Sydney University have called in the big guns in the hopes that they can set fire to Eastwood for this weekend's ABC TV match of the round against the reigning Shute Shield premiers.
Wallabies' newcomer and HSBC Waratah flanker Dave Dennis is among the nine FxPro Super Rugby players that will line up for Sydney University in the hopes to avenge their loss in the 2011 Grand Final and their round 10 clash this season.
Eastwood go into the match with the bragging rights, claiming a psychological 32-29 point victory against the Sydney University in round 10, which saw the Students leave their spectacular run in the second half too late, as HSBC Waratah and Eastwood winger Lachie Turner secured a late try which proved the difference in the match.
Sydney University are coming off a tough loss against Manly last weekend, however the side will be bolstered with eight FxPro Super Rugby players announced in the starting line up.
"Our performance on the weekend was disappointing and the team is really stinging from the loss and our performance on the weekend," said Todd Louden, SUFC Head Coach.
"The team will work hard on our combinations this week, which has been difficult with the player movement within the team."
One of those movements includes the loss of captain and halfback Matt Schwager who suffered an injury last weekend and had to be supported off the field.
The Students can breath a sigh of relief however as Melbourne Rebels halfback Nic Stirzaker comes into the side and will play a crucial role in the teams' quest to seek redemption over the round 10 loss, and the 2011 Shute Shield Grand Final.
Other round 15A matches will see Eastern Suburbs take on Sothern Districts at Woollahra Oval. Last time the two sides met in round 10 it was the Rebels who came out victorious in a one point thriller at Forshaw Rugby Park, with winger Ben Connolly standing out in the victory. It will be no different this weekend and both sides look to grab a win to start their lead into the finals series that starts on August 25th and finishes with the Grand Final on September 15th.
As usual, you can catch all the Shute Shield action on ABC 1 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 viewing rugby in 2012, 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, all for free. A big plus for club rugby fans, the Club Rugby TV service is now FREE and its flexibility supports viewing on computer, Iphone, Ipad and IPTV, all in full HD.
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. You can also catch highlights of every round on the new ShuteShieldTV channel on YouTube
You can catch up on all the Shute Shield action via digital radio with ABC Grandstands new rugby show The Clubhouse. Hosted by Patrick Foulkes and Niav Owens the program will be on-air for half an hour every Monday evening from 6:05pm. To tune in go to http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport and click "listen live" or download the show on the blog any time at http://blogs.abc.net.au/grandstand/2012/05/the-clubhouse-abc-grandstands-monday-club-rugby-show.html
(Brackets indicate position on Shute Shield ladder)
EASTWOOD v SYDNEY UNIVERISTY at T.G. Millner Field (ABC TV game, 3pm)
Eastwood make only two changes to their side that defeated Southern Districts in round 14 with wingers Nick Reily and Mark Frost returning to the first grade side.
Sydney University make seven changes to the side that was beaten by Manly last weekend with a number of FxPro Super Rugby representatives returning for Uni including HSBC Waratahs Dave Dennis and Nathan Trist. Melbourne Rebels halfback Nic Strirzaker replaces the injured captain Matt Schwager while Rebels centre Mitch Inman grabs his first start for Uni in 2012 after impressing off the bench last weekend. Prop Aldy King and flanker David Hickey return to the first grade side, while Western Force flanker Ben McCalman makes his first appearance for the Students in 2012.
Eastwood: 1. Marty Plokstys, 2. Chris Hill, 3. Barry Fa'amausili; 4. Tom Alexander, 5. Mitch Lees; 6. Gareth Palamo, 7. Miles McCaffrey, 8. Hugh Perrett [c]; 9. Mick Snowden, 10. Barney Wood; 11. Nick Reily, 12. Jimmy Hilgendorf, 13. Michael McDougall, 14. Mark Frost; 15. Ben Batger.
Sydney University: 1. Aldy King, 2. James Riches, 3. Jeremy Tilse; 4. Liam Winton, 5. Ben McCalman; 6. Dave Dennis, 7. David Hickey, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nic Stirzaker, 10. Daniel Kelly; 11. Michael Hodge, 12. Tom Carter, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Tom Kingston; 15. Nathan Trist.
EASTERN SUBURBS v SOUTHERN DISTRICTS at Woollahra Oval (3pm)
Eastern Suburbs make only one change to the side that lost to Northern Suburbs last round with fullback Charlie Clifton returning to the first grade side. Southern Districts make only two changes to the side that lost to Eastwood last rounf with flanker Sam Latunipulu and centre Lestern Salanoa returning to the first grade side.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Ofa Fainga'anuku, 2. Heath Tessmann, 3. Rob McMickan; 4. Will Crutchley, 5. Pat O'Connor; 6. Richard Stanford, 7. Nathan Paila, 8. Pauliasi Taumoepeau[c]; 9. Brendan McKibbin, 10. Angus Sinclair; 11. Elijah Niko, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton Lavin, 14. Charlie Clifton; 15. Apakuki Maafu.
Southern Districts: 1. Marcus Heather, 2. John Ulugia [c], 3. Tim Metcher; 4. Jed Holloway, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Sam Latunipulu, 7. Jono Hayes, 8. Lopeti Timani; 9. Grayson Hart, 10. Rohan Saifolio; 11. Ben Connolly, 12. Lester Salanoa, 13. Apo Latunipulu, 14. Atieli Pakalani; 15. Ben Volalvola.