Eastwood look to stars to down Gordon
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Friday, 11 July 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
In the top six by just one point, Eastwood will look to their returning Wallabies in an attempt to defeat second-placed Gordon in Round 15 of the Tooheys New Shute Shield.
Eastwood No.8 Josh Dunning
Eastwood's Josh Dunning in heavy contact [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 5 - Eastwood v Penrith]
Matt Dunning and Lachie Turner will return to T.G. Millner field for Eastwood's clash with the Highlanders, with seven more Wallaby squad members turning out in club colours this weekend.
EASTWOOD (6th) V GORDON (2nd) at T.G. Millner Field (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
Gordon have scored maximum points from their last eight matches but will have their work cut out against a star-studded Eastwood outfit in the ABC TV Match of the Day.
In addition to the return of Wallabies Matt Dunning and Lachie Turner, Eastwood also boast Brumbies Josh Holmes and Rowan Kellam, Waratah Ben Batger, Junior Waratah Ben Coridas and former Australian Schools captain Damien Fitzpatrick.
It will be the first time Dunning has played in the same side as his youngest brother Josh, a Canadian U21 representative.
The Highlanders boast one of the most consistent line-ups in the competition but are up against a far more formidable Eastwood side than that which they defeated 52-8 in round four.
Should Gordon overcome Eastwood they will bring up nine wins in a row, the longest winning streak of the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield.
Eastwood: 1. Matt Dunning, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Marty Wilson, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Hugh Perrett [c], 7. Ben Coridas, 8. Josh Dunning; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Chris Donnelly; 11. Ben Batger, 12. Tim Corcoran, 13. Rowan Kellam, 14. Jesse Leota; 15. Lachie Turner.
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. Dave Harvey; 11. Terry Preston, 12. Billy Rainima, 13. Matt McDougall, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Mark Preston.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
WARRINGAH (5th) V EASTERN SUBURBS (7th) at Pittwater Rugby Park (3:00pm)
Warringah and Eastern Suburbs remain in the danger zone of semifinal contention with much riding on their clash at Pittwater Rugby Park.
The Rats have won four of their last five matches and have averaged more than 38 points per game in this period.
And while they welcome back Brett Sheehan in the No.9 jersey, they are without Beau Robinson and Mark Gerrard who are representing Australian Barbarians against Queensland.
Eastern Suburbs are now within one point of the top six having overcome Eastwood last Saturday.
With Gavin Debartolo and Clyde Rathbone scoring 28 points between them last week, Easts certainly have the firepower to trouble Warringah.
The Beasts have averaged 35 points in their last five matches indicating the side with the shrewdest defence will come out on top.
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. Huia Edmonds, 3. Pingi Talaapitaga; 4. Cameron Treloar, 5. Scott Flint; 6. Scott Fardy, 7. Mitchell Greenway, 8. Andrew Rasmus; 9. Brett Sheehan, 10. Brock McGarity; 11. Ed Doyle, 12. Clint Eadie, 13. Pat McCabe, 14. Willie Bishop; 15. Michael Letts.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Mike Ross, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. Aaron Tawera; 4. Tom Egan [c], 5. Matt McGann; 6. Ed Brenac, 7. Tim McGann, 8. Will Brock; 9. Luke Irwin, 10. Matt Toomua; 11. Clyde Rathbone, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton LaVin, 14.John Collignon; 15. Gavin Debartolo.
Referee: Damien Mitchelmore
PENRITH (11th) V RANDWICK (3rd) at Western Weekender Stadium (3:00pm)
Penrith will have their work cut out when they take on an experienced Randwick side at Western Weekender Stadium.
Henry Lilomaiava will start his first match of the season for the Emus and it will be a baptism of fire for the winger against a Randwick backline which includes Brumbies Patrick Phibbs, Gene Fairbanks and Francis Fainifo.
Randwick welcome back one of their favourite sons in hooker Adam Freier for this match, however Penrith will be happy they are not facing giant wing Ratu Nasiganiyavi (Australian Barbarians) or Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu (active rest following Australia A matches) who each scored a hat-trick in the Galloping Greens 62-19 victory in round four.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Elvis Levi, 3. Lemarn Ma'a; 4. Shemaiah Evans, 5. Shannan Rushworth; 6. Rodney Ma'a, 7. Rob Carlson, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Jeremy Su'a, 10. Jono Rolfe [c]; 11.Campbell Sione, 12. Sia'a Taveuveu, 13. Patrick Mekuri, 14. Henry Lilomaiava; 15. Solomona Fainifo.
Randwick: 1. Ben Rowe, 2. Adam Freier, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steve Brennan, 5. Ben Toleafoa; 6. Mat Whittleston, 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Chris Houston [c]; 9. Patrick Phibbs, 10. Gene Fairbanks; 11. Francis Fainifo, 12. Michael Berne, 13. Metui Maile, 14. David Batiratu; 15. Bernie Orbell.
Referee: Andrew Lees
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) V NORTHERN SUBURBS (10th) at University Oval No.1 (3:00pm)
It took Sydney University until the closing minutes to overcome Northern Suburbs at the Sydney Football Stadium in round four however they will field one of the strongest lineups in recent times when they meet at University Oval tomorrow.
Wallaby locks Dean Mumm and Dan Vickerman form an all-star second row in a pack which is full of representative and Super 14 experience.
Test rookie Ben Alexander will turn out for the Shoremen, however having lost eight of their last nine matches conceding more than 36 points per game along the way, Northern Suburbs face the toughest of challenges against the competition front-runners.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. Dean Mumm, 5. Dan Vickerman; 6. Pauliasi Taumoepeau, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Daniel Halangahu; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Lachlan Mitchell, 13. Leo Afeaki, 14. Lachlan Rosengreen; 15. Nathan Trist.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Tim Archibald; 4. Tyler Hotson, 5. Anthony Reed, 6. James Fitzgerald, 7. David Maunsell, 8. Al McFarland; 9. Steve Evans [c], 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Ryno Delport, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Dan Watson-Wood; 15. Corey Brown.
Referee: Nathan Pearce
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (12th) V PARRAMATTA (9th) at Forshaw Rugby Park (3:00pm)
Southern Districts will be hoping to score just their second victory of the season when they take on Parramatta at Forshaw Rugby Park.
The Rebels last week went within four points of upsetting fourth-placed West Harbour, scoring two bonus points along the way, giving them confidence against the Two Blues.
Parramatta however has been bolstered by the inclusion of Test hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau who is playing his first match since the Super 14 Final.
Southern Districts: 1. Duncan Chubb, 2. James McCormack [c], 3. Guy Shepherdson; 4. Dean Owsnett, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. Grant Trouville; 9. Rob Chrystie, 10. Michael Black; 11. Andrew Barrett, 12. Jackson Mullane, 13. Luke Milton, 14. Michael Ashby; 15.Tim Small.
Parramatta: 1. Kris Zvirbulis, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Matt Toli; 4. Andrew Brown [c], 5. Steve Mafi; 6. Richard Penisini, 7. Andrew Cox, 8. Junior To'o; 9. Luke Tabatoa, 10. Aaron Mattin; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Brian Sefanaia, 13. Paula Kaveinga, 14. Roland Herea; 15. Ben Borg.
Referee: Anthony Moyes
MANLY (8th) V WEST HARBOUR (4th) at Manly Oval (3:00pm)
George Smith returns to the Marlins this week and will be looking to inspire Manly to an upset victory over West Harbour.
When Smith returned in round ten he dominated in Manly's upset victory over Eastwood and will be hoping to have the same impact against the high-flying Pirates, with his brother Tyrone patrolling the midfield with similar effect.
West Harbour has lost only one match to teams ranked below them on the table this year, however after a scare against Souths last round the Pirates will need to hit back against a Manly side which continues to play for its season each week.
Manly: 1. Reuben Bijl [c], 2. Elvis Taione, 3. James Lakepa; 4.Pat Maile, 5. Dylan Sigg; 6. Daniel Collins, 7. Will Brame, 8. George Smith; 9. Paddy Pearce, 10. Josh Gamgee; 11. Luke Johnson, 12. Tyrone Smith, 13. Jarrod Murphy, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D'Arcy.
West Harbour: 1.Campese Ma'afu, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Michael Rigney; 4. Damian Lloyd, 5. Ben Lonsdale; 6. James King, 7. Mark Porpiglia, 8. Isaiah Pine; 9. Steve Massey, 10. Dave Paurini; 11. Nick Reily, 12. Lester Salanoa, 13. Rory Sidey, 14. John Sinisa; 15. Ben Martin [c].
Referee: Stuart Dickinson