'Rodzilla' joins stars returning to Tooheys New Shute Shield
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Friday, 20 June 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Queensland Reds and Wallaby prop Rodney Blake is the latest star selected to appear in the Tooheys New Shute Shield this weekend, making his first 2008 appearance for West Harbour against Warringah in the ABC TV Match of the Day.
Rodney Blake will return to West Harbour against Warringah
Rodney Blake will return to West Harbour against Warringah
Tooheys New Shute Shield
Tooheys New Shute Shield
The Pirates' inclusion of the seven-Test international adds to a huge list of stars returning to club Rugby this weekend, including Phil Waugh, Dean Mumm, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Ryan Cross, Clyde Rathbone, Al Baxter, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Josh Holmes and Francis Fainifo.
WEST HARBOUR (4th) V WARRINGAH (5th) at Concord Oval (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
When these two sides met in round one of the season West Harbour sent a jolt through the competition by recording a 32-28 victory at Pittwater Rugby Park.
Three months later it's clear the Pirates are the real deal in 2008, and with Rodney Blake bolstering the side up front, victory would extend the break the top four teams currently enjoy over fifth placed Warringah.
The Rats are flying high following their last gasp victory over Manly last weekend, however they will need to be right on their game to compete against one of the most exciting backlines in the competition.
A victory for Warringah - who are without Brett Sheehan - will bring them within a win of the top four, however a loss will keep them in a tight four-way struggle for fifth to eighth.
West Harbour: 1. Rodney Blake, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Luke Hunter; 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].
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. David Mason, 3. Pingi Talaapitaga; 4. Cameron Treloar, 5. Luke Hanvey; 6. Scott Fardy, 7. Mitchell Greenway, 8. Andrew Rasmus; 9. Sam Hutcherson, 10. Michael Ruthven; 11. Ed Doyle, 12. Clint Eadie, 13. Pat McCabe, 14. Willie Bishop; 15. Michael Letts.
Referee: Nathan Pearce
GORDON (2nd) V EASTERN SUBURBS (7th) at Chatswood Oval (3:00pm)
Gordon enter this match as favourites due to their position on the table and recent form, however with some big names returning to the Eastern Suburbs line-up, this is set to be a huge clash.
When these sides first met Easts ran out overwhelming 50-13 victors, however since then Gordon have won nine from ten, their only loss coming against competition front-runners Sydney University.
Gordon are on a five match winning streak but are facing an Easts side stinging from a close loss to Randwick last week.
The Beasties are also fielding one of the strongest sides of the season which includes Wallaby squad member Ryan Cross and Brumbies players Saia Faingaa and Afusipa Taumeopeau.
Easts have also included 26-Test veteran Clyde Rathbone on the bench with the Brumbies star set to make his return after a long injury layoff.
A win for Gordon will keep the Highlanders within striking distance of Sydney University at the top of the table, while Easts could go as high as fifth with victory at Chatswood.
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.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Mike Ross, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. Aaron Tawera; 4. Tom Egan [c], 5. Ed Brenac; 6. Ben Hopkins, 7. Tim McGann, 8. Will Brock; 9. Vitori Buatava, 10. Trevor Byles; 11. Ryan Cross, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton LaVin, 14. Afusipa Taumoepeau; 15. Lloyd Jones.
Referee: Grant MacNeill
NORTHERN SUBURBS (10th) V PENRITH (11th) at North Sydney Oval (3:00pm)
When Northern Suburbs tore apart Penrith 50-19 in round one, no one would have predicted these two teams would be battling it out in a battle for tenth in round twelve.
Norths have struggled to regain their early season form, however the presence of Wallabies Al Baxter and Adam Ashley-Cooper will add much needed experience for the Shoremen.
Penrith are one of the few clubs not welcoming back any representative stars this week, but remain high on confidence after coming from behind to beat Parramatta in last Friday's local derby.
With just three points separating these sides on the ladder, Penrith could move to tenth with a win while Norths need victory to remain in contact with the semifinal contenders.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Nick Lah, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Al Baxter; 4. Chris Thomson, 5. Anthony Reed, 6. James Fitzgerald, 7. Will Hunt, 8. Jason Peseta; 9. Steve Evans, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Ryno Delport, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Dan Watson-Wood, 15. Andrew Smith.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Elvis Levi, 3. Nick Barber; 4. Shemaiah Evans, 5. Liam Winton; 6. Rodney Ma'a, 7. Rob Carlson, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Brendan Craig, 10. Jono Rolfe; 11. Campbell Sione, 12. Patrick Mekuri, 13. Sia'a Taveuveu [c], 14. Solomona Fainifo; 15. Nick Richardson.
Referee: james Scholtens
PARRAMATTA (8th) V EASTWOOD (6th) at Two Blues Park (3:00pm)
Parramatta missed a golden opportunity after leading Penrith last week and are in need of victory at home when they meet Eastwood at Two Blues Park.
The Parramatta backline is one of the most potent in the competition, but this week it comes up a strong defensive side which went within a few minutes of defeating Sydney University just a fortnight ago.
Eastwood's victory over West Harbour last Friday saw them move into the top six, however this week they are without Lachie Turner who will represent Australia A on Sunday against Tonga.
The Woodies do however welcome back Brumbies half Josh Holmes who is sure to provide some spark in the back end of the season.
Parramatta: 1. Kris Zvirbulis, 2. Scott Podmore, 3. Matt Toli; 4. Andrew Brown [c], 5. Andrew Cox; 6. Ropati Matangi, 7. Winney Paulo, 8. Junior To'o; 9. Luke Tabatoa, 10. Josh Weeks; 11. Roland Herea, 12. Brian Sefanaia, 13. Paula Kaveinga, 14. Tito Mua; 15. Ben Borg.
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Marty Wilson, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Seva Rokobaro, 7. Hugh Perrett [c], 8. Josh Dunning; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Chris Donnelly; 11. Filipo Toala, 12. Tim Corcoran, 13. Jesse Leota, 14. Mark Frost; 15. Ben Batger.
Referee: George Ayoub
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) V MANLY (9th) at University Oval No.1 (3:00pm)
This is almost a make or break game for Manly as they enter the second round of the home and away draw, however they will have it all up against them when they take on Sydney University at University Oval.
The Students welcome back HSBC Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh and Test debutant Dean Mumm for this week's match, while Jerry Yanuyanutawa has also been released from the Australia A squad.
The Marlins went close to accounting for Warringah last weekend, however the result leaves Manly nine points adrift of the top six and desperate for victory.
Manly lost their first five matches of the season, and they cannot afford the same results against the same opposition in the second half of the competition, and an upset victory would be a huge way to kick off a charge towards the finals.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nick Hensley, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. Lachlan McCutcheon, 5. Dean Mumm; 6. Pauliasi Taumoepeau, 7. Phil Waugh, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Dan P Kelly; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Mitch Inman, 13. Leo Afeaki, 14. Lachlan Rosengreen; 15. Lachlan Mitchell.
Manly: 1. Reuben Bijl, 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. Stephen Scoles, 12. Jarrod Murphy, 13. Luke Johnson, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D'Arcy.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
RANDWICK (3rd) V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (12th) at Coogee Oval (3:00pm)
Randwick continue to maintain their position near the front of the competition and it is hard to see that changing after they face Southern Districts at Coogee Oval.
The Galloping Greens welcome back Test hooker Adam Freier and Australia A wing Francis Fainifo, while former Wallaby Peter Jorgensen has been selected at inside centre.
Southern Districts do not have the luxury of injecting any stars from Wallaby or Australia A duty, but will rely heavily on the experience of Test prop Nick Henderson and former Brumby hooker James McCormack to achieve some parity up front against an impressive Randwick pack.
Randwick: 1. Ben Rowe, 2. Adam Freier, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steve Brennan, 5. Tim Maxwell; 6. Mat Whittleston, 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Chris Houston [c]; 9. Tony Luxford, 10. Danny Kroll; 11. Matthew Nethery, 12. Peter Jorgensen, 13. Metui Meile, 14. Francis Fainifo; 15. Bernie Orbell.
Southern Districts: 1. Duncan Chubb, 2. James McCormack [c], 3. Nic Henderson; 4. Matt Trouville, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. Grant Trouville; 9. Tim Small, 10. Michael Black; 11. Andrew Barrett, 12. Dennis Pilli, 13. Luke Milton, 14. Michael Ashby; 15. Marc Leadbeater.
Referee: Julian Pritchard