Tooheys New Shute Shield :: Round 10 Preview
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Friday, 30 May 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Round 10 of the Tooheys New Shute Shield takes a slightly different complexion with a number of Super 14 players returning to bolster their club sides.
Randwick half Josh Valentine
Randwick half Josh Valentine. [2008 TNSS - Rd 3]
Randwick have a great chance of upsetting frontrunners Sydney University, while Parramatta will look to move further up the table in the other top six clash this week.
RANDWICK (3rd) V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) at Coogee Oval (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
The Galloping Greens have been seen by many as a side which could challenge undefeated Sydney University and they meet them with their strongest side of the year tomorrow at Coogee.
While Randwick are without Waratah Ben Mowen (ankle) and the competition's leading tryscorer Ratu Nasiganiyavi (Australia U20), their side is packed full of Super 14 experience with Sekope Kepu in the front row, Stephen Hoiles at No.8, Pat Phibbs and Josh Valentine in the halves and Francis Fainifo on the wing.
Sydney University's side is largely unchanged from the team which has performed so well throughout 2008. They are however without Pat McCutcheon who joined the Waratahs in Christchurch on Thursday night as the new 24th man after David Lyons withdrew with a hamstring strain.
Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Atonio Halangahu, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Tim Maxwell, 5. Mat Whittleston; 6. Chris Houston [c], 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Stephen Hoiles; 9. Patrick Phibbs, 10. Josh Valentine; 11. Francis Fainifo, 12. Michael Berne, 13. Metui Meile, 14. David Batiratu; 15. Bernie Orbell.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nick Hensley, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. David McDuling, 5. Lachlan McCutcheon; 6. Pauliasi Taumeopeau, 7. Jono Jenkins, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Dan Kelly; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Daniel Halangahu, 13. Leo Afeaki, 14. Lachlan Rosengreen; 15. Lachlan Mitchell.
Referee: Damien Mitchelmore
NORTHERN SUBURBS (9th) V EASTERN SUBURBS (8th) at North Sydney Oval (3:00pm)
Two months ago these two sides were flying high on top of the competition table. How times have changed.
Norths continue to tinker with their side, and are strengthened with Al Manning rejoining the team after being called up for the Super 14 semifinal against the Sharks.
Easts see the return of centre Anton LaVin, however the loss of fullback and 2007 Catchpole Medallist Gavin Debartolo in the early stages last week could have an ongoing effect on their season's campaign.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Nick Lah, 2. Al Manning, 3. Ben Alexander; 4. Chris Thomson, 5. Anthony Reed, 6. Simon Johnson, 7. Sam Latunipulu, 8. James Fitzgerald; 9. Steve Evans, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Ryno Delport, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Dan Watson-Wood, 15. Seamus Ross.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Mike Ross, 2. Sam Zlatevski, 3. Aaron Tawera; 4. Tom Egan [c], 5. Ed Brenac; 6. Chad Lawson, 7. Ben Hopkins, 8. Will Brock; 9. Vitori Buatava, 10. James McSeveny; 11. John Collignon, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton LaVin, 14. Pat Smith; 15. Lloyd Jones.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
PARRAMATTA (6th) V GORDON (2nd) at Two Blues Park (3:00pm)
On paper Gordon look the hot favourites, however with Parramatta rising from second last to now be in the top six, this is set to be a fabulous encounter at Two Blues Park.
Parramatta enters the match with the same line-up that accounted for Eastern Suburbs last week at Woollahra, and would seem even more formidable at home.
Gordon has made limited changes to their side which defeated West Harbour last weekend, and while they will go into the match with confidence, the Highlanders have a big job on their hands to defeat one of the form sides of the competition.
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. Brian Sefanaia, 12. Dave Alo, 13. Paula Kaveinga, 14. Tito Mua; 15. Ben Borg.
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. Darren Firmin, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Mark Preston.
Referee: Julian Pritchard
WEST HARBOUR (4th) V PENRITH (11th) at Concord Oval (3:00pm)
Both of these teams have no trouble scoring points so defence will be the key when West Harbour hosts Penrith at Concord Oval.
The Pirates field the same side which went down to Gordon last week and will be determined to cement their place in the top four with victory over the Emus.
Penrith's goalkicking cost them the chance to upset Manly last weekend, but with captain Sia'a Taveuveu returning in the centres, the side should lift another gear and could trouble West Harbour.
West Harbour: 1. Michael Rigney, 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].
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Elvis Levi, 3. Nick Barber; 4. Shannon Rushworth, 5. Liam Winton; 6. Shemaiah Evans, 7. Rob Carlson, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Brendan Craig, 10. Jono Rolfe; 11. Solomona Fainifo, 12. Patrick Mekuri, 13. Sia'a Taveuveu [c], 14. Brent Varga; 15. Nick Richardson.
Referee: Andrew Lees
MANLY (10th) V EASTWOOD (5th) at Manly Oval (3:00pm)
The positions on the table say Eastwood should have the edge in this clash however a big crowd is expected at Manly Oval to see if George Smith can inspire the Marlins to just their fourth win of the season.
Manly go into the match with victories in three of their past four matches, however with their wins coming against sides ranked 8th, 9th and 11th, they will need to start defeating the top-ranked teams to move up the ladder.
Eastwood see the return of Brumbies Josh Holmes and Rowan Kellam, and while a win will not move them up the ladder it could establish a gap to those on the edge of the top six.
Manly: 1. Reuben Bijl, 2. Elvis Taione, 3. James Lakepa; 4. Dylan Sigg, 5. Sean Maloney [c]; 6. Daniel Collins, 7. Will Brame, 8. George Smith; 9. Paddy Pearce, 10. Josh Gamgee; 11. Stephen Scoles, 12. Jarrod Murphy, 13. Luke Johnson, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D'Arcy.
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Marty Wilson, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Seva Rokobaro, 7. Hugh Perrett [c], 8. Josh Dunning; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Barney Wood; 11. Filipo Toala, 12. Tim Corcoran, 13. Rowan Kellam, 14. Jesse Leota; 15. Ben Batger.
Referee: Grant MacNeill
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (12th) V WARRINGAH (7th) at Forshaw Park (3:00pm)
Southern Districts have a tough task ahead of them at home this weekend as they take on a side desperate to regain their position in the top six, but they will do it with some extra firepower.
While the Rebels are without Dan Palmer (Australia U20) and Rob Horne (Waratahs), they see the return of Brumbies props Nic Henderson and Guy Shepherdson which will give them some real go forward up front.
Warringah go into this match desperate for victory after being overrun in the second half by Sydney University last weekend, however with Sam Harris and Mark Gerrard missing, their task has been made more difficult.
Southern Districts: 1. Nic Henderson, 2. James McCormack [c], 3. Guy Shepherdson; 4. Matt Trouville, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. Grant Trouville; 9. Tim Small, 10. Michael Black; 11. Dennis Pili, 12. Ben Tickle, 13. Jackson Mullane, 14. Marc Leadbeater; 15. Hiroyuki Sakamoto.
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. David Mason, 3. Pingi Talaapitaga; 4. Scott Flint, 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. Dan Baxter; 15. Michael Letts.
Referee: Nathan Pearce
PLAYERS AVAILABLE FOR TOOHEYS NEW SHUTE SHIELD ROUND 10
HSBC Waratahs (4): Ben Batger (Eastwood), Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University), Sekope Kepu (Randwick), Josh Valentine (Randwick).
HSBC Junior Waratahs Professional (4): Dan Kelly (Sydney University), Andrew Smith (Northern Suburbs), Chris Thomson (Northern Suburbs), Laurie Weeks (Sydney University).
PLAYERS UNAVAILABLE FOR TOOHEYS NEW SHUTE SHIELD ROUND 10
HSBC Waratahs (excluding touring squad): Dave Dennis (Sydney University, knee), Ben Jacobs (Warringah, knee), Alfi Mafi (Sydney University, knee), Ben Mowen (Randwick, ankle).
HSBC Junior Waratahs Professional: Adam Byrnes (Eastern Suburbs, knee), Ben Coridas (Eastwood, AUS U20), Dan Palmer (Southern Districts, AUS U20), Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University, Waratahs 25th Man).