By MARK CASHMAN

The big northern beaches derby between Manly and Warringah heads up the offerings in Round Eight of the Shute Shield competition on Saturday.

The Rats v Marlins derby is the 7TWO TV match of the round on Saturday but another one, the western Sydney showdown between the Two Blues and Penrith at Lidcombe Oval, will be streamed live from 5pm by Cluch TV.

Numerous other games had the makings of a TV game with Randwick taking on Gordon at Coogee and Northern Suburbs up against Eastwood at Pittwater Rugby Park.

The other games on Saturday are Sydney Uni v West Harbour and at Forshaw Rugby Park Southern Districts take on Eastern Suburbs.

Here’s what all the coaches think of the games:

MANLY V WARRINGAH at Manly Oval

In Harley we trust – that’s the attitude of Manly coach Matt McGoldrick as he gets ready to throw himself once again into the great northern beaches derby against Warringah on Saturday.

The Marlins haven’t won a derby game against the Rats since May of 2018 and the feeling at the Village Green has an “It’s Time” vibe about it.

I’m not sure if we could say it’s Gough Whitlam and the 1972 Federal election all over again, but as they say in rugby the longer you go the closer you are to a breakthrough.

McGoldrick has been impressed with the way that his mid season recruit Harley Attwater has handled the way that he has come to the Marlins.

“Doesn’t matter who he’s playing, he’s keen to do well,” McGoldrick told the Northern Beaches Sports Tribune this week.

“He’ll be as keen and motivated this week as he was at Penrith, or against Gordon, or Wests.”

Attwater is one of 11 former Manly Colts in the Marlins team for Saturday’s game, a big tick for the club’s development processes.

“Most of the guys he played Colts with are in the team, so it’s been great for them to see him back and have him around,” McGoldrick added.

“He’s been very good for our club. He’s just a very good footballer: tough, super-competitive.

“And he’s a champion bloke. I really like him. I liked him when he was here before.

“I even liked him when he was up the road!”

Up the road Rats coach Mike Ruthven believes form will go out the window on Saturday.

“The group are really looking forward to the derby so it should be another great battle,” he said.

“Not much changes for us in terms of how we approach this game. 

“I am confident we have more footy in us than they do so we will be looking to be up tempo and positive with the ball.”

What Ruthven is talking about is the impact of guys like Seb Wileman and fullback Ben Marr who I reckon is the most impactful player in the Shute Shield at the moment.

Marr was great in the first 20 minutes against Southern Districts but will need to not let himself drift out of the game like last weekend against the Rebels.

The Marlins will come at the Rats at scrum time and they will try to unsettle their line out as well.

But with Boyd Killingworth, Maclean Jones and Charlie McKill all working off the bench the visitors should get a kick up in momentum some time in the second half.

“We will be looking for a real shift in momentum when those guys come into the game,” Ruthven added.

Whether that will be enough is yet to be determined. Ah the uncertainty of sport! 

MANLY MARLINS (1-15):

Alefosio Tatola, James Hilterbrand, Conor Davidson, Van Stewart, Alex Dalzell, Harry Bergelin, Mitch Tye, Daniel Alley, Harry Emery, Harley Attwater, Fraser Toohey, James Parker, Michael Adams, Yool Yool, Jed Ibbotson.

WARRINGAH (1-15):

Sateki Latu, Wes Thomas, Wayne Borsak, Andrew Davies, Alex O’Dell, Rory Suttor, Mungo Mason, Sam Ward (c), Josh Holmes, Tom Halse, Charlie Tupu, Tyson Davis, Seb Wileman (vc), Ezera Chee-Kam, Ben Marr.

LAST TIME: Warringah W 28-23, July 20, 2019

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES V PENRITH at Lidcombe Oval

Western Sydney Two Blues coach Joel Rivers believes the team that “keeps its cool” will emerge from the big western Sydney derby with bragging rights and importantly first competition points of the year.

“Look there’s history between the two clubs and there’s not a lot of love between the two playing groups,” Rivers said.

“The team that is able to rise above that get square mentality that sometimes emerges in games like this and concentrates on executing a game plan is the one that is going to finish ahead on the day.

“That has been the thrust of what we have been talking about this week and I reckon my guys are up to the challenge.

“It’s going to be one of those games that is not decided until very later in the day. The team that scores first isn’t necessarily the one that is going to finish with the points.”

The Two Blues have been coping with a range of injury issues in the past couple of weeks but have been lucky to welcome back Sione Fifita and Riley Jacobsen to the back row.

Rivers has been impressed with the work that Fifita has been able to do this season and says that he is a player capable of making an impact further up the playing pathway.

“Sione’s just one of those intelligent players who knows what he has to do and gets out there and does it,” Rivers added.

“We have also missed Riley in recent weeks and he will add much to our game.”

Against Norths the Two Blues were very much in the game fell off the pace in the 10 minutes before and after halftime.

First up on the list or work ones for Penrith this week would have been their scrum.

The game against Manly at Nepean Rugby Park last Saturday began and finished with the first set piece of the day with the Emus constantly on the back peddle.

That saw the scoreline blow out a bit but the boys from the foot of the mountains are resilient.

Coach John Muggleton said the return of Sevanaia Nadruku in the second row would shore up the Emus scrum.

“We were missing our two starting locks last weekend against Manly and that was the major reason why we got shoved around a fair bit,” Muggleton said.

“But Nadruku is back and he should be able to stabilise the right hand side of the scrum for us which will go a long way to keeping us ion this game.

“I reckon it’s going to be an open game as the Two Blues like to run it and have a big off loading game.

“That means that our defence needs to be spot on and we have to use the ball we get atom those situations well.”

Muggleton added that Dean Blore continues to develop his game and that Jeremiah Fa’amasili will be players that the Two Blues will have to watch closely.

“It’s always a hard day at the office at Lidcombe Oval,” Muggleton added.

“I can’t remember going there and coming away with a win from my days playing rugby league with the Eels.

“But looking forward to it all the same.”

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES (1-15):

Jacob Delailoa, Nick Blacklock, Kalafi Pongi (c), Tuitakau Kioa, Vea Tevita, Sione Fifita, Riley Jacobson, Peni Tuitupou, Liam Tully, Rory Garrett, Niko Dalivusa, Phillip Pale, Zac Campton, Jordan Williams, Jayden Stokes.

PENRITH (1-15):

David Tifa, Delahoya Manu, John Pene, Timoci Wasarua, Sevanaia Nadruku, Mathew Faoagali, John Tuivaiti, Sosifa Funaki, Terry Fanolua, Dean Blore, Jeremiah Fa’amasili, Luke Nadurutalo, Riley Alcorn, Jale Seninawanawa, Masi Fidow.

LAST TIME: not applicable.

RANDWICK V GORDON at Coogee Oval

Randwick coach Ben McCormack didn’t muck around when asked if the “lines of communication” with Gordon coach Darren Coleman had been their normal robust selves this week.

McCormack and Coleman are great mates from their special time together at Warringah in 2017, a time that saw them somehow negotiate the sudden death of Lachie Ward and snare a much-storied premiership. 

The pair chat regularly about a range of topics, mostly around rugby, and have a WhatsApp group that mentors a range of up and coming coaches, all in the Shute Shield.

Coaching can be a very solitary occasion at times and it’s just nice to know that the problems faced are not unique to one coach, one player or one club.

“Not mates in game week. No chat,” McCormack shot back as he readied his side to take on the Highlanders on Saturday.

“We’re intent on putting in a better performance than we showed against Eastwood last weekend and we’re preparing accordingly. It’s been a decent week of training so far. 

“Gordon present a much different defensive challenge than a lot of the other teams in the competition it must be said.

“They rely heavily on set piece and have a good midfield maul platform they like to launch off to bring their best players like Mahe Vailanu, the Harrison brother and Rodney Iona into the game.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The Highlanders had a tough old time against West Harbour last weekend winning 24-12 but losing Jaline Graham for the season with a broken jaw.

“Every team gets them and I suppose it’s our turn,” Coleman said of the injuries that his side were managing at the moment. 

“But you also need adversity to grow as a group and I’m looking forward to seeing what the new players will bring.”

Coleman said the key to the winning of the game will be to survive the down times without sustaining too much collateral damage.

“The Wicks defend tough and attack from anywhere and to my way of thinking that’s a good recipe. Their turnover attack is lethal. 

“Flyhalf Dave Horwitz is an experienced professional who has a won a Catchpole Medal. I saw a few chinks appear last week for the first time this season for him so it will be interesting to see how he bounces back. 

“They’ll get momentum at some stage through the game and inflict some cuts. The trick will be not to bleed too much.”

RANDWICK (1-15):

Jake Turnbull, Dave Vea, Fui Gibson, Nathan Den Hoedt, Tom Nowlan, Tom Piroddi, Joe Feltis, Kyle Harris, Tyzac Jordan, Dave Horwitz, Brooklyn Hardaker, Kristian Jensen, Simon Kennewell, Dylan Pietsch, Triston Reilly.

GORDON (1-15): 

Brandon Faavae-Eli, Mahe Vailanu, Rhys Brodie, Jack Margin, Ola Tauelangi, Tom Silk, Jordy Goddard (c), Harrison Goddard, Rod Iona, Ahmu Tuimalealifano, Tautalatasi Tasi, Lucas Price, Brandon Quinn, Ellis Abrahams.

LAST TIME: Gordon W 19-17, June 15, 2019.

NORTHERN SUBURBS V EASTWOOD at Pittwater Rugby Park

Eastwood coach Ben Batger says his team will have to stop leaking points if they are to be considered a leading team in the race for the 2020 Shute Shield competition.

The Woods conceded seven tries in their 43-41 win over Randwick at Coogee Oval last weekend and although happy overall with the result, Batger wants his side to change “pretty good”efforts to something better.

Batger hopes that starts against Northern Suburbs on Saturday in a game that will have a telling effect on the way that the competition ladder looks on Sunday morning. 

“The feeling in the team is good, we have put in two pretty good performances in a row against good teams but we are looking to get rid of the word “pretty” and replace it with a good performance,” Batger mulled

“Norths will present us with a good challenge and play a very structured game of football.

“But they have lots of options on how they play off their structure so we will need be “on” for the full 80 minutes. 

“The big focus for us this week has been defence because we are still leaking too many points – defence is about attitude and trust and we are looking to improve there and develop into a good defensive side.”

Norths continue their season on the road and they have been tagged as the Norths Nomads in all the club correspondence this week.

The unavailability of North Sydney No.1 Oval this year means that the Shoremen have played two of their home games at Bon Andrews Oval (the old No.2 Oval) and taken one game Camden.

The rest of Norths home games will be played at Pittwater Rugby Park, meaning that they will play four of the final five games on the northern beaches.

Norths coach Earl Va’a has doubts about the approach that Eastwood will bring to the game.

“They are going to attack us at set piece time,” Va’a said.

“So it’s up to us to nail our roles and make our tackles and see where that leaves us.

“They have a good scrum, an efficient line out, some big ball carriers in the middle of the field and  have size and strength out wide.

“It’s going to be a good challenge for us.”

Norths No.10 Angus Sinclair managed the game against the Two Blues well and Va’a will be looking for more of the same against the Woods.

“He’s adding stuff to his game each week and importantly is showing some real leadership to the boys out on the field,” Va’a said.

No.8 George Murrin passed a fitness test on Thursday night and will start meaning that Pat Tafa will come off the bench.

Cam Clark, who played 80 minutes against the Two Blues in Camden, has been pulled back into the Waratahs bubble and will not feature.

The versatile Connor Winchester gets his chance on the wing with Kepu Lokotui dropping back to the bench.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15): 

German Haeffeli, Gary Bautz, Dewald Dekker, Dave Henaway, Declan Carroll, Brad Hemopo, Heinrich Brendel, George Murrin, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Connor Winchester, Max Burey.

EASTWOOD (1-15):

Willie Leoso, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Sione Tau, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Tim Simona, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stoltz, Fabian Goodall, Chris Bell.

LAST TIME: Northern Suburbs W 44-14, April 19, 2019

SYDNEY UNI V WEST HARBOUR at Uni No.2 Oval

West Harbour have been quietly going about their business bullying other side with their scrum and they plan to confront Sydney Uni with just that on Saturday.

The scrum, headed up by Sonny Satuala, Tonga Tangitau and Cameron Betham, was the key to their sole victory of the year against Manly a fortnight ago and they plan to take the Students on up front in an attempt to keep the ball off them.

Gordon coach Darren Coleman even said that the Pirates set piece was the reason that the Highlanders flowing and points filled game wasn’t able to operate at full tilt last weekend.

The Wests front row crew are big boys and it takes some weeks for them to come into any sort of match fitness and the benefit of that has been showing in recent weeks.

Wests coach Mark Gudmunson expects Uni to come at them from all parts of the park.

“We just need to keep the ball and work hard when we have it to recycle it,” Gudmunson said.

 “They will play a game of kicking to us as much as possible and try and play off our mistakes – they probably think that we have a few in us, which you can understand. 

“Our scrum has been good all year and I think they will be surprised when we pack the first one of the day. 

“Uni have shown signs of weakness against a few teams this year, so we have a bit we can go at we think. 

“That said it is always hard against these guys but I reckon that we are up for it.”

Uni coach Michael Hodge said last weekend’s bye had come at just the right time for his side.

“We’re certainly feeling refreshed and I must say that the bye came at a good time for us,” he said.

They will though be missing points scoring win get James Kane and the aggressive backrower Nick Champion de Crespigny two both didn’t come through fitness tests on Thursday night.

Some handy “fill ins” though in the national sevens squad player Angus Bell on the wing and the experienced Jack McCalman in the backrow.

“Those guys not being there with us is unfortunate but we will still be looking to build on our momentum from the Eastwood win,” Hodge added.

“West Harbour are a quality side and we certainly won’t be taking them lightly. They’ve got a big, heavy pack and lots of elusive, game breakers in the backline. 

“Our defence and set piece accuracy will be key. It should be a great contest!”

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):

Thomas Osborne, Patrick O’Doherty, Darcy Breen, Luke Porter, Ratu Rotuisolia, Jack McCalman, Hamish Dunbar, Rohan O’Regan, Banjo Travers, Connor O’Shea, Angus Bell, Ben Hughes, Henry Clunies-Ross, James Armstrong, Tim Clements.

WEST HARBOUR (1-15): 

Sonny Satuala, Tonga Tangitau, Cameron Betham, Etienne Oosthuizen, Jordan Sharp, Damien Flemming, Kaliova Nacina, Francis Iremia Saufio, Dion Spice, Patrick Pellegrini, James Turner, Tavite Gadeisuva, Connor Chittenden, Justin Tuvae, Josh Petero.

LAST TIME: Sydney Uni W 53-6, August 3, 2019

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS V EASTERN SUBURBS at Forshaw Rugby Park

Southern Districts coach Todd Louden must cringe every time he sees the number of his club doctor coming up on his mobile.

It generally means bad news and the loss of another vital part of his plans for the Rebels’ 2020 season.

This week the news centred around backrower Harry McLennan who went in for a neck operation only to be told that he would play footy again.

That means that as we enter into Round Eight, Louden has lost four of his starting pack to season, and in the case of McLennan, career ending injuries. 

And as the ready themselves to take on Eastern Suburbs on Saturday the bizarre game of musical chairs continues at Forshaw.

Joe Cotton has been pulled back into the Waratahs Super Rugby AU bubble which means that Andrew Tuala moves to hooker with Lawrence Tominiko starting at loose head.

Phil Potgeiter moves into lock with Nick Brown, Sama Malolo and Rory Lynch, who will be making his run on debut, make up the home side’s back row.

“It’s a big game for both teams,” Louden said.

“Easts need to keep on winning to close the gap to the top six while we need to do the same to hang on to the spot that we have on the competition ladder.

“That said there are six teams that have not had their bye so far and the nature of the ladder has some twists and turns to negotiate before we come up with the teams that will play finals this year.

“Playing at Forshaw is great for us although it wasn’t great when we hosted Randwick a fortnight ago but it’s exactly what a home ground should be – difficult to play at for visiting teams.”

Souths win over Warringah last weekend at Rat Park had to be seen to be believed and Loiuden said the playing group got a huge boost out of it.

Eastern Suburbs negotiated a difficult road trip to Newcastle last weekend coming away with 31-21 

Easts coach Pauli Taumoepeau is wary of his opposition on Saturday.

“They’re a team playing with some confidence and their wins against Uni and the Rats would give them belief they can handle any situation,” Taumoepeau said.

 “We’ve thrown out the old “80 minute performance” cliche a few times now but when you talk about Souths it is entirely appropriate. 

“They attack with plenty of options and have some heavy ball carriers to compliment the movement they get from their backs.”

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):

Lawrence Tominiko, Andrew Tuala, Tim Metcher, Phil Potgeiter, Jake Douglas, Nick Brown, Rory Lynch, Sama Malolo, Sam Harris, Liam Moseley, Christian Kagiassis, Viliami Latu, Nathan Lawson, Daniel Bell, Brandon Finnegan.

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):

Faaleliei Sione, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Archer Holz, Jack Digby, Jeremy Williams, Dean Oakman-Hunt, James Donato, Sam Shires, Jack Grant (c), Cohan Guerra/Nick Holton, Richie Woolf, Mésese Tuipulotu, Henry Paterson, Sam Fogarty, Daniel Donato.

LAST TIME: Eastern Suburbs W 34-26, June 15, 2019.

HUNTER WILDFIRES have the bye

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON