We're just about at the halfway point of the Shute Shield regular season and just when you thought you'd figured out the contenders and the pretenders, last placed Southern Districts upset first placed Hunter.

It's another wild and incredibly tight season and the race towards the playoffs is going to be fantastic to follow. Check out all the latest team news ahead of round nine this weekend.

Warringah v Northern Suburbs

21-year old former Scotland U20s back Christian Townsend will make his first grade debut for the Rats at fullback. Elsewhere, Sateki Latu returns to the starting side at prop, as does Max Girdler at No.6. Dillon Marov replaces Sam Thomson at lock and Oskar Enasio will start on the wing.

Warringah (1-15)