago Easts were languishing in seventh having lost five matches in six rounds. Now the Beasts are on a five-match winning streak, a point out of fourth place and with high hopes of extending their run at home over Manly in the ABC TV Match of the Day.

However the Marlins are just as keen for victory as they make the latest of late charges to the semifinals.

Since round five when Manly sat in eleventh place, the Marlins have been one of the most impressive sides in the competition, with only Sydney Uni, Randwick and Gordon scoring more competition points.

However up against a team which knocked off the Students two weeks ago, the Marlins will need to lift if they are to threaten the top six, and will also be hoping Eastwood and Norths lend a hand.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Aaron Tawera, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. Rob McMicken; 4. Tom Egan [c], 5. Matt McGann; 6. Ed Brenac, 7. Tim McGann, 8. Richard Stanford; 9. Luke Irwin, 10. Matt Toomua; 11. Lloyd Jones, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton LaVin, 14.John Collignon; 15. Gavin Debartolo.
Manly: 1. Reuben Bijl [c], 2. James Lakepa, 3. Eddie Ahololei; 4.Pat Maile, 5. Dylan Sigg; 6. Daniel Collins, 7. Will Brame, 8. Mark Fisher; 9. Paddy Pearce, 10. Josh Gamgee; 11. Luke Johnson, 12. Anthony Barrett, 13. Tyrone Smith, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D'Arcy.
Referee: James Leckie

GORDON (3rd) V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (12th) at Chatswood Oval (3:00pm)
A fortnight ago Gordon were the form team of the competition, making a run for the minor premiership. Two weeks on and the Highlanders have experienced back-to-back losses but will be looking to run themselves into some form against Southern Districts.

One of Gordon's strong points in 2008 has been the consistency of their line-up, however two backline changes this week could prove interesting with Donny Nepia coming in for pointscoring machine Dave Harvey at No.10 while Matt MacDougall replaces Sinclair Fischer-Grey at outside centre.

The Rebels have not tasted victory since round two, and have averaged just eight points in their last three encounters. They have made an interesting reshuffle of their front row, with Waratah rookie Dan Palmer shifting to hooker to accommodate Brumbies props Nic Henderson and Guy Shepherdson, while try-sneak James McCormack moves from No.2 to No.8.
Gordon: 1. Ofa Fainga'anuku, 2. Alex Gluth, 3. Steve Taylor; 4. Nifo Nifo, 5. Kingsley Seale; 6. Ed Gower [c]; 7. Craig Thomas, 8. Viliame Ratu; 9. Vinnie Byrne, 10. Donny Nepia; 11. Terry Preston, 12. Billy Rainima, 13. Matt MacDougall, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Mark Preston.
Southern Districts: 1. Nic Henderson, 2. Dan Palmer, 3. Guy Shepherdson; 4. Matt Trouville, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. James McCormack; 9. Tim Small, 10. Matt Adair; 11. Andrew Barrett, 12. Michael McLeod, 13. Luke Milton, 14. Matt Barakat; 15. Nathan Dwyer.
Referee: James Scholtens

PENRITH (11th) V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) at Western Weekender Stadium (3:00pm)
The writing would seem to be on the wall for Penrith in this clash, however they will be determined to put in a strong performance when they host Sydney University at Western Weekender Stadium.

After threatening an upset over Randwick in round 15, the Emus have shut down in the last two weeks to concede 153 points in 160 minutes of Rugby.

The Students have made a few changes this week, however the depth of their team is still evident and they will be expecting to record another bonus point win having kept Penrith scoreless in round seven.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Adam Parbery, 3. Nick Barber; 4. Shemaiah Evans, 5. Liam Winton; 6. Lai Vatadroka, 7. Rodney Ma'a, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Jeremy Su'a, 10. Jono Rolfe [c]; 11.Nick Richardson, 12. Sia'a Taveuveu, 13. Michael Paulo, 14. Henry Lilomaiava; 15. Patrick Mekuri.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. Dean Mumm, 5. Hugh Hawkins; 6. David Fungalei, 7. Tim Aistrope, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Dan P Kelly; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Mitch Inman, 13. Leo Afeaki, 14. Lachlan Rosengreen; 15. Nathan Trist.
Referee: Ian Smith

EASTWOOD (7th) V WARRINGAH (6th) at T.G. Millner Field (3:00pm)
This is arguably the most important match of the round with Eastwood's semifinal hopes on the line when they host Warringah at T.G. Millner Field.

The Woodies are now seven points outside the top six, and if results went against them they could find themselves as far as twelve points out of finals contention with just four weeks remaining.

Eastwood have made some interesting backline changes to spark more points, with Brumbies squad member Rowan Kellam moving into flyhalf, while Wallaby Lachie Turner shifts to outside centre.

Warringah's side looks extremely strong with the return of Clint Eadie at inside centre, while Force flanker and 2008 Wallaby squad member Richard Brown has joined the Rats on a short-term deal. Add to that Beau Robinson at No.7 and the in-form Mark Gerrard at the back and it's set to be a fantastic encounter at Millner.
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. Dave Mason, 3. Salesi Ma'afu; 4. Scott Fardy, 5. Scott Flint; 6. Richard Brown, 7. Beau Robinson, 8. Andrew Rasmus; 9. Brett Sheehan, 10. Brock McGarity; 11. Ed Doyle, 12. Clint Eadie, 13. Pat McCabe, 14. Willie Bishop; 15. Mark Gerrard.
Eastwood: 1. David Goulter, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Marty Wilson, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Hugh Perrett [c], 7. Ben Coridas, 8. Gareth Palamo; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Rowan Kellam; 11. Filipo Toala, 12. Tim Corcoran, 13. Lachie Turner, 14. Jesse Leota; 15. John Grant.
Referee: Matt Goddard

NORTHERN SUBURBS (10th) V WEST HARBOUR (4th) at North Sydney Oval (1:30pm)
Northern Suburbs Rugby Club and the North Sydney Bears have joined forces to host the 'Red and Black, Back-to-Back' promotion at North Sydney Oval.

The Shoremen will kick-off against the Pirates at the early time of 1:30pm, to be followed by the NSW Cup rugby league encounter between the North Sydney Bears and Western Suburbs Magpies.

Norths have lost four of their last five matches, while West Harbour has slipped to fourth with three losses in their last five.

Of most concern for the Pirates is their defence which rates only ahead of Penrith and Southern Districts. However with their attack ranked third in the Shute Shield, there is no doubt West Harbour can turn it on when required and will need to do so to enter the finals in good form.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Joey Lynch, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Tim Archibald; 4. Tyler Hotson, 5. Anthony Reed, 6. Will Hunt, 7. David Maunsell, 8. Julian Salvi; 9. James Price, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Corey Brown, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Anthony Shortis; 15. Sam Norton-Knight.
West Harbour: 1.Campese Ma'afu, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Michael Rigney; 4. Damian Lloyd, 5. Ben Lonsdale; 6. Chris Aho, 7. Mark Porpiglia, 8. Isaiah Pine; 9. Brady Engert, 10. Dave Paurini; 11. Nick Reily, 12. Lester Salanoa, 13. Rory Sidey, 14. John Sinisa; 15. Ben Martin [c].
Referee: Daniel Cheever

PARRAMATTA (9th) V RANDWICK (2nd) at Two Blues Park (3:00pm)
Randwick are starting to hit their straps and with a side choc-full of representative players will be looking to consolidate second position when they take on Parramatta at Two Blues Park.

However the Galloping Greens definitely won't have it all their own way against a side which scored two bonus points last week against West Harbour and drew with Manly the week before.

Add into the equation that the Two Blues scored six tries to five in a round seven 36-all draw and this match is anything but a foregone conclusion.

However the Randwick side is much stronger this time around with Kepu, Freier, Chisholm and Mowen in the pack, with Phibbs, Valentine and Fainifo in the backline.
Parramatta: 1. Kris Zvirbulis, 2. Scott Podmore, 3. Matt Toli; 4. Andrew Brown [c], 5. Steve Mafi; 6. Andrew Cox, 7. Winney Paulo, 8. Junior To'o; 9. Luke Tabatoa, 10. Tom Woods; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Dave Alo, 13. Paula Kaveinga, 14. Brian Sefanaia; 15. Ben Borg.
Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Adam Freier, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steve Brennan, 5. Mark Chisholm; 6. Chris Houston, 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Ben Mowen; 9. Patrick Phibbs, 10. Josh Valentine; 11. Francis Fainifo, 12. Bernie Orbell, 13. Metui Maile, 14. David Batiratu; 15. David Dillon.
Referee: Grant MacNeill

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