Eastern Suburbs v Randwick

Ben Batger has made a number of changes to his side to play Randwick in the local derby at Woollahra on Saturday. 

New Irish recruit Alex McHenry will make his Shute Shield debut, but Beasties’ guns Teddy Wilson and Fergus Lee-Warner both haven’t been maned. 

Jamie Adamson will start at lock, Jack Grant will start at No.9 and Blake Rixon will start on the wing with Cooper Whiteside dropping back to fullback. 

Randwick coach Steve Hoiles has also name changes. Max Moore replaces Matt Stead at No.7, while Zac Carr will play on the wing with Nick Chan set to start at inside centre for the first time this season. 

Eastern Suburbs (1-15)

Lewis Ponini, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Vunipola Fifita, Josh Bokser, George Gibson, Jamie Adamson, Archie Gavin, Will Harris, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Calum Randle, Fabian Goodall, Alex McHenry, Blake Rixon, Cooper Whiteside.

Randwick (1-15)

Olly Adkins, Ben Sugars, Hunter Stewart, Mick Melia, Jamie Rickward, Joel Ellis, Max Moore, Ben Houston, Tim Sippel, Andrew Deegan, Zac Carr, Nick Chan, Jayden Blake, Christian Yassmin, James Hendren.

Gordon v Manly

After beating Norths to extend their run of wins, Gordon have made two changes to their side to play Manly in a battle of third v fourth on Saturday. 

Tom Horan returns for the Stags at flanker, while Joe Snow will start in the No.9 jersey. 

Manly’s side is yet to be named. 

Gordon (1-15)

Liam Usher, Jay Fonokalafi, Tristan Fuli, Jack Margin, John Akauola, Presley Tufuga, Tom Horan, Milan Basson, Joe Snow, Ben Pollack, Brandon Quinn, Joey Walton, James Armstrong, Oli Arcus, Will Kaye.

Manly (1-15)

TBC

Western Sydney v Hunter

After playing from the bench in last week’s win over Sydney Uni, former AFL player Kurt Heatherly will start at fullback for Western Sydney against Hunter on Saturday. 

Heatherly is a Kiwi that was drafted as an international development player by Hawthorn as a teenager. He returned to rugby and most recently played with Jersey Reds in the UK. 

Hunter have made three changes to the side that was beaten by Manly in the mud last week, with Matt Williams and Kirk Tufuga to start in the backrow and Deon Evans-Ao to start on the wing. 

Western Sydney (1-15)

Kaynan Siteine Tua, David Meki, Airi Hunt, Johnny Kawau, Paula Waqa, Marcel Faaofo, Ethan Staddon, Tovo Faleafa, Rilloy Suesue, Reece Suesue, Tailiki Nadredre, Jesse Leota, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Nik Vikena, Kurt Heatherly.

Hunter (1-15)

Bo Abra, Blake Howle, Sam Tufuga, Imanol Urraza, Rob Puli’uvea, Matt Williams, Donny Freeman, Kirk Tufuga, Nick Murray, Jack Evenden, Veni Vahai, Nathan deThierry, Thomas Watson, Deon Evans-Ao, Ethan Morgan.

Southern Districts v Northern Suburbs

Southern Districts showed plenty of fight in a 40-31 loss to Easts last Sunday. The Rebels have made two changes to their starting side, with Jake Douglas back at lock and Will Burns set to start at flanker. 

Norths have also made changes after losing to Gordon last week. Hugh Sinclair and Boston Kerapa are both back in the starting forward pack with Sam Kitchen also named to start at hooker. 

In the backs, Seb Cameron and Jack Vincent have been added to Norths’ back three. 

Southern Districts (1-15)

Isaac Clark, Thomas Gibb, Kyle Devine, Phil Potgieter, Jake Douglas, Kaylam Tytherleigh, Will Burns, Jed Holloway, Liam Blyde, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Oscar Schmidt-Uili, Lumafale Lualua, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Declan Mulcahy, Rihari Wilson.

Northern Suburbs (1-15)

George Thornton, Sam Kitchen, Michael Scott, Saxon Gillies, Hugh Sinclair, Boston Kerapa, Brody Leber, Luke Gersekowski, Roan Frostwick, Jude Gibbs, Carrick McDonough, Harry Burey, Henry O’Donnell, Seb Cameron, Jack Vincent.

West Harbour v Eastwood

West Harbour have made widespread changes for a match they need to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. 

Reginald Churchward (prop), Micah Aish-Gillard (lock), Will Yates (No.7) and Otto-Louis Wendt (No.8) have all been added to the starting forward pack. 

Flyhalf James Faiva hasn’t been named, with Hunter Hannaford set to shift from fullback to No.10.  Enari Kilifi and Matthew Whelan shift to wing and fullback respectively. 

Eastwood have lost Tane Edmed for the remainder of the season with the Tahs flyhalf heading to to New Zealand to play in the NPC. 

Tim Anstee will also miss the clash against West Harbour with Aiden King and Jimmy Hokafonu to start. 

In the backs, Blaise Barnes will start at flyhalf, Sam Dolores returns on the wing and Angus Blackmore will start at centre. 

West Harbour (1-15)

Oisin Michel, Albert Alcock, Reginald Churchward, Liam Lord, Micah Aish-Gillard, Will McDonald, Will Yates, Otto-Louis Wendt, Dion Spice, Hunter Hannaford, Senijiale Dawai, Lucas Titherington, Scott King, Enari Kilifi, Matthew Whelan.

Eastwood (1-15)

Iain Carmichael, Lachlan Frean, Matt Johnson, Jack Parsons, Aidan King, Ratu Tuisese, Ben Dalton, Jimmy Hokafonu, Tom Goddard, Blaise Barnes, Sam Dolores, Michael Stringer, Angus Blackmore, JL Bacon, Lucas Vass.

Warringah v Sydney Uni 

Warringah will look to extend their unbeaten run when they host Sydney Uni on Saturday. The Rats have made just one change with Conor Hickey replacing Jayden Pearce at outside centre. 

It’s getting close to make or break time for Sydney Uni but forutanely they’ve named a settled line up for Saturday match, with just one change. 

Villi Cocker will start at lock replacing Luke Ratcliff. 

Warringah (1-15)

Tonga Tangitau, Wes Thomas, Wayne Borsak, Sam Thomson, Dane Terekia, Charlie McKill, Zac Barnabas, Chlayton Frans, Ben Fuhiniu, Coby Miln, Harvey Elms, Luke McCready, Conor Hickey, Esera Chee Kam, Ben Marr. 

Sydney Uni (1-15)

George Patten, Hugh Bell, Brad Amituanai, Villi Cocker, Ilan Evans, Angus Allen, Sam Allsopp, Jack McCalman, Henry Robertson, Joey Fowler, James Kane, Eddie Poolman, Henry Clunies – Ross, George Poolman, Sam Bignold.