By MARK CASHMAN

Another bumper weekend of Shute Shield action this weekend with the game between Manly and Northern Suburbs the TV game on 7TWO.

But further up the peninsula the Warringah v Eastern Suburbs is vital for a number of reasons not the least being the Rats’ search for win number for 2020. It’s been close but no cigars yet!

Elsewhere Sydney Uni travel to Newcastle to take on the Hunter Wildfires, Penrith have their first home game in close to three years when they host Southern Districts while Eastwood play West Harbour at TG Millner Field.

Then finally there’s Western Sydney Two Blues taking on Randwick at Lidcombe. Gordon has the bye.

Here’s our look at all the matches:

MANLY V NORTHERN SUBURBS at Manly Oval (TV Game on 7TWO)

What’s that saying about Rome not being built in a day, well it takes some time for a winning rugby team to find its mojo, to find its identity and that is the case at Manly Oval.

Manly head coach Matt McGoldrick, along with many others, has gone about a bit of a reset at the club and as he prepared his side for the game against Northern Suburbs on Saturday he spoke about the narrow focus adopted by the Marlins in the early weeks of the Shute Shield.

“We’ve just focused heavily on our defence and set piece work,” McGoldrick said.

“That’s the sort of stuff that is going to win you games at the back end of the year and we have looked closely at those two things in the early stages of this season.

“Not to say that attack isn’t important, but that will come and you will win more than you lose if your defence, scrum and lineout are going okay.

“Set piece will be important against Norths but it’s like that every week. We are still a work in progress and we will get better with every game.”

The Marlins went down 13-6 to the defending premiers Sydney Uni last start, failing to make the most of a number of chances right throughout the 80 minutes at Camperdown.

The only change to the Manly side this week is in the back row with Harry Bergelin dropping out after suffering a nasty cut near one of his tear duct.

Genuine depth there though with Kotoni Ale teaming with Max Douglas and Dan Alley.

Northern Suburbs head coach Earl Va’a has plenty of respect for the Marlins and says they will be a major step up for his side after the first fortnight of competition.

“Yeah this one will be a big challenge for us and a major step from Round One and Round Two,” Va’a said.

“We are going to have to be on our toes and be clinical in the early exchanges, finish off what we are trying to do and be disciplined and make sure that we didn’t get offside with the referee.”

Va’a has tweaked his pack bringing Isacc Cavu in at tight head prop for his starting debut and adding some size in the back row with George Murrin at No.8.

Manly were more than competitive at set piece time against Sydney Uni last weekend and if Norths aren’t careful they could be playing without the ball for long stretches of this game.

“The only real hiccup we have had this week has been the weather but we’ll turn up and give it a go,” Va’a added.

This one is the 7TWO match of the round and should be an intriguing encounter.

MANLY MARLINS (1-15):
Alefosio Tatola, James Hilterbrand, Conor Davidson, Van Stewart, Alex Dalzell, Max Douglas, Kotoni Ale, Daniel Alley, Adam Crerar, James Ohmsen, Jack Veitch, Hutana Coffin, Dennis Pili-Gaitau, Yool Yool, Michael Adams.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Jack Brewer, James Margan, Isaac Cavu, Dave Henaway, Nick Palmer (c), Brad Hemopo, Heinrich Brendel, George Murrin, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Kepu Lokotui, Max Burey.

WARRINGAH V EASTERN SUBURBS at Pittwater Rugby Park

The opportunities have been there in the first two weeks but Warringah coach Mike Ruthven believes his side is close to putting it all together as they prepare to take on Eastern Suburbs on Saturday.

The Rats have had what you would call a testing start to the Shute Shield season taking on Sydney Uni and then Randwick, and the suggestions of a contending side have been there – it’s just that it’s not showing on the scoreboard.

Prime example of this was late in the game against Randwick at Coogee when Harley Attwater looked set to score only to have the ball knocked from his grasp over the line.

That saw the Wicks hang on in what was the upset of the competition so far.

“We have had a really productive, positive week and worked hard on our execution and sharpened the detail on our A-Zone attack,” Ruthven mused.

“We have given ourselves plenty of opportunity to score points the last two weeks, it’s just about converting that pressure to points.

“The boys are not far off a really strong performance and the group is confident that the work we have done this week will provide us with that.

“Easts will be confident after a win last week and they have a strong roster so we will need to be on from the opening whistle.

“I’m particularly impressed by their No.7 Charlie Smith. Looks to be a fearless competitor and well supported by Sam Shires. Will be a great battle between the backrows.”

Eastern Suburbs coach Pauli Taumoepeau said his group had had a good week on the training paddock.

“The boys have been positive this week and you can only hope it transfers into the game,” Taumoepeau said.

“We’re under no illusion that a win this weekend requires a lot of work physically and mentally. But, we’re looking forward to this challenge. It’s a big challenge.

“We’ll need to be well rounded. Front up in the forwards then answer their strike players out wide.”

Can’t emphasis ow important this one is for the Rats with Gordon on the horizon.

WARRINGAH (1-15):
Jayden Taylor, Wes Thomas, Sam Needs, Andrew Davies, Sam Ward ©, Rory Suttor, Mungo Mason, Charlie McKill, Josh Holmes, Tom Halse, Charlie Tupu, Tyson Davis, Seb Wileman, Ben Woolett, Ben Marr.

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Faalelei Sione, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Archer Holz, Agustin Escalona, Jeremy Williams, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Charlie Smith, Sam Shires, Jack Grant (c), Nicholas Holton, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Henry Paterson, Will Paterson, Daniel Donato.

HUNTER WILDFIRES v SYDNEY UNI at Newcastle No.2 Sportsground

Hunter Wildfires coach Scott Coleman knows better than anyone that there is no easy path to beat Sydney Uni, the Shute Shield’s defending premiers on Saturday.

You’ve got to be competitive at scrum time and at the lineout and when the few chances the Students do offer come along you’ve got to grab them as if they are gold.

Coach Coleman said they aren’t going to the game to make up the numbers.

“To be honest we really want to win this one – that has been out mindset,” he said. “But to do all that we have to compete at set piece.”

Sydney Uni coach Michael Hodge says he will head north to Newcastle with guarded expectations.

“It’s a a great challenge this week. As a squad, we’re really excited about the opportunity to head up north,” he said.

“Newcastle have looked good over the past couple of weeks, and I’ve been really impressed with their intent in defence.

“For us it’s a simple focus. We need to be better and more consistent at set piece and its an opportunity to refine our attack. Last week was certainly an arm wrestle, but we still created plenty of opportunities.”

No.6 Nick Champion de Crespigny has been consistently good in the first few games and should be in for a big game against the Wildfires.

“Weather looks great and I’ve heard the deck might just be the best in the Shute Shield. How good,” added Hodge.

HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15):
David Puchert, Christopher Ale (c), Nicholas Dobson, Adam Edwards, Sevanaia Rokobara, Sitiveni Waqa, Shawn Ingle, Benjamin Ham, Mahe Fangupo, Connor Mulhearn, Rob Buserau, Taulogo Lalaga, Hayden Cole, Nimilote Qio, Brendan Holliday.

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):
Matt Sandell, Patrick O’Doherty, Darcy Breen, Luke Porter, Thomas Willson, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Jack McCalman, Rohan O’Regan, Banjo Travers, Connor O’Shea, James Kane, Will McDonnell, Henry Clunies-Ross, Ofa Manuofetoa, Tim Clements.

PENRITH v SOUTHERN DISTRICTS at Nepean Rugby Park

Penrith head to the foot of the mountains on Saturday to take on Southern Districts and Emus coach John Muggleton is looking for an increase in production from their lineout.

The Emus had a horror day at lineout time not winning too many and having a hell of a time getting their hands on their own throw ins.

It was a combination of factors that led to this and in the modern game if you cannot get your own set piece right you will be chasing ball for most of the game.

That was the case against Northern Suburbs, particularly after half time when the Shoremen kicked away.

Penrith head coach John Muggleton is looking forward to next stage in the Emus’ development.

“As I said earlier in the year it’s a matter working your way into the first few rounds and learning from week to week,” Muggleton said.

“We’ve made a few changes in the forwards aimed at strengthening our lineout.

“The backs are pretty much the same but we have Jale (Seninawanawa) back in the outside backs which will inject some experience into the side.

“We must win our own ball and have a heap more discipline in the tackle contest so when we get turnovers they don’t go straight back to a penalty advantage.”

Southern Districts will be looking for life after their skipper Marcus Carbone after he was ruled out in the Rebels’ impressive win over Eastwood in Round One.

Nick Brown comes into the backrow while Phil Potgieter and Dom McGrath have been shuffled about at the back of the scrum.

Tim Metcher is another out after picking up a cork and has been replaced by Keitel Brampston at tight head.

Rebels coach Todd Louden said: “We’re well aware that this is their first home game in something like three years so we’re going to have to be on our game.

“Our plan is to go hard at them early and take the sting out of their game and play from there.

“With ‘Muggo’ in charge they are going have some sting defensively and if we don’t show them the respect they deserve they can get the jump on you.

“It will be a hard day out there at Nepean.”

PENRITH (1-15):
David Tifa, Mark Roparti, Macia Latabua, Timoci Wasarua, Sevanaia Nadruku, Lucas Castle, Delayhoa Manu, John Tuivaiti, Terry Fanolua, Netane Masima, Jeremiah Fa’amasili, Riley Alcorn, Luke Nadurutalo, Jale Seninawanawa, Dean Blore.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):
James Wayland, Blake Schoupp, Keitel Brampston, Isoa Nasilasila, Jake Douglas, Philip Potgieter, Dominic McGrath, Nick Brown, Sam Harris, Matt Teki, Christian Kagiassis, Mila Lalatoa, Nathan Lawson, Apaola Tea Lama, Daniel Bell.

EASTWOOD v WEST HARBOUR at TG Millner Field

I’m a bit of a devotee of Gain Line Analytics’ Ben Darwin’s theory that the teams that have a “history” together are the ones that win more often.

And Eastwood, as they prepare for their derby game against West Harbour on Saturday, it seems are very much in the “short on time together category”.

Most good judges thought that they would really hit the ground running but they have been clunky and searching for answers in their first two outings of 2020.

No lack of talent out there they just seem to need more time in the saddle together.

The loss to Southern Districts showed that it would take some time for them to come together after a reasonably high turnover of players in the off-season and the Covid-19 shutdown.

It then took until the final quarter of the game against the Wildfires to get any sort of ascendency.

Chris Bell has been working off the bench in the first fortnight and gets the chance to start this weekend.

Head coach Ben Batger has tweaked his outside backs with Tim Simona not starting this weekend and Bell getting a crack at the back.

“Belly has been exceptional when given his opportunities so he deserves his shot,” assistant coach Andrew Clyne said.

Charles Granger comes back into the second row and Latu Talakai will start at tight head with Rhys Sheriff dropping back to the bench.

Wests coach Mark Gudmunson said the Woods were a good match up for his side at this stage of the season which is yet to bring a victory.

“This week has all been about us and our game. We were really clunky against Eastern Suburbs, but still were in positions to really pressure them,” he said.

“This is an exciting week for us. We always love the Eastwood challenge. To add to it, we will have no supporters due to no tickets for West Harbour supporters with crowd restrictions, so we are going to have to get some energy from ourselves on Saturday.

“It is not ideal, but it is Eastwood’s home ground and I suppose they make the decisions.

“Our approach is to get our game right, we have learnt from our mistakes against Eastern Suburbs.

“Eastwood have lost a lot of fire power in their forward pack with Jed Gillespe having to take a big load on himself in that tight five and Pat Sio taking the majority of the carries around the field, so we need to really see how we can use that aspect.”

EASTWOOD (1-15):
Jed Gillespie, Ed Craig, Latu Talaki, Daniel Cosgrove, Charles Granger, Michael Icely, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Lachlan Shelley, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stolz, Fabian Goodall Chris Bell.

WEST HARBOUR (1-15):
Sonny Satuala, Tonga Tangitau, Nigel Vaifele, Etienne Oosthuizen, Otto Wendt, Liam Moylan, Kaliova Nacina, Franchis Iremia Saufio, Dion Spice, Josh Coward, James Turner, Justin Tavae, Connor Chittenden, Tavite Gadeisuva, Patrick Pellegrini.

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES v RANDWICK at Lidcombe Oval

Randwick fullback Locky Miller has been given the all clear to take his place in the Galloping Greens side to take on Western Sydney Two Blues on Saturday.

Miller was sent off in the second half of the heroic effort against Warringah at Coogee Oval last weekend but has been cleared tom play this week.

After looking at the video of the incident the Sydney Rugby Judiciary judged that the red card was enough sanction for the unfortunate incident that saw Ben Woollett flipped on to his back in what looked to be an unavoidable collision.

Wicks coach Ben McCormack said they had concentrated on looking forward this week and not what had been no matter how heroic.

“We showed a lot of character and determination last week which was great, but we also contributed to putting ourselves in that position through poor execution,” he said.

“We’re focused on bringing a higher level of execution and polish to our performance this weekend.

“Locky is free to play after the review of the tackle which clearly showed Benny Woollet land on his back, not his neck or shoulder like the referee first thought.

“So time already served (30 minutes on Saturday) was deemed punishment enough.

“We’re keen to get out to Lidcombe and rip in.”

Two Blues coach Joel Rivers has a huge task on his hands to get his side back in the right frame of mind after the effort against Gordon where they looked out of their depth and lost 64-0.

“The execution of our game plan and individual kills in both attack and defence, except for maybe three of our boys just wasn’t there,” Rivers said.

“I’m obviously nervous after last week but we have had an honest week of training and discussion, with a few changes.

“I think we have the ability to beat Randwick if the effort is there and we are smart. We can’t do anything to place ourselves under needless pressure.”

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES (1-15):
Airi Hunt, Nick Blacklock, Kalafi Pongi (c), Tuitakau Kioa, Sev Domonia, Sione Fifita, Riley Jacobson (c), Emmanual Maliko, Liam Tully, Rory Garrett, Niko Dalivusa, Phillip Pale, Leviticus Dodd, Jordan Williams, Robert Duff.

RANDWICK (1-15):
Jake Turnbull, Dave Vea, George Hendry, Tom Nowlan, Nathan Den Hoedt, Tom Piraddi, Christian Poidevin, Kyle Harris, Tyzac Jordan, Freddy Dorrough, Dylan Pietsch, Kristian Jenson, Simon Kennewell, Christian Yassmin, Locky Miller.

GORDON has the bye.

IMAGE: JEREMY BRENNAN / WEST HARBOUR