By MARK CASHMAN

Gordon will welcome back Reece MacDonald to the starting flyhalf role when the Highlanders take on Warringah in the Round Eight Shute Shield match of the round against Warringah at Chatswood Oval on Saturday, broadcast live on Stan Sport.

MacDonald has been sidelined with a hand injury injury since Round Four and since then Highlanders coach Brian Melrose has tried a number of options in the starting No.10 jersey including Ben Pollack and Nav Lokotui.

He was rested against Randwick and played some time off the bench against West Harbour last weekend and Melrose feels that it is time for him to steer the side around the field.

Melrose has also tweaked with elements of his pack, moving Ola Tauelangi into lock starting James Lough in what will be a very robust backrow.

At Warringah Rory O’Conor returns to the Rats front row along with Sateki Latu who gets a chance following. A pectoral injury to Sam Needs.

Rats coach Mike Ruthven has also maintained the Charlie McKill, Rory Suttor and Max Girdler backrow who played against Sydney Uni last weekend.

Hugh Margin gets the chance to go “bro on bro” after being named in the second row and he will relish the chance to go head to head with elder sibling Jack.

The other significant return from injury for the Rats is Harry Anderson-Brown who has been named at scrum half after a number of weeks sidelined with a quad strain.

The biggest selection surprise of Round Eight which will streamed live and free on Stan Sport is the move by Southern Districts Todd Louden to name Sam Tabuatamata in his backrow.

Tabuatamata has been playing on the wing in recent weeks but will start at openside this weekend against Randwick.

There is also a whisper that another big overseas star could be used off the bench against the Wicks at Coogee Oval.

At Northern Suburbs coach Zak Beer has stuck with the combination that started against the WS Two Blues last weekend for the game against Manly.

Winger Harry Cudmore has retained his place on the left edge after scoring four tries in his top grade debut last Saturday.

The continued absence of Angus Sinclair with a quad injury means that Max Burey will once again play in the No.10 jersey and Reece Mau’u gets another go at outside centre.

Mau’u may well have a longer stint in the No.13 jersey with the news that form centre Nathan Russell has undergone surgery for an ankle and foot issue.

Norths are unsure when he will be back on the field but at best it is looking like around the time of the Shute Shield playoffs.

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON

Catch every minute of this weekend’s Shute Shield action live and on demand on Stan Sport!