Tooheys New Shute Shield :: Round 8 Preview
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Friday, 16 May 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
The Tooheys New Shute Shield presents some enticing encounters across Sydney with three of the five matches seeing sides adjacent to each other on the table facing off in round eight.
Randwick's Ratu Nasiganiyavi
Randwick's Ratu Nasiganiyavi
The ABC TV Match of the Day sees the clash of fourth and fifth with Randwick playing host to Warringah, eighth plays ninth when Norths travel to Parramatta while the battle to stay off the bottom of the ladder pits Penrith against Southern Districts.
Only five round eight matches will be contested this week with Sydney University in Brisbane to contest the Australian Club Championship with Sunnybank.
RANDWICK (4th) V WARRINGAH (5th) at Coogee Oval (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
Both sides will be looking to return to form this week after a slipping back on the Tooheys New Shute Shield table.
Randwick last week only managed a draw with Parramatta after a big loss to Eastwood the previous week, while last week the Woodies dispensed with the Rats a week after Warringah were lucky to get home against Penrith.
With just six points separating third from eighth, this fourth versus fifth battle will leave one side entrenched in the top six and the other struggling to hang on.
Randwick: 1. Daniel Spencer, 2. Atonio Halangahu, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steve Brennan, 5. Mat Whittleston; 6. Chris Houston, 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Ben Mowen; 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Toby Browne; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Dane Inman, 13. Metui Meile, 14. David Batiratu; 15. Bernie Orbell.
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. David Mason, 3. Pingi Talaapitaga; 4. Scott Flint, 5. Luke Hanvey; 6. Saia Latu, 7. Mitchell Greenway, 8. James Catt; 9. Sam Hutcherson, 10. Michael Ruthven; 11. Andrew Wiles, 12. Michael Letts, 13. Will Sare, 14. Ed Doyle; 15. Willie Bishop.
Referee: Julian Pritchard
EASTERN SUBURBS (6th) V WEST HARBOUR (2nd) at Woollahra Oval (3:00pm)
Two months ago Eastern Suburbs would have entered this match as favourites, however with West Harbour now a clear second on the table the outlook is now distinctly different.
The Pirates did it the hard way last week, coming from behind to record what was in the end a convincing 24-point victory over Norths, and they now average over 35 points per game.
Easts on the other hand have dropped three of their past four matches and will need a win at home to ensure they remain in the top half of the competition.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Mike Ross, 2. Sam Zlatevski, 3. Aaron Tawera; 4. Rob McMicken, 5. Adam Byrnes; 6. Ed Brenac, 7. Chris Hitch, 8. Tom Egan [c]; 9. Vitori Buatava, 10. Tom Azar; 11. John Collignon, 12.Alfred Paea, 13. Lloyd Jones, 14. Pat Smith; 15. Gavin Debartolo.
West Harbour: 1. Campese Ma'afu, 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].
Referee: Daniel Cheever
GORDON (3rd) V MANLY (10th) at Chatswood Oval (3:00pm)
This match would have seemed a one-sided affair a couple of weeks ago, however with Manly's return to form in May this clash is set to be one of the matches of the round.
After conceding 50 points in the opening round, Gordon have since lost only once and that was to the undefeated defending champions Sydney University.
On the other hand Manly have improved their position on the table with back-to-back victories over Norths and Easts, and are building the confidence to edge closer to finals contention.
Gordon: 1. Ofa Fainga'anuku, 2. Alex Gluth, 3. Martin Plokstys; 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.
Manly: 1. Eddie Aholelei, 2. Elvis Taione, 3. James Lakepa; 4. Sean Maloney, 5. Pat Maile; 6. Dylan Sigg, 7. Will Brame, 8. Daniel Collins; 9. Chris Cottee [c], 10. Josh Gamgee; 11. Matt Bell, 12. Jarrod Murphy, 13. Luke Johnson, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Matt Hopper.
Referee: Andrew Lees
PENRITH (12th) V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (11th) at Nepean Rugby Park (3:00pm)
While both of these sides are well down the competition ladder, there is much at stake for both sides with the loser set to be propping up the table after eight rounds of competition.
Penrith have shown the attacking ability this year to challenge many of the top sides but have consistently been let down by their defence.
Souths on the other hand have struggled to get their attack in order, scoring just 12 tries in seven matches.
Despite their positions on the table, expect this match to be an exciting encounter with both sides keen to avoid twelfth place.
Penrith: 1. Lamarn Ma'a, 2. Elvis Levi, 3. Nick Barber; 4. Shannon Rushworth, 5. Liam Winton; 6. Shemaiah Evans, 7. Rob Carlson, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Jeremy Su'a, 10. Jono Rolfe; 11. Campbell Sione, 12. Sia'a Taveuveu [c], 13. Patrick Mekuri, 14. Solomona Fainifo; 15. Nick Richardson.
Southern Districts: 1. Steven Harkin, 2. James McCormack, 3. Dan Palmer; 4. Matt Trouville, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. Greg Thomas; 9. Rob Chrystie, 10. Jordan McGregor; 11. Craig Richards, 12. Grant Trouville, 13. David Prince, 14. Jackson Mullane; 15. Michael Black [c].
Referee: Ian Smith
PARRAMATTA (9th) V NORTHERN SUBURBS (8th) at Two Blues Park (3:00pm)
One month ago this match would have seen a side without points taking on a team well entrenched on the top six.
Roll forward to round eight and Norths are desperate for victory having dropped to eighth on the back of four losses in the last five rounds.
Parramatta on the other hand have been one of the form sides of the long month having complemented back-to-back victories over Souths and Manly with an unlucky three-point loss to West Harbour and a draw last round at Randwick.
Parramatta: 1. Kris Zvirbulis, 2. Scott Podmore, 3. Matt Toli; 4. Andrew Brown [c], 5. Sitiveni Mafi; 6. Andrew Cox, 7. Winney Paulo, 8. Junior To'o; 9. Luke Tabatoa, 10. Josh Weeks; 11. Mohd Roache, 12. David Alo, 13. Paula Kaveinga, 14. Tito Mua; 15. Ben Borg.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Joey Lynch, 2. Al Manning, 3. Nick Lah; 4. Anthony Reed, 5. James Fitzgerald, 6. David Maunsell, 7. Sam Latunipulu, 8. Will Hunt; 9. Steve Evans, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Corey Brown, 12. Codie Medway, 13. James Lew, 14. Anthony Shortis, 15. Scott Barnes.
Referee: James Scholtens
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) V EASTWOOD (7th)
Due to Sydney University playing Sunnybank in the Australian Club Championship, this match will take place on Saturday 7 June.