We’ve got six games of Shute Shield rugby to enjoy over the Easter long weekend and two of those matches come early, with Hunter and Randwick and Warringah and Uni set to meet on Good Friday.

To help preview round two, we’ve taken a look at one key match up from each fixture that will be worth keeping an eye on over the weekend.

Image: Stewart Hazell/Ric McLellan

Hunter v Randwick: Donny Freeman v Alek Dabek

The battle of two of the newer No.7s in the competition could have a big impact on the result up in Newcastle on Good Friday afternoon. 

Freeman is a workhorse and will need to find a way to slow the Randwick ball to help his side defend a pretty electric backline. Dabek, a Kiwi who crossed the ditch to join Western Sydney last year, is a bigger body than Freeman and will need to keep the bearded breakaway well away from his ball carriers.

Warringah v Sydney Uni: Sateki Latu v Paddy Tagg

Warringah’s scrum struggled at times against Randwick last week and they can’t afford to repeat that effort against the always consistent Sydney Uni set piece. 

Sateki Latu will meet 21-year old loosehead Paddy Tagg at scrum time and will need to get on top of his opponent to help his pack hold their own. 

Eastwood v Manly: Harry Wilson v Angus Bell

Two young, big and talented outside centres will meet at TG Milner on Saturday. Wilson missed last week’s clash against Easts but looks strong and fit after a preseason with the Waratahs. 

He’ll line up against Angus Bell who made the move from Sydney Uni to Manly over summer. 

Easts v West Harbour: Teddy Wilson v Dion Spice

No.9 Teddy Wilson was at his sniping best in Easts’ first round win over Eastwood. He’ll meet Dion Spice who is back at West Harbour after two seasons at Manly. 

Spice is one of the most experienced No.9s in the competition and will need all of that to slow down Wilson and an in form Beasties outfit. 

Norths v Souths: Jude Gibbs v  Will Thomas

Flyhalf Jude Gibbs starred in his Norths’ debut in the Shoremens big win over Sydney Uni this week. He and his electric backline will be eager to continue to build momentum against a Souths’ side who also impressed in round one. 

Will Thomas, a former Welsh 7s player, is back at Forshaw and led his fairly inexperienced side well in last week’s win over Gordon. Both Thomas and Gibbs are similar players and have the spark to turn Saturday’s match on its head at anytime. 

Western Sydney v Gordon: Kaynan Siteine-Tua v John Akauola

One of the breakout players in last year’s Shute Shield, Kaynan Siteine-Tua was quiet in last week’s disappointing loss to West Harbour. His side will need him to be back to his best against a Gordon outfit who were also disappointing in round one. 

Billy Melrose has massive wraps on prop John Akauola and thinks he could be one of the best props in the competition if he can string some consistent game and training time together.