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. 

For Norths, centre Henry O’Donnell is away with the Junior Wallabies. Ratu Tagive returns on the wing, with Nathan Russell shifting to No.13. Winiata Charrington will start at fullback.

Warringah (1-15)

Martin Mulhall, Wes Thomas, Sateki Latu, Andrew Davies, Dillon Marov, Max Girdler, Alex O’Dell, Richard Clift, Roan Frostwick, Ben Marr, Oskar Enasio, Tyson Davis, Seb Wileman, Esera Chee-Kam, Christian Townsend.

Northern Suburbs (1-15)

Jack Brewer, James Margan, Michael Scott, Saxon Gillies, Declan Carroll, Boston Kerapa, Luke Gersekowski, Brodie Leber, Nick Duffy, Jude Gibbs, Ratu Tagive, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Seb Cameron, Winiata Cherrington.

Eastern Suburbs v Western Sydney 

Easts coach Simon Kneebone has named an unchanged team from the side that fell short against Norths last week. 

At Norths, Tolu Latu has been called up for the Waratahs trip to Christchurch, with Jay Fonokalafi to start at hooker. Irie Papuni is back at lock and Marcel Faaofo will start at No.6.

In the backs, Faiva Faiva will start at 12 with Nemani Nadolo named on the wing. 

Eastern Suburbs (1-15)

Faalelei Sione, Julian Heaven, Vunipola Fifita, Jack Hill, Ethan Simpson, Josh Bokser, Archie Gavin, Will MacPherson, Jonny Van der Velde, Max Patterson, Blake Rixon, Lachie Bradford, Joel Cobb, Jack Mossman, Nic Shannon.

Western Sydney (1-15)

Kaynan Siteine-Tua, Jay Fonokalafi, Vili Tauofaga, Irie Papuni, Manasa Rokosuka, Marcel Faaofo, Tavite Gadeisuva, Jaycob Matiu, Rilloy Suesue, Reece Suesue, Nemani Nadolo, Faiva Faiva, Siti Moceidreke, Taliki Nadredre, Otumaka Mausia.

Gordon v Hunter

Gordon halves Harrison Goddard and Jack McGregor will both miss Saturday’s top of the table clash against Hunter, with Connor Dever and Dominic Easy set to start in the No.9 and No.10 jerseys. In the forwards, Tom Maka and Ola Tauelangi will also miss the clash with Will Bremner and Cameron Wood to start at hooker and flanker respectively.

After missing last week’s surprising loss to Souths, Donny Freeman returns at No.7 for Hunter. Morgan Inness is also back in the starting side at lock. 

Gordon (1-15)

Tristan Fuli, Will Bremner, Tiaan Tauakipulu, John Akau’ola-Laula, Jack Margin, Cameron Wood, Tom Horan, Milan Basson , Connor Dever, Dominic Easy, Will Terry, Barrie Karea, Kainoa Gudgeon, Oliver Arcus, Ben Pollack.

Hunter (1-15)

Isikeli Fukofuka, Andrew Tuala, Nicholas Dobson, Morgan Inness, Rob Puliuvea, Chlayton Frans, Donny Freeman, Tiueti Asi, Nicholas Murray, Connor Winchester, Isaac Ulberg, Nafi Tuitavake, Thomas Watson, Alesana Pohla, Nathan de Thierry. 

Randwick v Eastwood

Randwick have made a number of changes to their forward pack for Saturday’s clash against Eastwood at Coogee. Big lock Mike Etete is out, with Seb Buchanan named to replace him. Joel Ellis returns to the backrow and Cyrille Cama and Finn Wright will start in the front row.

For Eastwood, captain Ed Craig is back in the No.2 jersey, while Charlie Beckett will start at lock. In the backs, Daniel Ala replaces Sione Hopoate on the wing. 

Randwick (1-15)

Olly Adkins, Cyrille Cama, Finn Wright, Seb Buchanan, Cormac Daly, Joel Ellis, Tom Silk, Ben Houston, Conor Tupai, Coby Miln, Jackson Mohi, Nick Chan, Jayden Blake, Christian Yassmin, Ben Dowling.

Eastwood (1-15)

Adrian Brown, Ed Craig, Alex Pappalardo, Eric Tauiliili, Charlie Beckett, Nick Russell, Ratu Tuisese, Michael Icely, Lachie Albert, Matt Minogue, Jack Metcalf, Enoka Muliufi, JL Bacon, Daniel Ala, Chris Bell.

Sydney Uni v West Harbour

After a stint in Japan, Sydney Uni hooker Ciaron Loh is back at Camperdown and will start in a pack that also welcomes back Ed Scragg at lock. Theo Strang will start at No.9, while Sepesa Loga-Tarogi replaces Tom Morrison, who is away with the Junior Wallabies. 

For West Harbour, captain Max Clementson is back after missing last week’s tight loss against Manly. Albert Alcock will start at hooker and Callum Sirker returns on the wing. 

Sydney Uni (1-15)

Paddy Tagg, Ciaron Loh, Darcy Breen, Luke Ratcliff, Ed Scragg, Mali Manukia, Jack McCalman, Hugh Bokenham, Theo Strang, Connor O’Shea, Eddy King, Simon Kennewell, Henry Clunies – Ross, Sepesa Loga-Tarogi, Jac Lloyd.

West Harbour (1-15)

Cameron Orr, Albert Alcock, Callum Quin, Toby Adlington, Josh Thompson, Damien Fleming, Max Clementson, Presley Tufuga , Dion Spice, Hunter Hannaford, Justin Marsters, Enari Kilifi, Josh Brown, Callum Sirker, Noah Cooper.

Manly v Southern Districts 

Manly coach Chris Delooze has named gun backrowers Zac Barnabas and Ben Gleeson on the bench for Saturday’s clash against Souths. Both Zac Browns will start, at lock and flanker, while Wilson Dulieu and Lewis Dennett have been named in the halves. Regular No.9 Ryan Du Plooy is on the bench, while Robbie McIntosh hasn’t been named. Big centre Ofa Manuofetoa also returns after missing last week’s hard fought win over the Two Blues.

Flying high after last week’s upset over Hunter, Souths have named an unchanged forward pack. In the backs, Jackson Ropata is away with the Junior Wallabies. Sam Tabuatamata returns on the wing and George Spencer slides in to outside centre. 

Manly (1-15)

Ivan Fepuleai, Aaron Blacklock, Nick Brown, Justin Mataele, Byron Leach, Nick Brown, Hunter Ward, Manaia Koko, Wilson Dulieu, Lewis Dennett, Cole Swannack, Ofa Manuofetoa, Fraser Conway , Yool Yool, Ollie Horne.

Southern Districts (1-15)

Ezekiel Sopoaga, Dante Tatafu, Noah Ironside, Phil Potgieter, Jake Douglas, Tupou Sopoaga, Archie Hosking, Angus Allen, Joe Green, Cooper Hansen, Samuel Tabuatamata, Tom Smith, George Spencer, Maui Wallace, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.