By MARK CASHMAN

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.

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN / GORDON RUGBY