Cohen Masson leads the way for the Pirates against Easts last week – Photo: J.B Photography

by Brendan Bradford –

Manly vs Northern Suburbs –

Manly coach Phil Blake was quick to douse speculation that his side was in trouble after its second loss in three weeks. The Marlins’ 43-34 defeat in the Northern Beaches derby followed a 19-18 loss to Easts two weeks before, but Blake remains philosophical about the results as the regular season draws to a close.

“We need to address a few issues and understand that we were outplayed on the weekend, and that happens sometimes,” he said.

“They didn’t play any differently to how we thought they’d play, but our execution let us down. We missed a few lineouts, gave up scrum penalties, had kicks that didn’t find touch or were charged down, so they had the running of the first half. That’s just pressure and don’t forget that they were beaten by 50 the week before so we knew they’d be excited and fired up by the challenge.”

With a top four spot assured, Blake is beginning to think about the run into the finals with matches against Norths and West Harbour over the next two weeks.

“We just need to be better, it doesn’t matter who we play, we just need to be better,” he said.

“Obviously set piece is the biggest thing. The game’s no different if you’re playing Test rugby or Under 7s, if your set piece is no good, the rest of your game is poor. We’ll start there and work through a few other areas as well but the worst thing about the competition is that we don’t play another top-four side, so I’d prefer to be playing Eastwood or Uni, but that’s just the way the draw is.”

In a ridiculously high-scoring round of rugby, Norths scored 41 points but still managed to lose as Southern Districts piled on a whopping 62 at Forshaw last weekend.

“Defence wasn’t in the nature of the game and they did a good job with Paul Asquith and Afa Pakalani who came in an set up a lot of their tries,” said Fava whose side remains in 11th place overall.

“They were the difference and without those two we might have been close. But the guys we’ve got at the moment are still getting into our defensive structure, but once again, there’s no excuse for missing one-on-one tackles.”

The Shoremen created some good tries last weekend, but know Manly will be another step up.

“They’re a formidable opponent and are the form team this year, but at the moment, they’re stumbling and it’ll be an opportunity to get some points on the board,” said Fava.

“They play a simple game through the forwards, but if you can restrict those guys’ momentum and put some pressure on their playmakers, we’ll get a good opportunity to force some turnovers. They’ll get some confidence coming in and hopefully they do take us lightly so we can take some ascendancy during the game.”

Manly v Northern Suburbs at Manly Oval 3:00pm

Manly: 1. Eddie Aholelei, 2. Dave Porecki, 3. Mitch Lewis, 4. Ryan Melrose, 5. Greg Peterson (c), 6. Harry Bergelin, 7. Kotoni Ale, 8. Vaka Manu, 9. Mark Swanepoel (c), 10. Sam Vaevae, 11. Dane Chisholm, 12. Scott Daruda, 13. Brian Sefania, 14. Alex Northam, 15. Shaun Treweek.

Northern Suburbs: 1. Kevin McNamara, 2. Will Weeks, 3. Nick Lah (c), 4. Nick Palmer, 5. Declan Carroll, 6. Ben Matwijow, 7. Hugh Sinclair, 8. James Cunningham, 9. Cale Holmes, 10. Henry Fisher, 11. Paul Rokalati, 12. Will Miller, 13. Jac Cameron, 14. Lachlan Rosengreen, 15. Mitch Walton.

Referee: Jamie McGregor

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Penrith vs West Harbour –

Penrith have little to play for but pride over the last two rounds of competition, but coach Teki Tuipulotu says motivation isn’t an issue.

“It’s not motivation really it’s the issue of sustaining it and just consistency over a whole game,” he said.

“It’s still an issue, but we’re 50-60 percent better than last year and we’ll be even better next year. Looking at West Harbour, they’re always one of those teams around the semi-finals but we’ve got nothing to lose and we just want to end the season on a high.”

In two high-octane wins over Parramatta and Eastern Suburbs, West Harbour have scored 91 points and conceded 72 to keep their finals chances alive. The Pirates are in seventh spot on 38 points ahead of a last round match with Manly and coach Matt Briggs isn’t taking the threat of the men from the foot of the mountains lightly this weekend.

“The reality is we’re sixth equal on points and if we win our next two games we put ourselves in a position to move on, so we just need to focus on this game this weekend then see where we’re at,” said Briggs.

“It’s clichéd, but it was a game of two halves last weekend. We were a bit lost in the first half to be honest and you probably can’t put in print what I said at halftime, but we had a fantastic second half as a team and scored some great tries to come back. Everyone contributed and Rory Sidey really stood up in a leadership role.”

Although they’re capable of putting a big score on any side in the comp, the Pirates have periods of inconsistency in matches which the dangerous Emus can exploit. Briggs has named the same starting side but will wait on livewire back Henry Seavula to pass a fitness test on Thursday. Tuipulotu for one, is hoping Seavula won’t pass the Test.

“Henry and Rory are probably their two strike players and it’s just so important to not give him any space or any ball,” the Penrith coach said.

“They’re a lot like us, they’ve got a mobile pack, but you just can’t give Henry any space or turnover ball because he’ll punish you.”

Penrith v West Harbour at Nepean Rugby Park 3:00pm

Penrith: 1. Daniel Arona, 2. Ethan- Robinson Mate (c), 3. Nigel Vaifale, 4. Paea Siualangapo, 5. Senio Toleafoa, 6. Pita Tupou, 7. Sione Pusi’aki Fifita, 8. Andrew Pelasio, 9. Notise Tauafao, 10. Robbie Mate, 11. Arthur Brown, 12. Ben Kaafi, 13. Malakai Zelenzniak, 14. Kampo Sione, 15. Wise Tora.

West Harbour: 1. Dave Lolohea, 2. Leon Latu, 3. Micael Ala’alatoa, 4. Chris Simons, 5. Harrison Orr, 6. Tom Games (c), 7. Cohen Masson, 8. Matt Coles, 9. Rob Cattanach, 10. Sai Vakarau, 11. Tito Mua, 12. Rory Sidey, 13. Usaia O’Sullivan, 14. Macquire Tatola, 15. Joel Brooks.

Referee: Ed Martin

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Sydney University vs Gordon –

The Students despatched an off-colour Two Blues side last weekend and are looking for momentum heading into the finals. With matches against Gordon and Eastern Suburbs, it’s about tightening up areas of concern ahead of the knock-out phase of the competition.

“Last weekend was good in some respects, but we still conceded a few and that’s what we really need to fix up,” said coach Chris Malone.

“But for a young team going out to Death Valley, there were some positive signs there and we just can’t get too far ahead of ourselves this weekend. Ultimately we need to win the game and while it’s not necessarily going to change our position on the table – depending on what happens above us – but Gordon have been a lot better over the last month. They almost beat Randwick and have had some decent results, so it won’t be a walk in the park.”

The Students have the second best defensive record in the competition, but an attack-focused gameplan means they’re bound to leak points on occasion.

“When you’re playing such attacking rugby you’re going to turn the ball over just by pure number of times you’re putting it through the hands,” said Malone.

“So limiting the turnovers and the possession the opposition has is crucial, but then there’s that element of switching from attack to defence which is going to happen playing the way we do. Making it happen quickly and effectively is the big thing for us.

It was the one that got away for Gordon last weekend as the Highlanders conceded 20 points in 20 minutes against Randwick and fell to a 33-31 loss at Coogee Oval. They’d been on a two match winning streak and a bonus point lifts them above Norths to tenth overall, but poor defence let them down.

“We were poor, we didn’t stick to our game-plan and uncharacteristically in recent times we defended really poorly on our own goal-line and didn’t show much with the ball,” said coach, Geoff Townsend.

“We defended well in the first half, but didn’t game manage very well in the second half when we went up 19-6 and they started playing some good footy. We always thought we were a chance at the end, but all the damage was done in that 20-minute spell and conceding that many points in that amount of time is just not on at this level.”

The Highlanders weren’t the same without midfield leader Lucas Simkin who went off injured and his presence will be missed this weekend against a strong Sydney Uni outfit.

It’ll be a historic match as Sydney-sider Amy Perrett will referee her debut Shute Shield match. A fixture with the whistle in second grade and waving the touch judge’s flag in first grade, Perrett controlled her first women’s Six Nations match earlier this year and becomes the first home-grown female Shute Shield referee.

Good luck, Amy.

Sydney University v Gordon at University Oval 3:00pm

Sydney University: 1. Tomas Robertson, 2. Gerard Ellis, 3. Sam Talakai, 4. Thomas Boidin (c), 5. Jordan Chapman, 6. Samuel Quinn, 7. David Hickey, 8. Hugo Dessens, 9. Jock Merriman, 10. Daniel Kelly, 11. Henry Clunies-Ross, 12. James McMahon, 13. Jim Stewart, 14. James Dargaville, 15. Stuart Dunbar.  

Gordon:  1. Tobias Guikabau, 2. Ron Hobden, 3. Nick Fraser, 4. Ruiraidh Wilson, 5. Luke Heavey, 6. Jack Maguire, 7. Jack Dempsey, 8. Johnno Broome, 9. Terry Preston (c), 10. Henry Carmichael, 11. Sione Ala, 12. Tom Matthews, 13. Jason Seage, 14. Matt McDougall, 15. Xavier McCoy.

Referee: Amy Perrett

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