Norths and Randwick will meet for the first time since last year’s grand final on what is expected to be a wet weekend of Shute Shield rugby.

Elsewhere, Easts coach Ben Batger faces his former club Eastwood for the first time, Manly host Gordon, Hunter take on Western Sydney Warringah travel to play Sydney Uni and West Harbour and Souths will battle for their first win of the season when they meet at Concord Oval. Check out all the team news and analysis ahead of round five this weekend.

Northern Suburbs v Randwick

Max Jorgensen is set to make his Shute Shield debut for Randwick in Saturday’s grand final rematch at North Sydney Oval. 

Jorgensen will start at fullback for the Galloping Greens, with James Hendren shifting to the wing in place of returning Waratah Dylan Pietch.

In the forwards, Dec Leaney and former Junior Wallaby Val Yates will start in the front row after last week’s bruising local derby against Easts. 

For Norths, skipper Harry Burey returns and will start the match at inside centre. The rest of the team is unchanged from last week’s win over West Harbour.

Northern Suburbs (1-15)

George Thornton, Sam Kitchen, Michael Scott, Hamish Sinclair, Tom Smith, Boston Kerapa, Gary Bautz, Ed Timpson, Roan Frostwick, Jude Gibbs, Carrick McDonough, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Seb Cameron, Matt Ryan.

Randwick (1-15)

Declan Leaney, Val Yates, Paulo Leleisiuao, Tom Nowlan, Angus Houston, Mitch Watts, Tom Serhon, Ben Houston, Ky Willougby, Andrew Deegan, James Hendren, Faasiu Fuatai, Jayden Blake, Christian Yassmin, Max Jorgenson.

Manly v Gordon 

Young Manly centre Angus Bell did his ACL in last Thursday derby against Warringah and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. 

Ollie Cummins comes into the starting XV at inside centre, will Ollie Horne and Wilson Dulieu shifting jersey numbers in the back three. 

In the forwards, Justin Mataele replaces Rory Bartle in the second row. 

Gordon have named Sosaia Moala to start at No.8 against the Marlins. Moala is a former NZ Schoolboy who played rugby league for Manly’s NSW Cup feeder team Blacktown Workies last season. 

Elsewhere, Liam Usher and Will Bremner will start in the front row and John Akau’ola-Laula will start at lock. 

In the backs, former Exeter Chiefs No.9 Joe Snow will start for the Stags after playing from the bench in last week’s win. The rest of the backline is unchanged. 

Manly (1-15)

Neori Nadruku, Aaron Blacklock, Maka Mafileo, Justin Mataele, Rory Bartle, Sam Daly, Karl Main, Ben Gleeson, Ruan Du Plooy, Robbie McIntosh, Oscar Gilding, Ollie Cummins, Fraser Conway, Wilson Dulieu, Ollie Horne.

Gordon (1-15)

Liam Usher, Will Bremner, Oliver Hannan, Jack Margin, John Akau’ola-Laula, Presley Tufuga, Milan Basson, Sosaia Moala, Joe Snow, Ben Pollack, Brandon Quinn, Barrie Karea, Kainoa Gudgeon, Oliver Arcus, Will Kaye.

Eastern Suburbs v Eastwood

Easts coach Ben Batger has named Luca Rossi to start at lock for Saturday’s game against Eastwood. Rossi came through the Beasties colts system and spent a season playing in Italy in 2023. Elsewhere in the forward pack, Fergus Lee-Warner returns to the Waratahs, with Harrison Mataele to start in his place at lock. 

Eastwood are unchanged following last weekend’s loss to Hunter in Newcastle. 

Eastern Suburbs (1-15)

Luca Rossi, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Vunipola Fifita, Josh Bokser, Harison Mataele, Archie Gavin, Jamie Adamson, George Gibson, Seb Strang, Jack Bowen, Calum Randle, Mosese Tuipulotu, Harry Wilson, Cooper Whiteside, Chris Bell.

Eastwood (1-15)

Salesi Ma’umalanga, Lachlan Frean, Will Goddard, Jack Parsons, Boston Schuster, Ben Dalton, Harry Turner, Jimmy Hokafonu, Tom Goddard, Harry Snook, Michael Stringer, Matt Minogue, Reece Tapine, JL Bacon, Lucas Vass.

Hunter v Western Sydney

Hunter coach Scott Coleman has made two changes to the side that beat Eastwood. Jonathan Toelupe will start at lock for the Wildfires with George Noa shifting to No.8

Western Sydney also head into round five with momentum after a tight win over Souths last weekend. 

Former Western Force Academy No.9 Reece Anapu will start his first match of the season, with Rilloy Suesue set to play second grade. 

Elsewhere, former North Harbour back Abel Magalogo will start in the midfield, Arie Hunt will start in the front row and gun backrower Tavite Guideisuva returns at No.7. 

Hunter (1-15)

Angus Websdale, Hamish Moore, Bo Abra, Jonathan Toelupe, Rob Puli’uvea, Elyjah Crosswell, Donny Freeman, George Noa, Isaac Montoisy, Ethan Morgan, Deon Evans-Ao, Ueta Tufuga, Thomas Watson, Veni Vahai, Brendan Palmer.

Western Sydney (1-15) 

Kaynan Siteine Tua, David Meki, Airi Hunt, Marcel Faaofo, Paula Waqa, Heremoni Nepo, Tavite Guideisuva, Tovo Faleafa, Reece Anapu, Reece Suesue, Tailiki Nadredre, Abel Magalogo, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Nik Vikena, Christian Papas.

West Harbour v Southern Districts

Both West Harbour and Southern Districts will be desperate to claim their first win of 2024 when they meet at Concord Oval on Saturday afternoon. 

Pirates coach Cam Treloar has made just one change to the side that showed plenty of fight against competition leaders Norths last week, with Toby Adlington set to stat at lock.

Souths also played plenty of good rugby against Western Sydney last Saturday but also feel short. 

Local junior Kyle Devine is set to make his first grade run-on debut in the front row. The remainder of the side are unchanged. 

West Harbour (1-15)

Dean Begetis, Haitoni Hafoka, Vaotangi Mafi, Toby Adlington, Jordan Brown, Sione Tau, Kaliova Nacina, Otto-Louis Wendt, Drew Sellers, Hunter Hannaford, Callum Sirker, Lucas Titherington, Matthew Whelan, Taine Rush, Justin Marsters.

Southern Districts (1-15)

Isaac Clark, James Douglas, Kyle Devine, Phil Potgieter, Jake Douglas, David Niumataiwalu, Victor Alofaki, Alan Fitzgerald, Liam Blyde, Tom Smith, Oscar Schmidt-Uili, Lumafale Lualua, Gavin Wood, Declan Mulcahy, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Sydney Uni v Warringah

Sydney Uni lost another tight match against Gordon last weekend and coach Todd Louden has made two changes, with 19-year old giant Clem Halaholo to start at lock and George Clark named on the wing.

Warringah have made just one change to the side that beat Manly on Anzac Day with Ben Woollett set to miss the clash against Uni. Jayden Pearce will start on the wing in his place.

Sydney Uni (1-15)

Paddy Tagg, Ciaran Loh, Jackson Stiel, Luke Ratcliff, Clem Halaholo, Angus Allen, Sam Allsopp, Jack McCalman, Theo Strang, Sam Bignold, George Clark, Eddie Poolman, Henry Clunies – Ross, Josh Calvert, Jack Matthews.

Warringah (1-15)

Tonga Tangitau, Wes Thomas, Pat La Torraca, Sam Thomson, Max Girdler, Charlie McKill, Zac Barnabas, Chlayton Frans, Ben Fuhiniu, Coby Miln, Harvey Elms, Tyson Davis, Komiti Tuilagi, Jayden Pearce, Ben Marr.