All The News

Warringah’s Super 14 stars will be looking to cause an upset when they travel to Chatswood Oval to meet Gordon in Round 14 of the Shute Shield.

Other highlights of round 14 include the showdown between Wallaby flatmates Wycliff Palu and Tatafu Polota-Nau at Manly when the Marlins meet Parramatta, and West Harbour desperate to arrest a slide down the table when they meet Sydney University who welcome back Phil Waugh and Daniel Halangahu.

GORDON (3rd) V WARRINGAH (6th)
(Chatswood Oval - 15.10)

Warringah clawed their way back into the top six last weekend but will have their work cut out to remain there when they meet Gordon at Chatswood Oval.

From rounds six to ten the Highlanders won just one game in a five-match stretch, however they have turned that around with three straight victories to sit comfortably in third place on the ladder.

Gordon’s steadfast second half defence last week against West Harbour – widely regarded as one of the most potent attacking teams in the competition – was a strong sign, and they will need to keep that up against a Rats backline which includes four Super 14 players.

Warringah are still in a logjam at the bottom of the top six, however recording the bonus point in last week’s loss against Randwick edged them ahead of Eastwood and West Harbour.

Gordon: 15. Dave Harvey, 14. Dane Haylett-Petty; 13. Matt McDougall,12. Mark Preston,  11. Terry Preston, 10. Josh Kiel;9. Vinnie Byrne, 8. Chris Alcock;   7. Craig Thomas, 6. Paulie Tuala, 5. Kingsley Seale; 4. Ed Gower (captain), 3. Marty Plokstys; 2. Alex Gluth, 1.Tobius Gukibau

Warringah: 15. Pat McCabe.14. Dylan Smouha; 13. Haig Sare,  12. Josh Holmes, 11. Jordon Macey,10. John Kennedy; 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Trevor Richardson; 7. Beau Robinson (captain), 6. Brent Murphy, 5. Chris Thomson; 4. Hugh Pyle, 3. Pingi Talaapitaga;2. Luke Holmes, 1. Pek Cowan, 

Referee: Steve Hardy

MANLY (1st) V PARRAMATTA (11th)
(Manly Oval 15.00)

Manly will go into their clash with Parramatta as hot favourites as they look to stay out in front on the Shute Shield ladder.

The Marlins kept the Two Blues scoreless in their round three meeting, with Adam D’Arcy scoring a hat-trick on the way to a 23-point haul.

While Wycliff Palu will play his second match for the Marlins in the comeback from a hand injury, his flatmate Tatafu Polota-Nau is also expected to make an appearance at Manly Oval as a proud Two Blue.

Manly: 15. Adam D’Arcy.14. Leon Bott;  13. Tyrone Smith, 12. Luke Johnson, 11. Lui Siale, 10. Josh Gamgee; 9. Paddy Pearse,  8. Wycliff Palu; 7. Will Brame, 6. Mark Fisher, 5. Dylan Sigg;4. Daniel Collins,  3. James Lakepa;  2. Elvis Taione, 1. Eddie Aholelei,
 
Parramatta: 15. Ben Borg.14. Oscar Fraser;  13. Steve Mafi, 12. Areta Lama,11. Junior Kolikata,10. Steve Hales; 9. Aaron Mattin, 8. Winney Paulo; 7. Jeremy Bird, 6. Andrew Cox (captain), 5. Ryan Aniseko;  4. Sam Evalu, 3. Matt Borg;2. Scott Podmore, 1. Lui Sakaria,

Referee: Daniel Cheever

EASTWOOD (7th) V PENRITH (12th)
(T.G. Millner Field 15.00)

Eastwood have lost three matches on the trot but are poised to turn that around when they host Penrith at T.G. Millner Field.

The Woodies run of outs has not been too costly however, and they remain just one point behind sixth-placed Warringah, and this week have named a line-up without international prop Matt Dunning or Brumby lock Ben Hand.

The Emus have showed promise at times this season, however their attack has hit a brick wall in recent weeks with just 15 points from their last three matches.

Eastwood: 15. Ben Batger.14. John Grant; 13. Tim Bennetts, 12. Rowan Kellam, 11. Lachie Turner, 10. James Foote; 9. Chris O’Young, 8. Locky McCaffrey;  7. Hugh Perrett (captain), 6. Ben Coridas,5. Gareth Palamo;4. Mitch Lees, 3. Barry Fa’amuasili; 2. David Feketi,1. Simon Norris,

Penrith:15. Zeb Filise.14. Solomona Fainifo; 13. Lachlan Porteous, 12. Luke Cross, 11. Nua Alone, 10. Patrick Mekuri;  9. Jeremy Su’a,  8. Joey Afualo;7. Rob Carlson (captain), 6. Michael Paulo, 5. Mosese Makasini;  4. Liam Winton,  3. Nick Barber;2. Myles Hunkin,1. Dave Coventry,
 
Referee: Andrew Lees

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (2nd) V WEST HARBOUR (8th)
(University Oval No.1 - 15.00)

Phil Waugh returns to the  Shute Shield as part of a strong Sydney University line-up set to take on West Harbour at University Oval No.1.

Waugh joins fellow Waratahs Dave Dennis, Daniel Halangahu and Tom Carter in the side which also includes Brumbies Alfi Mafi and Jerry Yanuyanutawa.

Halangahu was rested in round 12 which gave Dan Kelly a chance to impress, and while the NSW No.10 returns this week, Kelly maintains his place in the side with Carter moving to outside centre.

The Pirates have lost three matches in a row to slip to eighth position on the ladder, and an upset over the defending champions would be the perfect way to turn their season around.

Sydney University: 15. Nathan Trist. 14. Alfi Mafi; 13. Tom Carter,12. Dan Kelly, 11. Nick Edwards,  10. Daniel Halangahu; 9. Scott Stumbles, 8. David Haigh, 7. Phil Waugh,  6. Pat McCutcheon, 5. Ben McCalman;4. Dave Dennis (captain), 3. Pat Ryan; 2. Ben Roberts, 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa,

West Harbour: 15. Dave Paurini. 14. John Sinisa; 13. Henry Seavula,12. Metui Maile,  11. Tito Mua, 10. Jai Ayoub;9. Steve Massey, 8. Pelea Afu;  7. Mark Porpiglia,  6. Isaiah Pine (captain),5. Andrew Clyne; 4. Tom Hikila, 3. Salesi Ma’afu; 2. Todd Pearce,1.Campese Ma’afu,

Referee: Nathan Pearce

RANDWICK (4th) V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (10th)
(Coogee Oval - 15.00)

Randwick’s season is heading in the right direction but they are expected to receive a tough hit-out when they host Southern Districts at Coogee Oval.

The Rebels were impressive in their 21-point victory over Northern Suburbs last weekend, and with one of the strongest forward packs in the competition will back themselves against a Randwick side on the up.

The Galloping Greens have won four matches in a row, and with Marshall Milroy averaging more than 12 points a game, Randwick should have no trouble keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

A highlight will be Waratahs props Sekope Kepu and Dan Palmer going head to head at scrum-time.

Randwick: 15. Marshall Milroy, 14. Francis Fainifo; 13. Bernie Orbell, 12. Shaun Foley; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10. Tim Walsh; 9. Patrick Phibbs, 8. Stephen Hoiles, 7. Rodney Voullaire; 6. Ben Mowen, 5. Tim Maxwell;4. Steven Brennan, 3. Daniel Spencer; 2. Atonio Halangahu (captain),1. Sekope Kepu

Southern Districts: 15. Matt Raftrey, 14. Jackson Mullane; 13. Chris Kerr, 12. Brackin Henry,  11. Andrew Barrett, 10. Zac Mullane;; 9. Nathan Sievert, 8. Andrew Maloney, 7. Tim McGann; 6. Jono Hayes, 5. Kane Douglas; 4. Matt Trouville, 3. Dan Palmer, 2. John Ulugia, 1. Nic Henderson

Referee: Angus Gardner

EASTERN SUBURBS (5th) V NORTHERN SUBURBS (9th)
(Woollahra Oval - 15.00)

Eastern Suburbs’ 18-point win over Eastwood in round 12 established their position in the top six, however they will not be taking their clash with ninth-placed Norths lightly.

The Shoremen overcame the then-second placed Beasties by 13 points in round three, and while their form has been inconsistent since, they still have the ability to take down a higher-ranked opponent.

Tom Azar returns for the Beasties this week, adding more talent to the backline battle which on paper looks enticing through the three-quarter line.

Eastern Suburbs:15. Pat Dellit, 14. Joe Azar; 13. Anton LaVin, 12. Tom Azar, 11. Gavin Debartolo, 10. Ben Ward; 9. Luke Irwin , 8. Tom Egan (captain), 7. Fergus Dorney; 6. Ed Brenac, 5. Lee Morley; 4. Matt McGann, 3. Rob McMickan, 2. Huia Edmonds, 1. Mike Ross

Northern Suburbs: 15. Corey Brown, 14. Anthony Shortis; 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Chris Moore, 11. Nathan Powyer, 10. Chris Burnett; 9. Steve Evans (captain), 8. Al McFarland, 7. Sam Latunipulu; 6. Matt Lamont, 5. Pat Maile; 4. Brian Doyle, 3. Tai Vea, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 1. Nick Lah

Referee: Steve Walsh

Representative players featured this round

Waratahs: Ben Batger (Eastwood), Dave Dennis (Sydney University), Phil Waugh (Sydney University), Sekope Kepu (Randwick), Ratu Nasiganiyavi (Randwick), Ben Mowen (Randwick), Chris Thomson (Warringah), Beau Robinson (Warringah), Josh Holmes (Warringah), Dan Palmer (Southern Districts), Wycliff Palu (Manly), Lachie Turner (Eastwood)

Junior Waratahs (Professional): Ben Coridas (Eastwood), Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University), Steve Mafi (Parramatta), Jeremy Su’a (Penrith), Kane Douglas (Southern Districts).

Brumbies: Jerry Yanuyanutawa (Sydney University), Alfi Mafi (Sydney University), Tyrone Smith (Manly), Huia Edmonds (Eastern Suburbs), Stephen Hoiles (Randwick), Patrick Phibbs (Randwick), Salesi Ma’afu (West Harbour), Nic Henderson (Southern Districts), Guy Shepherdson (Southern Districts, reserve), John Ulugia (Southern Districts), Pat McCabe (Warringah)

Western Force: Chris O’Young (Eastwood), Luke Holmes (Warringah), Brett Sheehan (Warringah), Haig Sare (Warringah), Dane Haylett-Petty (Gordon), Pek Cowan (Warringah)

Australian Sevens (2008/09): Dane Haylett-Petty (Gordon), Ben McCalman (Sydney University), Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University), Ben Mowen (Randwick), Tim Walsh (Randwick), Shaun Foley (Randwick), Francis Fainifo (Randwick), Ben Coridas (Eastwood)

Australian Under 20s: Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), Sam Latunipulu (Northern Suburbs), Corey Brown (Northern Suburbs), Dane Haylett-Petty (Gordon)