By MARK CASHMAN

Interesting times ahead for the next two weeks with the make up of the final six to be determined with seven clubs very much in the picture.

Sydney Uni will be looking to break a three match losing streak when they take on Northern Suburbs in the 7 FLICK TV match of the round on Saturday.

Uni got out to a 19-3 lead against Gordon last weekend at Chatswood Oval but were reeled in by the fast finishing and always pragmatic Highlanders and they will be looking to atone.

Southern Districts will host Manly in another game with wide ranging ramifications at Forshaw Rugby Park.

In the other games the Two Blues will play Eastern Suburbs, Eastwood will host Warringah and Gordon will travel to Nepean Rugby Park to take on Penrith.

The other game will see West Harbour take on the Hunter Wildfires in Newcastle.

Here’s out look at how the games could pan out>

SYDNEY UNI V NORTHERN SUBURBS at Uni No.2

For the second time in as many weeks Northern Suburbs have been forced to make a late change as they prepare for their 7FLICK TV match of the round against Sydney Uni on Saturday.

Waratahs squad member Cam Clark dropped out of Norths starting side on Thursday night after copping a head knock in last week’s game against Southern Districts.

Clark has been a major contributor to the way that the Shoremen have played and contributed significantly to the big win over Gordon and Chatswood Oval and last weekend in windy conditions at Rat Park against Souths.

The other one missing from Norths side this week is Dewald Dekker who has had a run of yellow cards and will have to sit out this week.

For Dekker in comes Isaac Cavu, who has been missing since tweaking a hamstring in Norths win over the Hunter Wildfires in Round Five.

The John Thornett Cup is being played for in honour of the greatest Wallaby captain of them all and it must be said that there is a lot on the line for the home side.

Uni sit in sixth place on the Shute Shield competition table after the loss to Gordon last weekend and if things don’t go their way over the next two rounds they could miss out on the playoffs.

They have lost three on the bounce and the heat is on.

Uni coach Michael Hodge mulled over the possibilities with Rugby News earlier this week and knows that a good performance is needed sooner rather than later.

More of the “the good stuff” over longer periods of time is what he wants.

“Norths are an excellent team, and have proved that with big wins over the last month,” Hodge said.

“However, this week is firmly about us. 

“We’ve showed patches of the game we want to play over the past three weeks, but we need greater consistency over the 80 minutes. 

“Our set piece is a strength and we will look to continue build on our combinations. Nice to be able to name an unchanged line up.”

Norths coach Earl Va’a said nothing would change for the Shoremen this week against Uni.

Against Southern Districts they had to work hard in defence early and played for large sections of the game without the ball and completed over 100 more tackles than the Rebels.

“We’ve just got to make sure that every one understands their roles and execute to the required level,” Va’a said. “Nothing changes this week against Uni.

“From what I have seen over the past few weeks they seem to have been giving games away but they are still a quality side and will be tough.”

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):

Tom Robertson, Declan Moore, Chris Talaki, Oliver Atkins, Ratu Rotuisolia, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Josh Kemeny, Rohan O’Regan, Theo Strang, Stu Dunbar, James Armstrong, Will McDonnell, Henry Clunies-Ross, Matthew Hood, Tim Clements.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15): 

German Haeffeli, James Margan, Isaac Cavu, Dave Henaway, Declan Carroll, Brad Hemopo, Charlie Jeavons-Fellows, Hugh Sinclair, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Kepu Lokotui, Max Burey.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS V MANLY at Forshaw Rugby Park

In the words of their coach Matt McGoldrick, the Manly Marlins are “banged up” but ready to go to put in when they take on Southern Districts on Saturday.

In my conversations with the Shute Shield coaches each week it’s been hard to split the clubs that have been hit hardest by injury, but if we were going to have a grand final Southern Districts and the Marlins would be in it.

McGoldrick says they have used four scrum halfs, four No.10s and four inside centres.

“But on the other side of things we have found first graders to fill those gaps and we will benefit from that in the future,” McGoldrick said.

“It’s tough to find the wins when the injury toll is like that, we’ve busted our arse to compete and haven’t tossed it in at any stage.

“Against Randwick last weekend they had six or seven guys back from the Rebels and the Tahs while we didn’t have any to bolster our ranks.

“That said we have really improved a lot of our younger guys like Sio (Tatolo) and Conor (Davidson) so I’m really bullish about the future of the club.”

Souths’ injury woes have been well documented with more than a handful of their Shute Shield squad copping season and sometimes career ending injuries.

The latest was their scrum half Sam Harris who got a head knock a couple of weeks back and has been advised not to play rugby again.

That whole scenario has been guys like Cooper Chambers and also Sama Malolo come through and perform well.

Malolo was pretty close to the best on the field in the first half against Northern Suburbs last weekend but he will be missing after copping a blue card.

The big in for Souths coach Todd Louden is on the wing where Trae Williams will get his chance.

The former Sevens squad member and sprinter has genuine gas and will have to be watched closely. 

Back on the Marlins front this will be the final game for Mick Adams who is retiring at the end of the season.

Adams has been a major contributor to the Manly cause since he headed south from Warringah and he will be missed.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):

Andrew Tuala, Joe Cotton, Tetera Faulkner, Jordan Brown, Jake Douglas, Phil Potgieter, James Finch, Clayton Clinch, Cooper Chambers, Christian Kagiassis, Trae Williams, Viliami Latu, Nathan Lawson, Deon Evans-Ao, Brandon Finnegan.

MANLY MARLINS (1-15):

Alefosio Tatola, James Hilterbrand, Conor Davidson, Alex Dalzell, Max Douglas, Hunter Ward, Harry Bergelin, Dan Alley, Jack Young, Harley Attwater, Mick Adams, Fraser Toohey, Dennis Pili-Gaitau, Harry Haywood, Yool Yool.

EASTWOOD V WARRINGAH at TG Millner Field

A bye week can be an unknown beast at times in a compressed season but Eastwood coach Ben Batger reckons it has been the perfect tonic as the Woodies set sail for the Shute Shield finals.

The Woodies take on Warringah on Saturday and the knocks and bumps of 10 straight weeks of footy it must be said were taking a toll.

Batger has been able to welcome back Tim Anstee into his pack and freshen up for young flyhalf Tane Edmed has been invaluable.

“The bye came at a really good time for us because we had lots of bumps and bruises,” Batger said.

“The boys have come back refreshed and recharged but knowing that we have to switch on straight away because the Rats are a dangerous side.”

Eastwood currently sit in fourth spot, three points behind the third placed Randwick, who have the buy this weekend.

A good win would see them jump up the competition table and really set up their run at the playoffs.

Batger is wary of Rats No.10 Ben Marr who has been carving them up since moving closer to the action from fullback two weeks ago.

“I think moving Ben Marr to 10 has really helped them and he has been able to ignite their attack,” Batger added.

“The key against them is never switching off, they have a number or threats all over the park – Josh Holmes, Marr, Boyd Killingworth, Seb Wileman, Sam Ward, Tyson Davis – so we have to be switched on as a defensive unit otherwise any one of them can break a game open.”

Warringah coach Mike Ruthven likes the fact that this game has some silverware on office – the Sir Roden Cutler Shield.

“Eastwood are playing with some nice shape and have some real strike power across the park so we will need to be at our best to get a good result,” Ruthven said.

“We have had two positive weeks but we are well aware we have to go up a cog or two on Saturday. 

Our set piece is going to have to be switched on to ensure we have a platform to play from. 

“Eastwood always present a challenge at scrum time but we are confident that the troops we have will do a job for us.

“I’m looking forward to seeing ‘Wardy’ really lift against against a strong Eastwood back row. He has accepted the challenge for us when we have needed that physical presence throughout the year and we will need that again on Saturday.”

EASTWOOD (1-15):

Jed Gillespie, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Ratu Tuisese, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stoltz, Fabian Goodall, Chris Bell.

WARRINGAH (1-15):

Jayden Taylor, Wes Thomas, Wayne Borsak, Andrew Davies, Alex O’Dell, Charlie McKill, Boyd Killingworth, Sam Ward (c), Josh Holmes, Ben Marr, Charlie Tupu, Robbie Nelson, Seb Wileman (vc), Esera Chee Kam, Tyson Davis.

PENRITH V GORDON at Nepean Rugby Park

Gordon coach Darren Coleman knows what to expect when you head to the foot of the mountains.

After all Coleman coached Penrith in 2005 and says he had an awesome time guiding the Emus to a six win season that saw them finish above many of the big dogs including Northern Suburbs.

It was one of those environments where you make a few coaching mistakes but bank a hell of a lot of coaching and man management skills in a short period of time.

“Yeah I’m looking forward to our trip back to Penrith,” Coleman said.

“I had an awesome experience coaching there in 2005 and have full respect for what ‘Muggo’ (Emus head coach John Muggleton) and Dan Guers have done there. 

“We will be very wary of a physical team, that plays with pride at home and have some genuine X factor. 

“For a team to be last on the ladder but lead the league in offloads shows the type of hard to contain footy they are playing. 

“Their centre (Luke Nadurutalo) man for man is probably the most dangerous ball runner in the league. 

“We will need to strangle them at set piece and tackle well.”

Coleman has moved a few of his players around for this game in an effort to get ready for finals.

The in-form Rodney Iona will not start at flyhalf and Harrison Goddard will take over the decision making responsibilities in the No.10 jersey.

“Thought it was a good time to plan and see how things go if we lost Rodney,” Coleman added.

“The fact he’s in the neck and neck race for the Shute Shield’s top points scorer and the “team first” approach he took by happily rotating out speaks volumes to the team guy he is. 

“We’re looking for an injection of enthusiasm from some of the guys that haven’t had big minutes so far this year.”

The key for Penrith will be how their scrum comes up and if the likes of Terry Fanolua and Dean Blore can make room for the running skills of Luke Nadurutalo.

PENRITH (1-15): 

David Tifa, Ezekiel Seia, Macia Latabua, Lucas Castle, Willie Tooala, Matthew Faoagali, John Tuivaiti, Sosifa Funaki, Terry Fanolua, Dean Blore, Api Bera, Luke Nadurutalo, Jeremiah Fa’amausili, Inno Inosesio, Joseph Faoagali.

GORDON (1-15): 

Charlie Abel/Adrian Brown, Mahe Vailanu, Dom Hardman, Peter Chanel-Tagaloa, Brendan Mitchell, Jack Maguire, James Lough, Jordy Goddard (c), Jake Abel, Harrison Goddard, Oli Smeallie, Ellis Abrahams, Tautalatasi Tasi, Reece MacDonald, Lucas Price.

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES V EASTERN SUBURBS at Lidcombe Oval

Eastern Suburbs coach Pauli Taumoepeau is well aware of the dangers that their game against the Western Sydney Two Blues on Saturday presents.

“They’re a big team and I assure that we will be tested at the defence line,” Taumoepeau said.

“We’ll need to defend with plenty of intestinal fortitude and show them the respect that they deserve.”

The Beasties have come up with a different looking side than the one that took on Penrith at Woollahra last weekend.

Gone from that side are Tom Staniforth, Lalaki Foketi and Alex Newsome as well as Charlie Gamble.

Waratahs wider squad member Ryan McCauley comes in for Staniforth while Sam Shires gets a go in the back row along side Rob Leota and Jack Digby.

In the backs Dan Donato will play at inside centre and that has given Will Maddocks a crack at the No.15 jersey after showing good form in the reserves.

“The different side isn’t us resting players at all and we come into this clash with full respect,” Taumoepeau added.

“Every single change has been forced through injury or players away. 

“In saying that I’m confident in the squad we’ve picked can execute a game plan that works.”

The Two Blues have had their moments in 2020 and showed flashes of form in the first half of their loss to West harbour last weekend.

They actually hit back from an early deficit to grab the lead towards halftime in that game but fell away in the second 40 minutes when Wests got their act together.

That suggests Easts will have to be on their game in this one.

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES (1-15):

Jacob Delailoa, Nick Blacklock, Kalafi Pongi (c), Tevita Vea, Tuitakaau, Sione Fifita, Riley Jacobson, Peni Tuitupou, Rory Fletcher, Rory Garrett, Niko Campion, Phil Pale, Tepai Moeroa, Jordan Williams, Michael Zakhia.

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):

Vunipola Fifita, Lindsey Stevens, Archer Holz, Ryan McCauley, Jeremy Williams, Jack Digby, Sam Shires, Rob Leota, Jack Grant (c), Cohan Guerra, Blake Rixon, Dan Donato, Henry Paterson, Zac Woolford, Will Maddocks.

NEWCASTLE V WEST HARBOUR at Newcastle No.2 Sportsground

The key to coaching in many cases is assessing the talent at your disposal and adapting a game plans that suits the bodies and skills of that group.

That’s been the philosophy of West Harbour coach Mark Gudmunson this season and by the looks of the results over the past month it’s starting to pay some dividends.

Wests travel to Newcastle to take on the Hunter Wildfires on Saturday and Gudmunson just wants his charges to stick to the game plan – and even more so when things start to go off the rails, as they inevitably do.

“We’re getting some return from sticking to the game plan that we have trained for in recent weeks and the boys are starting to see that that plan works,” Gudmunson said.

“Last week we went away from it in the last 20 minutes of the first half and it allowed the Two Blues back into the game and to get in front. 

“I have watched a lot of Newcastle footage and that was not them last week, so I have not taken too much notice of that game. 

“We need to be clinical at the breakdown, strong in our carries and finish with quality. Some of the results they have had do not reflect the quality they have. 

“There are a few guys that we have marked to stop but at the end of the day our ability to play high tempo rugby is the key.”

Wildfires coach Scott Coleman is hoping that his side has the right mindset for what will be their final home game of the 2020 season.

“We have come across a few injuries of late but the boys will definitely be turning up ready for battle, as it is our last home game,” Coleman said.

“Wests have a strong scrum, a big forward pack and definitely some pace out wide.

“So we will be up against it but hopefully we turn up with the right frame of mind and can match them. 

“We need a win to build on what we have done so far and for our case to play in the Shute Shield in 2021.”

HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15): 

David Puchert, Phillip Bradford, Geraint Weaver, Jeremy Burrill, Sevanaia Rokobara, Alec Corcoran, Shawn Ingle, George Noa, Mahe Fangupo, Brendan Holliday, Hamish McKie, Taulogo Lalaga, Nimilote Qio, Taylor Acheson, Chad Northcott.

WEST HARBOUR (1-15): 

Sonny Satuala, Tametai Lomax, Cameron Betham, Otto Wendt, Jordan Sharp, Damien Flemming, Carlo Tizzano, Francis Iremia Saufio, Dion Spice, Patrick Pellegrini, James Turner, Cooper Henwood, Connor Chittenden, Justin Tuvae, Josh Petero.

RANDWICK has the bye

IMAGE: AJF PHOTOGRAPHY