By MARK CASHMAN

A lot of the attention in recent seasons has been around the big northern beaches derby between Manly and Warringah but Eastwood coach Ben Batger believes that “the biggie” is elsewhere this weekend.

Batger says that the Eastwood v Sydney Uni clash on Saturday is THE biggest game of Shute Shield season.

“People talk about the big clash between Manly and Warringah but that’s a local derby,” Batger said.

“But Eastwood v Uni is the battle of the two heavyweights of the last 20 years who respect each other immensely but also hate losing to each other.”

And looking back through the honour roll it’s pretty tough to argue with him – barring Northern Suburbs in 2016 and Warringah in 2017 – it’s been a Woods and Uni show for the past couple of decades.

Batger believes that the Woods are moving in the right direction and that they will get a good gauge about where they are at on Saturday.

“I think Souths showed you have to take it to Uni physically and you have to stay in the fight,” Batger said.

“They are going to get on top of you at some stage and you need to able to fight through those hard periods.

“You also have to take your opportunities – their defence is so good they don’t give you many chances to score.

“I’m hoping some of our big ball carriers can test them out then let the speed and creative players take over.”

In creative players Batger is referring to his young flyhalf Tane Edmed who is adapting to senior footy quite well and his fullback Chris Bell.

He is also getting some pay out of Tim Anstee, who made his starting debut last weekend and scored three tries as well as big No.8 Sione Tau who carries well.

Sydney Uni coach Michael Hodge is wary of the Woods’ long kicking game and their big bodies in the middle of the field.

“It’s a special one at TG (Millner Field) and there is always plenty of feeling from both sides,” Hodge said.

“Eastwood have looked good over the last month and I’m sure will be happy to be back at home. They’ve got a long kicking game and big bodies in the middle that can wear you down.

“We will be looking to do all the little things well this week, as we know they’ll punish our mistakes.

“I’m never one to say losses are a good thing, but there’s been an extra bit of spice on the training field this week. I’m sure it will be fiery!”

EASTWOOD (1-15):
Willie Leoso, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Michael Icely, Tom Murphy, Sione Tau, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Lachlan Shelley, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stoltz, Fabian Goodall, Chris Bell.

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

LAST TIME: Sydney Uni W 24-11 June 22, 2019.

IMAGE: SERGE GONZALEZ / EASTWOOD RUGBY