Tooheys New Shute Shield :: Round 3 Preview
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Thursday, 10 April 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
With the table starting to take some shape after the first couple of rounds, the Tooheys New Shute Shield continues this week with Round 3 matches around Sydney.
Eastwood flyhalf Barney Wood
Eastwood flyhalf Barney Wood
Eastern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs and Sydney University have already grown a small buffer over the rest of the competition, with this weekend important for a number of sides to stay in touch.
EASTWOOD V EASTERN SUBURBS at T.G. Millner Field (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
Form says that Eastern Suburbs should continue their winning ways at T.G. Millner Field on Saturday, however Eastwood will have a lot to say about it in the ABC TV Match of the Day.
The Beasts sit in equal first after two rounds, having racked up 50 points and eight tries in each match.
Eastwood turned on a strong second half to beat Parramatta in round one, however last week couldn't contain a rampant Northern Suburbs conceding 28 points in each half.
Easts have again announced a strong side with Brumbies lock Richard Stanford selected in the second row, while HSBC Junior Waratahs prop Rob McMicken comes into tighthead prop.
Eastwood also bring in some good talent with Junior Waratah Ben Coridas starting his first match since returning from a knee injury, while former Waratahs prop Aaron Broughton-Rouse is also back to strengthen a strong forward pack.
The Tooheys New Shute Shield Match of the Day will be broadcast LIVE across NSW and the ACT on ABC 1 at 3:00pm, while it will also be screened nationally on the ABC's High Definition station, ABC HD Channel 20.
Eastwood: 15. Ben Batger 14. Jesse Leota 13. Sione Puikala 12. Tim Corcoran 11. Filipo Toala 10. Barney Wood 9. Dave Rimmer 8. Josh Dunning 7. Hugh Perrett [c] 6. Ben Coridas 5. Seva Rokobaro 4. Phil Mathers 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse 2. Chris Hill 1. Simon Norris
Eastern Suburbs: 15. Gavin Debartolo 14. Pat Smith 13. Lloyd Jones 12. Alfred Paea 11. Afusipa Taumeopeau 10. Trevor Byles 9. Luke Irwin 8. Tom Egan [c] 7. Will Brock 6. Ed Brenac 5. Adam Byrnes 4. Richard Stanford 3. Rob McMicken 2. Billy Johnston 1. Mike Ross
Referee: Julian Pritchard
PENRITH V GORDON at Western Weekender Stadium (3:00pm)
Saturday marks a huge day for Rugby in western Sydney with Penrith playing their first match at Western Weekender Stadium against Gordon.
The 7000-capacity ground has more than 500 undercover seats in the grandstand and has been regarded by HSBC Waratahs Head Coach Ewen McKenzie as the best home ground of any side in the Tooheys New Shute Shield.
Gordon go into the match as favourites after outlasting an imposing Randwick outfit last week, holding on for a two-point victory despite scoring three tries to four.
They will have their work cut out for them however against a Penrith side which has stayed with their opposition for extended periods in both matches thus far, showing an ability to maintain structure and score tries which has not been evident in recent years.
Gordon have moved Donny Nepia to fullback with Atu Vakatawakoro coming onto the wing to add some more tryscoring potency, while Paulie Tuala moves onto the side of the scrum for bloodied and battered skipper Ed Gower.
Ian Moyes has rewarded his charges by naming an unchanged Penrith lineup this weekend, with captain Sia'a Taveuveu leading by example in the first two matches with three tries to start the season.
Penrith: 15. Nick Richardson 14. Campbell Sione 13. Patrick Mekuri 12. Sia'a Taveuveu [c] 11. Brent Varga 10. Jono Rolfe 9. Jeremy Su'a 8. Lai Vatadroka 7. Rob Carlson 6. Shemaiah Evans 5. Liam Winton 4. Shannon Rushworth 3. Nick Barber 2. Elvis Levi 1. Dave Coventry
Gordon: 15. Donny Nepia 14. Atu Vakatawakoro 13. Josh Whitaker 12. Billy Rainima 11. Terry Preston 10. Dave Harvey 9. Vinnie Byrne 8. Viliame Ratu 7. Craig Thomas 6. Paulie Tuala 5. Kingsley Seale 4. Nifo Nifo 3. Marty Plokstys 2. Alex Gluth 1. Ofa Fainga'anuku
Referee: Andrew Lees
WARRINGAH V NORTHERN SUBURBS at Pittwater Rugby Park (3:00pm)
This match is set to be a ripper with table-topping Northern Suburbs heading to the beaches to take on an impressive Warringah lineup.
Norths have scored 16 tries in their opening two games to lead the Tooheys New Shute Shield on maximum points, however they will have their work cut out at Pittwater Rugby Park.
The Rats this week welcome back Australian Sevens stars Ross Duncan at flanker along with Willie Bishop and Peter Owens on the wings, who will combine with Clint Eadie and Sam Harris to make up one of the most impressive three-quarter lines in the competition.
After going down by just four points in their opening match of the season to West Harbour, Warringah will be looking for their first home victory of the season and are coming into the clash with good form following their five try performance over Parramatta last weekend.
With Ben Alexander recalled by the Brumbies, Joe Lynch comes into the Norths front row, while James Lew has replaced Codie Medway in the centres.
Warringah: 15. Pat McCabe 14. Willie Bishop 13. Clint Eadie 12. Sam Harris 11. Peter Owens 10. Michael Ruthven 9. Sam Hutcherson 8. Saia Latu 7. Mitchell Greenway 6. Ross Duncan 5. Luke Hanvey 4. Scott Flint 3. Pingi Talaapitaga 2. David Mason 1. Dan Raymond [c]
Northern Suburbs: 15. Chris Oxford 14. David Bond 13. Andrew Smith 12. James Lew 11. Corey Brown 10. Todd Sly 9. Steven Evans 8. William Hunt 7. Sam Latunipulu 6. James Fitzgerald 5. Adam Clayton 4. Chris Thomson 3. Nick Lah 2. Al Manning [c] 1. Joe Lynch
Referee: Nathan Pearce
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY V PARRAMATTA at University Oval No.1 (3:00pm)
Sydney University will be looking to make it three-in-a-row and collect their first home victory for the season when they host Parramatta at University Oval.
The Students are on maximum points after two bonus point victories, however they will have their work cut out for them against a courageous Two Blues outfit.
Parramatta were even with Eastwood at half-time of their opening match and won the second half against Warringah last week, showing if they can put 80 minutes together they'll be a tough nut to crack.
The Two Blues have named an unchanged lineup this week, while University have brought in former Waratahs No.9 Nathan Sievert in at the base of the scrum.
Sydney University: 15. Nathan Trist 14. Mitch Inman 13. Lachlan Mitchell 12. Daniel Halangahu 11. Hayden Bushell 10. Dan Kelly 9. Nathan Sievert 8. Tim Davidson [c] 7. Jono Jenkins 6. Pat McCutcheon 5. Lachlan McCutcheon 4. Ben McCalman 3. Laurie Weeks 2. Nathan Charles 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
Parramatta: 15. Paula Kaveinga 14. Mitch Gow 13. Josh Weeks 12. Dave Alo 11. Roland Herea 10. Aaron Mattin 9. Luke Tabutoa 8. Junior To'o 7. Winney Paulo 6. Andrew Cox 5. Steve Mafi 4. Andrew Brown [c] 3. Kris Zvirbulis 2. Scott Podmore 1. Kruger Roache
Referee: Grant MacNeill
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS V WEST HARBOUR at Forshaw Park (3:00pm)
Southern Districts and West Harbour both sit with a win and a loss after two rounds, however they will both be ruing what might have been a higher place on the ladder.
The Rebels led Randwick at half-time in round one before being run down, while the Pirates were level with Uni at the break last week before being blown away in the second half.
Brumby Runners lock Dan Guinness comes in to partner Junior Waratah Kane Douglas in the second row for Souths, while Irisa Taala makes his first start for 2008 on the wing for West Harbour.
Southern Districts: 15. Michael Black 14. Jackson Mullane 13. Craig Richards 12. Sean Rudder 11. Andrew Barrett 10. Darren Kapene 9. Timothy Small 8. Grant Trouville 7. Terry Autagavia 6. Matthew Trouville 5. Kane Douglas 4. Dan Guinness 3. Dan Palmer 2. James McCormack [c] 1. Duncan Chubb
West Harbour: 15. Ben Martin [c] 14. John Sinisa 13. Rory Sidey 12. Lester Salanoa 11. Irisa Taala 10. Dave Paurini 9. Steve Massey 8. Isaiah Pine 7. Mark Porpiglia 6. James King 5. Ben Lonsdale 4. Damian Lloyd 3. Michael Rigney 2. Ben Roberts 1. Campese Ma'afu
Referee: Angus Gardner
MANLY V RANDWICK at Manly Oval (3:00pm)
Manly will be desperate for a home victory over Randwick this week after gaining just one bonus point from two matches at Manly Oval to start the season.
It is an opportunity for both sides to prove themselves, with the Marlins getting into contention against Uni before the match slipped away, then last week going down by the smallest of margins to Souths. Randwick too will be looking to improve after a lacklustre win in the opening round before last week's two point loss to Gordon, despite scoring four tries to three.
Manly have brought in former NSW back Paul Dineen at No.10 and Matt Hopper at inside centre, while Lotu Taukeiaho comes into the Randwick front row after Sekope Kepu flew to Perth as the Waratahs 23rd man for their clash with the Force.
Changes to the halves will see Josh Valentine make his starting debut at No.9 for the Wicks where he will partner new flyhalf Danny Kroll.
Keep an eye on powerful Randwick winger Ratu Nasiganiyavi, who has scored doubles in each of the first two rounds this year and looks like being a strong contender for the competition's leading tryscorer.
Manly: 15. Adam D'Arcy 14. Matt Bell 13. Luke Johnson 12. Matt Hopper 11. Lupini Siale 10. Paul Dineen 9. Chris Cottee [c] 8. Mark Fisher 7. Will Brame 6. Ryan Melrose 5. Sean Maloney 4. Pat Maile 3. James Lakepa 2. Tim Donnan 1. Eddie Aholelei
Randwick: 15. Matthew Nethery 14. Tim Wright 13. Metui Maile 12. Bernie Orbell 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi 10. Danny Kroll 9. Josh Valentine 8. Chris Houston [c] 7. Rodney Voullaire 6. Tim Maxwell 5. Mat Whittleston 4. Steve Brennan 3. Daniel Spencer 2. Atonio Halangahu 1. Lotu Taukeiaho
Referee: Daniel Cheever