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Brackin Karauria-Henry and Tevita Metuisela might be teammates when they line up for the HSBC Waratahs but it's a different story this weekend, when both will pull on their respective club colours.
As the Shute Shield rolls into round six, Karauria-Henry (Southern Districts) and Metuisela (Manly) will be hoping to lead their sides to victory, as they vye for top spot in Sydney's premier club rugby competition.
And both have been doing a good job so far, featuring prominently in the Marlins' and Rebels' surprise ascendance to the top of the Shute Shield ladder, passing pre-season favourites Eastwood and Sydney University.
Metuisela's top-placed Marlins will have a chance to stake their claim as title favourites in one of the most anticipated derby matches of the season, when they face Warringah for the ABC TV game of the day at Manly Oval.
After new father Karauria-Henry led his side to victory over Sydney University last week, the Rebels will have to back up against Gordon whose threat to the sides has been evident in recent weeks, with losses in the final seconds to both Eastern Suburbs and Sydney University.
In other round six matches, Sydney University will host Friday night football for the second year running when they take on Northern Suburbs. For the other Saturday afternoon matches, Randwick will face off against Penrith at Coogee Oval, Parramatta will host Eastwood at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park and West Harbour will be up against Eastern Suburbs at Concord Oval.
As usual, you can catch all the Shute Shield action on ABC 1 from 3pm every Saturday afternoon in NSW and the ACT. For interstate viewers, tune in at 4am on Tuesday mornings nationally on ABC 1 for the replay or alternatively you can catch up on ABC Iview.
In a new addition to this year's tournament, for $35 per season, Club Rugby TV provides rugby viewers with the option to watch two full Shute Shield games in HD quality each week including commentary, highlights and interviews. Club Rugby TV allows you to watch the rugby on your computer, Iphone, Ipad and IPTV all in full HD. This week, it's Sydney Uni v Norths (Friday night) and Parramatta v Eastwood on Saturday, go to www.clubrugbytv.com.au to subscribe.
You can also stay in touch with the Shute Shield on Facebook via http://www.facebook.com/shuteshield or on http://www.facebook.com/abcshuteshield where you can catch game highlights and a preview of the upcoming ABC TV match.
Alternatively, follow the Shute Shield on Twitter via @shuteshield or @abcshuteshield where you can send your thoughts through the week and receive live updates during games.
MANLY (1) v WARRINGAH (8) at Manly Oval (3pm)
In the battle of the Northern Beaches, Manly will look to keep their winning streak alive when they host Warringah at the Manly Oval. The Marlins managed to get themselves out of trouble last week against Penrith, and will most likely feel more relaxed when they play at home. Manly make four changes to their side for this week with flanker Neil Meyer, flyhalf Cam Pyne, centre Brian Sefanaia and fullback Jacob Woodhouse coming into first grade.
Warringah will most certainly be fired up for their clash against Manly this week, and will go into the match with confidence after last week's victory over West Harbour. The Rats have a real chance to upset the Marlins, with the derby match always throwing up a surprise each year. Warringah make two changes to their side for the derby match with prop David Mason and lock Scott Flint coming into first grade.
Manly: 1. Dane Maraki, 2. James Hilterbrand, 3. Eddie Aholelei; 4. Ryan Melrose, 5. Greg Peterson; 6. Neil Meyer, 7. Jordy Reid, 8. Tevita Metuisela[c]; 9. Max Wood, 10. Cam Pyne; 11. Richard Hooper, 12. Alex Miles, 13. Brian Sefanaia, 14. Sione Ala; 15. Jacob Woodhouse.
Warringah: 1. Wayne Borsak, 2. David Mason, 3. Ray Brown; 4.Ben Adams[c] 5. Scott Flint; 6. Sam Ward, 7. Mark Porpiglia, 8. Jack Tomkins; 9. Tim Donlan, 10. Hamish Angus; 11. Elliot Foils 12. Michael Adams, 13. Edward Doyle, 14. Michael Dalton; 15. David Feltscheer.
Referee: Andrew Lees
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (5) v NORTHERN SURBURBS (7) at University Oval No.1, Friday 18th May (7:30pm)
Sydney University and Northern Suburbs will play under lights at University Oval No.1 in the first Friday night match of the season. The Students are looking to bounce back after last week's tight loss against Southern Districts, while the Shoremen picked up a much needed win last week at home against Randwick.
The Students make five changes to the side that lost to Southern Districts last week with flanker Liam Winton, captain and halfback Matt Schwager and Angus Roberts all returning to first grade while prop Sam Talakia and lock Tom Heslop get their maiden starts in first grade for the season.
Northern Suburbs name an unchanged side to the one that defeated Randwick last week. Winger Corey Brown will prove valuable to the side, having found the line on a number of occasions this season.
Sydney University: 1.Dylan Evans, 2. James Riches, 3. Sam Talakai; 4. Oliver Atkins, 5. Tom Heslop; 6. Liam Winton, 7. David Hickey, 8. Trent Dyer; 9. Matt Schwager[c], 10. Daniel Kelly; 11. Peter Betham, 12. James McMahon, 13. Michael Hodge, 14. Nathan Trist; 15. Angus Roberts.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Lawrance Hunting, 2.Nick Seymour, 3. Nick Lah; 4 Rory Walton, 5. Seti Tafua; 6. Jordan Smiler, 7. Will Brame, 8. AJ Gilbert [c]; 9. Liam Walker, 10. Mitch Walton; 11. Corey Brown, 12. Chris Tuatara, 13. Bill Meaks, 14. Elih Baillie; 15. Haydn Wolfsbauer.
Referee: William Houston
RANDWICK (11) v PENRITH (12) at Coogee Oval (3pm)
Randwick will host Penrith at Coogee Oval, as both sides will look for their first taste of victory for 2012. Randwick went down to Northern Suburbs last week at North Sydney Oval, which is always a tough task, while Penrith gave Manly a first half scare and almost pulled off the upset of the season. The performances by both sides last round sets up a great scenario, as both sides will have to fight hard for their first win.
Randwick have made three changes to their side for this week with lock Geoff Ingram and No.8 David Parsons coming back into first grade team while centre James White gets the call up to first grade. Penrith have made three changes to this week's side, with winger Tala Mapensone, flanker Cohen Masson and prop Junior Sakaria coming back into first grade.
Randwick: 1. George Fifita, 2. Patto Noriega, 3. Steven Noriega; 4. Geoff Ingram, 5.Bryce Speechley; 6. Steve Bennie, 7. Tim McGann, 8. David Parsons; 9. James Helliwell, 10. Daniel Flemming; 11. Dominic Bower, 12. James White, 13. Tim Wright, 14. Apaola Tea; 15. Ethan Ford.
Penrith: 1. Junior Sakaria, 2. Keiren Straker, 3. Richard Aho[c]; 4.Tyrone Emelio, 5.Kornelio Burgess; 6. Junior Taavili, 7. Cohen Masson, 8. Jason Peseta; 9. Solomona Silipa, 10. Fokolulu Taumalolo; 11. Tala Mapesone, 12. Fred Tuua, 13. Mark Murray, 14. Wilson Silipa; 15. Chris Aunise-Scalan.
Referee: Julian Pritchard
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (2) v GORDON (9) at Forshaw Rugby Park (3pm)
Southern Districts will once again be tested at Forshaw Rugby Park when they go up against Gordon. One of the keys to the Rebels' win last weekend was their enterprising style of rugby that saw them baffle the Sydney University defensive line. It doesn't get easier for Gordon this round, as they have come off tough defeats to Sydney University and Eastwood. The Highlanders' will have to step up again this week if they want to beat the Rebels away from home.
Southern Districts make four changes to their side for this week, opting for a new lock combination with Dallas Pawley and Andrew Archibald coming into the side, while Matt Swan gets his first start at No.8. Alex Gibbon comes into outside centre and will gain some good experience surrounded by a solid backline.
Gordon make only the one change to the side, covering for the injured Tom Hill, with centre Lucas Simkin getting his maiden first grade start of the season after bagging a few tries off the bench for first grade this year.
Southern Districts: 1. Marcus Heather, 2. Andrew Sulter, 3. Tim Metcher; 4. Dallas Pawley, 5 Andrew Archibald; 6. Sean Doyle, 7. Sam Latunipulu, 8. Matt Swann; 9 Grayson Hart, 10. Rohan Saifolio; 11. Ben Connolly, 12. Lester Solanoa, 13. Alex Gibbon, 14. Nicky Price; 15. Brackin Karauria-Henry[c].
Gordon: 1. Aritema Ralulu, 2. Ron Hobden, 3. Tobias Gukibau[c]; 4. Roni Scarano, 5. Mark Johnson; 6. Mark Williams, 7. Mitch Greenway, 8. Luke Rissman; 9. Hamish McGilvray, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Eric Maroni, 12. Tom Matthews, 13. Lucas Simkin, 14. Michael Manners; 15. Lachlan Mitchell.
Referee: Matt O'Brien
WEST HARBOUR (10) v EASTERN SUBURBS (4) at Concord Oval (3pm)
West Harbour will look to pounce on Eastern Suburbs at Concord Oval as they chase their second win of the season. The Beasts look to have found their form and are slowly establishing themselves title contenders, after an impressive second-half fight back against Parramatta last week.
The Pirates have made only one change to the side that lost to Warringah last week, with Henry Seavula coming back into first grade. The Beasts will be weary of fullback Oleni Ngungutau, who once again found the try line last week, making it five games in a row that he has scored a five pointer.
The Beasts make three changes to the side that grabbed victory over Parramatta last week, with prop Rob McMickan coming back into first grade, while winger Toese Vou Siutu and fullback Harry Bennett come into the side after second grade matches last week.
West Harbour: 1.Todd Pearce, 2.Paul Ngauamo, 3. Vaughan Lomax; 4. Alfed Pinomi, 5. Tom Patterson; 6. Dan Corry 7. Tom Andrews, 8. Tom Games[c],; 9. Ben Murray, 10. Shaun Treweek; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Nua Alone, 13. Henry Seavula, 14.Macquarie Tatola; 15 Oleni Ngungutau.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Clay Brodie, 2. Heath Tessmann, 3. Rob McMickan; 4. Will Crutchley, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Richard Stanford, 7. Jordan Brown, 8. Pauliasi Taumoepeau[c]; 9. Luke Irwin, 10. Angus Sinclair; 11. Scott Ferris, 12. Marc Koteczky, 13. Anton Lavin, 14.Toese Vou Siutu; 15 Harry Bennett.
Referee: Jamie McGregor
PARRAMATTA (6) v EASTWOOD (3) at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park (3pm)
Parramatta gave up a substantial lead over Eastern Suburbs last week, but will have the chance to redeem themselves when they face Eastwood at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park. The Two Blues are a growing side and it showed last week, when they put on 17 unanswered points against the Beasts, but threw it all away in the second half.
Eastwood bounced back in impressive fashion over Gordon after being outclassed by the Beasties in the previous round, and have looked to find a solid replacement to the injured Pierre Hola in flyhalf Ben James. The Woodies will be tough to stop up front this week with lock Tom Alexander coming into the side after his recent season with the London Irish club in the Aviva Premiership. No.8 Gareth Palamo returns to first grade as does fullback Ben Batger, who joins his personal training business partner and brother Nick in the backline.
Parramatta: 1. Nicholas Blacklock, 2. Matthew Borg, 3. Mika Polota Nau; 4. Ryan Aniseko, 5. Adam Coleman; 6.Evan Olmstead, 7. Matt White, 8. Andrew Cox[c]; 9. Kaleb Rech, 10. Sam Yakopo; 11. Tui Fa'asisila, 12.Damien Fakafanua[c],13. Iese Leota, 14. Moses Tavola; 15. Tom Woods.
Eastwood: 1. Marty Plokstys, 2. Chris Hill, 3. Dylan Brass; 4. Mitch Lees, 5. Jared Barry; 6. Tom Alexander, 7. Miles McCaffrey, 8. Gareth Palamo; 9. Mick Snowden, 10. Ben James; 11. Mark Frost, 12. Sione Piukala, 13. Michael McDougall, 14. Nick Batger; 15. Ben Batger.
Referee: Richard Goswell
SRU Premiership Competition » Shute Shield (1st Grade)