New South Wales Rugby

Timana Tahu to play first match for Pirates

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Thursday, 17 July 2008
NSWRU Media Unit

Timana Tahu in action for Australia A.

Timana Tahu in action for Australia A. [2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup - Australia A v NZ Maori at SFS]

Tahu has overcome injury, had an impact in the HSBC Waratahs charge to the Super 14 final and impressed for Australia A in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup. This form in less than six months in the sport has already earned the rugby league recruit a place in the Wallaby squad, however this week he will wear Pirates colours for the first time.

West Harbour have scored 76 tries in 2008, equal top of the competition with Sydney University, and Tahu's inclusion will only add more potency to what is already one of the Shute Shield's most impressive backlines.

The match will see third play fourth and could have a big impact when the semifinal positions become more concrete in a few weeks time.

Tahu is one of eight players not required by Robbie Deans for the Wallabies Test against South Africa on Saturday, with seven players returning to play in the Shute Shield.

Two of those Wallabies are Dean Mumm and Dan Vickerman who will once against lock the Sydney University scrum in their 1st v 6th clash with Eastern Suburbs.

This match has extra significance being the 200th clash between the two teams and Easts will wear a commemorative black jersey to recognise the occasion.

The other top six match is the ABC TV game and sees second-placed Gordon do battle with fifth-placed Warringah at Chatswood Oval.

The Bledisloe Cup will be on show at this match where Brett Sheehan, Beau Robinson and Mark Gerrard will be doing their best for the Rats to stop Gordon's nine-game winning streak.

RANDWICK V WEST HARBOUR at Coogee Oval (3:00pm)
While Timana Tahu will be the star attraction at Coogee Oval this weekend, the final outcome of this match could go a long way to determining these two teams positions at semifinal time.

Randwick has hardly been at their sparkling best in recent weeks following up two straight losses with a lacklustre victory over Penrith.

With the third-placed Wicks taking on the fourth-placed Pirates, there is much at stake with just six more regular season matches remaining this year.

And while the Pirates will have Tahu in their ranks, Randwick will also wheel out the big guns for the all-important clash.

Adam Freier has also headed back from Wallaby camp to play for Randwick alongside Waratah teammates Sekope Kepu, Josh Valentine and new recruit Ratu Nasiganiyavi.

Brumbies back Francis Fainifo will play fullback for the Galloping Greens, while Waratah backrower Ben Mowen is expected to return from an ankle injury from the bench.

Tahu's inclusion at inside centre for West Harbour has seen Lester Salanoa pushed to the wing in place of the competition's leading tryscorer, John Sinisa.
Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Adam Freier, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Ben Toleafoa, 5. Steve Brennan; 6. Mat Whittleston, 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Chris Houston [c]; 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Bernie Orbell; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Peter Jorgensen, 13. Metui Maile, 14. David Batiratu; 15. Francis Fainifo.
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. Steve Massey, 10. Dave Paurini; 11. Nick Reily, 12. Timana Tahu, 13. Rory Sidey, 14. Lester Salanoa; 15. Ben Martin [c].
Referee: Damien Mitchelmore

GORDON V WARRINGAH at Chatswood Oval (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
The ABC TV Match of the Day again sees Gordon in action and the Highlanders will be looking to make it ten wins in a row when they face Warringah at Chatswood Oval.

Put under the pump by Eastwood last week, Gordon proved they are one of the toughest sides to overcome in the competition, winning a nail-biter by just four points.

The second-placed Highlanders have brought Sinclair Fischer-Grey back into the side at outside centre, however the notable team changes are all with the Rats and are such that Warringah will give themselves a big chance of snapping Gordon's winning streak.

Brett Sheehan returns from Wallaby camp at scrumhalf for the Rats, while Brumbies prop Salesi Ma'afu, Waratahs flanker Beau Robinson and Brumbies fullback Mark Gerrard are all back in action after playing for Australian Barbarians against Queensland last week.

The Rats however are without Huia Edmonds and Clint Eadie, two of their best players in recent weeks, who both left the ground injured in last week's loss to Eastern Suburbs.

If Warringah are to stop Gordon, they will need to keep wingers Sisa Waqa and Terry Preston in check. Over the course of the Highlanders nine-match winning streak, Waqa and Preston have scored 20 tries between them.
Gordon: 1. Ofa Fainga'anuku, 2. Alex Gluth, 3. Steve Taylor; 4. Nifo Nifo, 5. Ed Gower [c]; 6. Paulie Tuala, 7. Craig Thomas, 8. Viliame Ratu; 9. Vinnie Byrne, 10. Dave Harvey; 11. Terry Preston, 12. Billy Rainima, 13. Sinclair Fischer-Grey, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Mark Preston.
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. Dave Mason, 3. Salesi Ma'afu; 4. Cameron Treloar, 5. Scott Flint; 6. Scott Fardy, 7. Beau Robinson, 8. Andrew Rasmus; 9. Brett Sheehan, 10. Michael Ruthven; 11. Ed Doyle, 12. Brock McGarity, 13. Pat McCabe, 14. Willie Bishop; 15. Mark Gerrard.
Referee: Ian Smith

EASTERN SUBURBS V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY Woollahra Oval (3:00pm)
Thousands are expected at Woollahra Oval to see Eastern Suburbs take on Sydney University for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Eastern Suburbs have found themselves back in the top six for the first time since round ten with Saia Faingaa, Clyde Rathbone and Gavin Debartolo instrumental in their three-game winning streak.

Secondly, top of the table Sydney University are on show with Wallaby locks Dean Mumm and Dan Vickerman in the second row.

And finally the clash will be the 200th occasion Eastern Suburbs and Sydney University have faced off since their first meeting in 1900. The match will be commemorated with Easts wearing a black jersey, replicating the first jersey worn by the team more than a century ago.
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. Will Brock; 9. Luke Irwin, 10. Vitori Buatava; 11. Clyde Rathbone, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton LaVin, 14.John Collignon; 15. Gavin Debartolo.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nick Hensley, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. Dean Mumm, 5. Dan Vickerman; 6. Pauliasi Taumoepeau, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Dan P Kelly; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Daniel Halangahu, 13. Leo Afeaki, 14. Lachlan Rosengreen; 15. Nathan Trist.
Referee: Nathan Pearce

PENRITH V EASTWOOD at T.G. Millner Field (3:00pm)
Eastwood will be hoping to get their semifinal chase back on track when they take on Penrith at T.G. Millner Field.

Consecutive losses to Eastern Suburbs and Gordon have seen the Woodies slip two points outside the top six and in need of victory.

They welcome back Wallaby Lachie Turner onto the wing this week, however will be without two of their best players from their bonus point loss to the Highlanders. Matt Dunning has returned to the Wallaby line-up, while his brother Josh is out after limping from the field during the second half last week.

Penrith were well in their match with Randwick last round and are still looking to snare a leading scalp in 2008 after promising so much in so many matches.

However the Emus defence will need to be strong against powerful centres Rowan Kellam and Tim Corcoran, speedy fullback John Grant and, of course, Turner.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Adam Parbery, 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. Solomona Fainifo, 14. Henry Lilomaiava; 15. Patrick Mekuri.
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Seva Rokobaro, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Hugh Perrett [c], 7. Ben Coridas, 8. Gareth Palamo; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Barney Wood; 11. Filipo Toala, 12. Tim Corcoran, 13. Rowan Kellam, 14. Lachie Turner; 15. John Grant.
Referee: James Scholtens

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS V NORTHERN SUBURBS at Forshaw Rugby Park (3:00pm)
These two teams are at the wrong end of the Tooheys New Shute Shield ladder meaning pride will be on the line when Southern Districts host Northern Suburbs at Forshaw Rugby Park.

Souths have won just one match this year but welcome one of their young guns back in Waratah prop Dan Palmer.

Hooker and captain James McCormack has been one of the surprise packets on the tryscorers list in 2008, snaring 10 tries for the Rebels to sit in equal seventh.

Norths have been disappointing since their blistering opening to the year to now be in tenth position.

However there are positive signs for the Shoremen with Wallaby prop Ben Alexander and Waratah back Sam Norton-Knight back in action this week.

Norths will take confidence into this match after turning a 28-7 half-time deficit into a respectable nine-point loss to Sydney University last week, and will be hoping to make it two-from-two against the Rebels this year following their 30-10 victory in round five.
Southern Districts: 1. Nic Henderson, 2. James McCormack [c], 3. Dan Palmer; 4. Matt Trouville, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. Grant Trouville; 9. Rob Chrystie, 10. Michael Black; 11. Jackson Mullane, 12. Matt Adair, 13. Luke Milton, 14. Craig Richards; 15.Tim Small.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Tim Archibald; 4. Tyler Hotson, 5. Anthony Reed, 6. James Fitzgerald, 7. David Maunsell, 8. Jason Peseta; 9. Steve Evans [c], 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Ryno Delport, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Dan Watson-Wood; 15. Sam Norton-Knight.
Referee: George Ayoub

PARRAMATTA V MANLY at Two Blues Park (3:00pm)
This match is certain to be one of the hardest fought of the round with both Parramatta and Manly looking to keep their semifinal aspirations alive at Two Blues Park.

Parramatta are ten points outside the top six and Manly seven points adrift, however with the top six teams playing each other this week there is certain to be some movement around the fringes of finals contention.

Parramatta have lost Tatafu Polota-Nau back to the Wallabies, while Manly also lose the firepower of Wycliff Palu and George Smith who were instrumental in the Marlins annihilation of West Harbour last week.

If Manly can keep the momentum going they will register their fourth win in a row, and will have turned the tables on all teams which delivered them their five straight losses at the start of the year with the exception of Sydney University.
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. Aaron Mattin; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Brian Sefanaia, 13. Paula Kaveinga, 14. Roland Herea; 15. Ben Borg.
Manly: 1. Reuben Bijl [c], 2. Elvis Taione, 3. James Lakepa; 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. Tyrone Smith, 13. Jarrod Murphy, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D'Arcy.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson

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