Top spot on the line at University Oval on Saturday
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Thursday, 24 July 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
The minor premiers of the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield could well be decided this Saturday when front-runners Sydney University take on Gordon in the ABC TV Match of the Day.
Skipper Tim Davidson attacks
Sydney University skipper Tim Davidson finds space against Gordon [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 6 - Gordon v Sydney University at Chatswood Oval]
While there are some other interesting matches scheduled across Sydney in Round 17, all eyes will be on University Oval where the top two teams are going head to head.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) V GORDON (2nd) at University Oval No. 1 (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
Top position on the Tooheys New Shute Shield ladder will be on the line when Sydney University play host to Gordon in the match of the round.
Amazingly, both sides suffered upset defeats last weekend with the Students unable to produce one of their trademark second half comebacks against Eastern Suburbs, while Warringah held on for a two-point win over the Highlanders.
Both sides field relatively consistent line-ups, however Sydney Uni are without lock Dan Vickerman who has been called back to Wallaby duty.
With just five rounds remaining after this one and both teams going into their remaining matches as favourites, this clash could well decide the minor premiers for 2008.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. Lachlan McCutcheon, 5. Dean Mumm; 6. Pat McCutcheon, 7. Jono Jenkins, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Daniel Halangahu; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Dan P Kelly, 13. Leo Afeaki, 14. Lachlan Rosengreen; 15. Nathan Trist.
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. Sinclair Fischer-Grey, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Mark Preston.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (12th) V EASTERN SUBURBS (5th) at Forshaw Rugby Park (3:00pm)
With Clyde Rathbone, Gavin Debartolo and Anton LaVin on fire, Eastern Suburbs are currently one of the form sides of the competition and will cause plenty of problems when they travel to Forshaw Rugby Park to take on Southern Districts.
The Rebels pack some real punch up front with Nick Henderson, James McCormack and Dan Palmer in the front row and Guy Shepherdson on the bench, however their inability to score points has been their downfall in 2008.
Easts currently sit in fifth position but will confidently hold aspirations of finishing in the top four, and will be high on confidence after last weekend becoming just the second side to beat Sydney University.
Southern Districts: 1. Nic Henderson, 2. James McCormack, 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. Craig Richards, 12. Matt Adair, 13. Luke Milton, 14. Jackson Mullane; 15.Tim Small.
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. Matt Toomua; 11. Clyde Rathbone, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton LaVin, 14.John Collignon; 15. Gavin Debartolo.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
WARRINGAH (6th) V PENRITH (11th) at Pittwater Rugby Park (3:00pm)
Warringah pulled off a major upset in defeating Gordon last weekend but will need to follow that with a strong performance against Penrith to keep their semifinal aspirations on track.
With Wallaby Mark Gerrard leading the way, Warringah last week proved they are title contenders however are in the middle of a logjam on the Shute Shield table with just three points separating fourth from seventh.
Penrith were disappointing against Eastwood last week, however if they can regain their form of a fortnight ago when they caused Randwick some real problems, they could challenge the Rats for extended periods in this clash.
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. Dave Mason, 3. Salesi Ma'afu; 4. Scott Fardy, 5. Scott Flint; 6. Mitchell Longrigg, 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.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Adam Parbery, 3. Nick Barber; 4. Shemaiah Evans, 5. Liam Winton; 6. Rodney Ma'a, 7. Rob Carlson, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Jeremy Su'a, 10. Jono Rolfe [c]; 11.Campbell Sione, 12. Patrick Mekuri, 13. Solomona Fainifo, 14. Henry Lilomaiava; 15. Nick Richardson.
Referee: Julian Pritchard
RANDWICK (3rd) V EASTWOOD (7th) at Coogee Oval (3:00pm)
With Randwick's representative ranks continuing to swell, the Galloping Greens will go into this match high on confidence but wary of their opponents, Eastwood.
The Woods were unlucky not to leap into fifth position last week after Warringah and Easts both knocked off the top two sides in the competition.
However with the Rats and Beasts both expected to win this weekend, Eastwood have all the motivation they need to knock off one of the most talented sides in the competition.
This weekend Randwick field arguably their strongest side of the year with five Wallabies and four more Super Rugby contracted players.
Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Adam Freier, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steve Brennan, 5. Mark Chisholm; 6. Mat Whittleston, 7. Ben Mowen, 8. Stephen Hoiles; 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Bernie Orbell; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Peter Jorgensen, 13. Metui Maile, 14. David Batiratu; 15. Francis Fainifo.
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Marty Wilson, 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. Jesse Leota; 15. Lachie Turner.
Referee: James Leckie
MANLY (8th) V NORTHERN SUBURBS (10th) at Manly Oval (3:00pm)
Manly's slim semifinal hopes remain alive however they will need to hit form against a resurgent Northern Suburbs side at Manly Oval.
The Marlins remain nine points outside the top six and will be ruing their draw with Parramatta last week, however a strong result will keep them in the hunt with five rounds remaining.
Norths on the other hand have were courageous in defeat against Sydney University a fortnight ago, and with Sam Norton-Knight leading the way last weekend in their victory over Souths, the Shoremen are hoping to finish the season on a positive note.
Boosting the Norths ranks this weekend is the inclusion of Brumbies backrower Julian Salvi at No.8.
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. Matt Hopper, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D'Arcy.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Tim Archibald; 4. Tyler Hotson, 5. Anthony Reed, 6. James Fitzgerald, 7. David Maunsell, 8. Julian Salvi; 9. Steve Evans, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Corey Brown, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Dan Watson-Wood; 15. Sam Norton-Knight.
Referee: Nathan Pearce
WEST HARBOUR (4th) V PARRAMATTA (9th) at Concord Oval (3:00pm)
West Harbour will need to return to their form of a month ago if they are to reignite their semifinal campaign this weekend against Parramatta.
It is only a few weeks since West Harbour had a share of third on the table, however since then the Pirates have struggled to a four-point win over Souths and suffered two thrashings at the hands of Manly (71-17) and Randwick (63-24).
Parramatta would need a miracle to make the semifinals, however their draw with Manly last weekend showed the Two Blues will not lie down over the final six weeks of the regular season.
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. Lester Salanoa, 13. Rory Sidey, 14. John Sinisa; 15. Ben Martin [c].
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.
Referee: James Scholtens