By MARK CASHMAN

Northern Suburbs take on Randwick in the 7TWO TV match of the round in what will be an intriguing high point of the ninth round of the Shute Shield competition on Saturday.

The Wicks have lost two on the trot while there Shoremen have clawed their way up the ladder to fourth in the wake of their 41-38 win over Eastwood.

Both teams play a similar brand of football and the Wicks will throw young Ben Donaldson into the fray at fly-half in an attempt to get a line on where his game is at after a bits and pieces season in the wider Waratahs squad.

The way he controls the game and comes up against the experienced Angus Sinclair will go a long way to deciding down which avenue this games goes.

Elsewhere Eastern Suburbs take on Sydney Uni at Woollahra, Southern Districts play Gordon at Forshaw, West Harbour travel to the foot of the mountain to tussle with Penrith and the Emu Burgers while the Two Blues play the Hunter Wildfires at Lidcombe.

The other game sees Eastwood take on Manly with the Sir Roden Cutler Shield on the line at TG Millner.

Here’s how the games could pan out!

NORTHERN SUBURBS V RANDWICK at Pittwater Rugby Park

Randwick are blessed with the talent that they have developed in recent seasons in the No.10 jersey and first grade coach Ben McCormack is looking forward to seeing how young Waratah Ben Donaldson goes in the driver’s seat on Saturday.

The Galloping Greens take on Northern Suburbs in the 7TWO TV match of the round and how Donaldson fits in will dominate much of the narrative around this encounter.

On top of Donaldson the Wicks have brought through Will Harrison in recent times and can lay claim to nurturing the early part of Tane Edmed’s career in colts before he headed to Eastwood this year.

That’s one hell of a talented cluster of fly-halfs and in some ways McCormack must be relieved that he doesn’t have to make a decision between Donaldson and Harrison, at least for this week.

“Yeah will be interesting to see how Benny jumps in – he’s obviously super talented but hasn’t actually played a lot of minutes this year,” McCormack said.

“But I’m confident he’ll slip in a do a good job, and with ‘Shorty’ (Mitch Short) at 9 and ‘Witza’ (Dave Horwitz) at 12 he’ll have some good support around him.

“Norths look to play a similar brand of footy to us so I think it will be a really entertaining game with some positive rugby.

“Their lock Dave Heneway looks dangerous and they obviously get a few extra troops back as well so it’ll be a good contest.”

Norths have also been able to welcome back some troops from the Waratahs with Cam Clark starting on the wing and Hugh Sinclair getting a run in the back row.

They have been able to use Pat Tafa in recent weeks and he has added much to the cause but he heads to Brisbane to visit family before heading off for a contract in Japan.

The only other change to the Norths starting XV is James Margan coming in at hooker for the bigger Gary Bautz who has done very well in the last couple of games.

Norths will look to Bautz to make some sort of impact off the bench.

The Shoremen came away from the game against Eastwood with a bonus point victory but conscious of the need for the side’s defence to click into gear against the Wicks.

“I thought that we deserved to come away with something from the game against Eastwood and you sometimes need a bit of luck in this game,” Norths coach Earl Va’a said.

“The way the game developed in that first half meant that we would have to win it with our attack and in some ways that’s how it went.”

Va’a is excited about working with Clark and Sinclair this week.

“The boys are loving working with these two guys and they have added lots to our preparation this week,” Va’a said.

“Cam connects so well with the guys, while Hugh with his experience has so much respect and mana within the club.”

Sinclair is more a blindside breakaway, lock or No.8 but will wear the No.7 jersey this week with Heinrich Brendell tweaking a calf at training this week.

Va’a added that they would need to shut down the Randwick attack to compete at Rat Park on Saturday.

“Their attack is exciting with some speedy and skilful players,” Va’a said.

“They also have a big emphasis on having as many players on their feet as possible which means that there aren’t many holes in their defensive line.”

The two sides look very evenly matched and only the efforts of someone like Maurice Longbottom from Randwick or the game management skills of Angus Sinclair tipping things one way or the other.

Randwick has lost two on the trot and with a bye before the end of the year will be keen to get the money here. A great game all round.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15):
German Haeffeli, James Margan, Dewald Dekker, Dave Henaway, Declan Carroll, Brad Hemopo, Hugh Sinclair, George Murrin, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey (c), Nathan Russell, Cam Clark, Max Burey.

RANDWICK (1-15):
Jake Turnbull, Dave Vea, George Hendry, Nathan Den Hoedt, Tom Nowlan, Tom Piroddi, Joe Feltis, Kyle Harris, Mitch Short, Ben Donaldson, Simon Kennewell, Dave Horwitz, Kristian Jensen, Triston Reilly, Maurice Longbottom.

LAST TIME: Randwick W 32-30 3 August, 2019.

EASTERN SUBURBS V SYDNEY UNI at Woollahra Oval

Eastern Suburbs coach Pauli Taumoepeau has called on his Shute Shield regulars to take the lead hand when they Beasties take on Sydney Uni in a critical game on Saturday.

Taumoepeau has been able to call three Waratahs into his side for the game against the Students with lock Tom Staniforth, centre Lalakai Foketi and outside back Alex Newsome now available.

The game will be season changing for the home side with a win over Uni, who sit above them on the competition table, essential to make the most of the past month.

Easts started the season slowly but only really started to show their true form against Northern Suburbs at home early last month.

Since then they have beaten Southern Districts and the Hunter Wildfires and appear to be coming together a lot more.

“Naturally I would like the Super Rugby guys to add value in their areas and to the overall performance,” Taumoepeau said

“But I’m hoping it’s the guys that have been playing Shute Shield that take the lead.

“Naturally our Super Rugby players can do that but you don’t want to dump too much on them.

“You want those guys coming into a team to add to it, not to take over it. Especially in their first game.”

That is natural enough when you consider that the Super Rugby guys have had little contact with the systems that Taumoepeau has been implementing.

These games have always been willing contest and this one is looming as just that with the Beasties within a win of breaking into the top six.

“Easts have been excellent over the past three weeks and they will be full of confidence after their dominant display against Souths on the weekend,” Uni coach Michael Hodge said.

“It’s an important match for them, as they sit just outside the six. Playing at home, and the inclusion of a few experienced Super Rugby players to their side, will just add to the spectacle!”

Hodge has been able to welcome back Nick Champion de Crespigny into his back row and his abrasive nature in defence and at the breakdown will add much to the Uni game.

“Nick brings a lot to our team. He’s always been a confrontational defender, but has added an element of attack and subtly this season, which provides our backs with quality, front foot ball,” Hodge added.

“We’re really comfortable with our one to 15 this week and are looking forward to the challenge of coming up a strong and confident Eastern Suburbs side.”

This will be a game of chances and the team that takes them will end up with the chocolates.

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Faaleliei Sione, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Archer Holz, Jeremy Williams, Tom Staniforth, Jack Digby, Charlie Gamble, Sam Shires, Jack Grant (c), Cohan Guerra, Richie Woolf, Lalakai Foketi, Henry Paterson, Alex Newsome/Dan Donato, Alex Newsome/Dan Donato.

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):
Thomas Osborne, Patrick O’Doherty, Darcy Breen, Luke Porter, Ratu Rotuisolia, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Jack McCalman, Rohan O’Regan, Banjo Travers, Connor O’Shea, Ofa Manuofetoa, Ben Hughes, Henry Clunies-Ross, Angus Bell, Tim Clements.

LAST TIME: Sydney Uni W 22-12 13 July, 2019

EASTWOOD V MANLY at TG Millner Field

Eastwood will put the Sir Roden Cutler Shield on the line when they take on a resurgent Manly on Saturday and Woods coach Ben Batger has a simple message for his side.

“Sometimes you focus on the opposition too much and as a coach I think I have been guilty of that,” Batger said.

“We just need to focus on what we do well because I know if we execute our game plan and play to our strengths we are a good chance of winning.

“Its our first defence of the Sir Roden Cutler Shield so we are excited about the game and Manly are coming off a good win so it should be a good game.”

Batger added: “I expect Manly to bring a very physical approach similar to how they played against Warringah.

“They have an experienced and tough pack so that will be a good test for our forwards and Harley Attwater has certainly helped their attack in the last few weeks.”

Manly are fronting up the TG Millner Field with the chance to go three wins on the bounce for the first time in a long time and Marlins coach Matt McGoldrick knows it will no easy task.

“Eastwood are not unalike Warringah in many ways – they can score from anywhere, their outside backs are extremely dangerous and they are just a good well rounded team,” McGoldrick said.

“They have a good set piece and we will have to be on our game. This is far from the time to sit back and think about what we achieved against the Rats last weekend.

“That is gone and we have to refocus and confront what is in front of us. It will be a great challenge.”

The Marlins sit eighth on the Shute Shield competition table and quite simply need to keep on winning to remain in the race to make the top six playoffs.

The formula that they used against the Rats though will a good place to start if they are to win this one.

That means their scrum will have to dominate and Attwater will have to keep the Woods deep in their own territory for much of the game.

They will also have to keep a close eye of young Tane Edmed as he can make things happen if given enough space and time.

The Woods will be without two of their 2020 movers and shakers for the rest of the season with Michael Icely and Lachlan Shelley gone until 2021.

Iceley broke an arm while Shelley broke his wrist and that is sure to test the Woods depth for the rest of the season.

“But we have Mark N back from the Waratahs bubble and our depth in the back row is good so this week Ratu Tuiesse gets his first starting chance in first grade and it will be good to see how he goes,” Batger added.

This is one that could go either way.

EASTWOOD (1-15):
Willie Leoso, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Ratu Tuisese, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawasa, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stoltz, Fabian Goodall, Chris Bell.

MANLY MARLINS (1-15):
Alefosio Tatola, James Hilterbrand, Conor Davidson, Max Douglas, Alex Dalzell, Harry Bergelin, Liam Ryan, Daniel Alley, Harry Emery, Harley Attwater, Fraser Toohey, James Parker, Michael Adams, Yool Yool, Jed Ibbotson.

LAST TIME: Eastwood W 40-24. 6 July 2019.

GORDON V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS at Chatswood Oval

Gordon are four points clear at the top of the Shute Shield competition table but they are approaching the game against Southern Districts on Saturday as a litmus test on where their premiership credentials sit.

The Highlanders lost their two starting tight head props – Rhys Brodie and Bosco xxxxx – against Randwick last weekend and won’t see them again in 2020.

There’s a truism in our game that says that the most important selection decision made each week centres around who plays tight head prop.

After that it’s who will come on to replace the tight head prop previously mentioned – after that you can work out the rest of the team without too much trouble.

Sean Dillon has been handed the keys for the Highlanders and will play a key role in the way that this game and the rest of the season pans out.

He will be helped by the presence of Robbie Abel, back from the Waratahs Super Rugby bubble, at hooker but Souths are sure to try and go from scrum to scrum and see what happens.

Souths have named Andrew Tuala, Joe Cotton and Tim Metcher as their starting front row but they can draw on the services of another Waratah Tetera Faulkner.

The Gordon game revolves around a very good set piece with many of their starter moves requiring a sound scrum or lineout and if this can be disrupted the home team here might be in the game longer than you would expect.

Gordon coach Darren Coleman said he was wary of the team that Souths named that did not have Waratah Tetera Faulkner in it.

“They will have Tetera Faulkner in there at either tight head or loose head,” Coleman said.

“It will be the best scrummaging front-row we will have played against so I can’t wait to see how our forwards stand up to this challenge.

“Souths are clear in how they want to play the game. They are fit, scrummage well, maul and pick and drive well and they rely on front foot ball off their big inside centre.

“Although they played with some new starter patterns against Easts last weekend I expect them to come thru the front door again. They do it well.”

“They just don’t want us to know what scrummaging combination they will start with as they have a few options.

“It limits your ability to prepare if you don’t what personnel and scrum types will come at you.

“That’s not ideal when you are playing a top six team who have had some big wins so we’ll work hard this week on our cohesion, try to muscle up and compete on every play to stay in the game.”

Souths coach Todd Louden said his side hadn’t put their best foot forward against Eastern Suburbs last weekend.

“We’ve been knocked around from injuries and barely been able to train this. Then on top of all that the Harry McLennan situation has really hit the club hard,” Louden said.

“The approach this week has been all about ourselves and putting up a performance to be proud of against Gordon.

“As I have said we are a young group and haven’t really got our head around other sides getting themselves up to play against which is something that hasn’t happened for a number of years.

“That in itself is good but it’s part of the learnings that we have been getting from this season.”

GORDON (1-15):
Brandon Faavae-Eli, Robbie Abel, Sean Dillon, Jack Margin, Ola Tauelangi, Tom Silk, James Lough, Jordy Goddard (c), Harrison Goddard, Rod Iona, Ahmu Tuimalealifano, Ellis Abrahams, Joey Walton, Oli Smealie, Lucas Price.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):
Andrew Tuala, Joe Cotton, Tim Metcher, Max Freeman, Jake Douglas, Phil Potgieter, James Finch, Sama Malolo, Sam Harris, Liam Moseley, Deon Evans-Ao, Christian Kagiassis, Nathan Lawson, Daniel Bell, Brandon Finnegan.

LAST TIME: Gordon W 24-21. 29 June, 2019.

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES V HUNTER WILDFIRES at Lidcombe Oval

Hunter Wildfires coach Scott Coleman isn’t worried about the physicality of his side as they prepare to take on the Western Sydney Two Blues but he’s keen for someone to unlock their attack.

This week he has gone with the skilful Brendon Holliday who has been performing well in the Wildfires reserve grade over the past few weeks.

Holliday started the season for the Hunter side in the top grade but succumbed to a calf injury and Coleman felt that it was time for him to come back into the side and call the shots.

“I could have went with Carl, but Brendan has been good in second grade for the past couple of weeks,” Coleman told the Newcastle Herald’s James Gardiner.

“He lost his confidence for a little bit. It is hard for any nine and ten when you are going backwards and not getting much ball.

“We have improved in that facet and with front-foot ball, Holliday is dangerous.

“Also, I wanted to keep Carl at 13 because he is our best option there. I didn’t want to rob Peter to pay Paul.”

Coleman is wary of the Two Blues coming at his side at scrum time

“They are strong at set piece and very physical,” he said.

The Wildfires have benefited from the rest and reflection that the bye has given them and had focused on finishing the year off well.

“The last two or three games we have been close and then been blown away in 10-minute periods,” he said.

“The break came at the perfect time. Tuesday night was one of our best sessions and it was all player driven.

“Hopefully we have turned the corner. We have five games left and want to finish mid table.”

The Two Blues are coping with a few niggles that you would expect at this time of the season but there is a spring in their step after their first win of the year.

Two Blues coach Joel Rivers is hoping that his side gets out to a good lead and then goes on with it.

There was a lot to like about 36-29 win over the Emus but the Two Blues did take the pedal off the accelerator in the second half that saw them come back into the contest.

Like the Wildfires, the Two Blues will be looking to their No.10 to keep the pot boiling on the weekend.

Garrett has been a great pick up for them and has been in good touch over the past month or so.

“ Rory has played a good tactical game for the past couple of games,” Rivers said.

“His deep corner kicks and control in the second half relieved a lot of pressure and his goal kicking has been on point over the last few weeks so that has also helped a lot.

“Goal kicking will be important on Saturday when it comes to manintsaining momentum or dragging teams back into the contest.”

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES (1-15):
Jacob Delailoa, Nick Blacklock, Kalafi Pongi (c), Tuitakau Kioa, Tevita Vea, Sione Fifita, Riley Jacobson, Peni Tuitupou, Liam Tully, Rory Garrett, Niko Dalivusa, Phillip Pale, Zac Campton, Jordan Williams, Michael Zakhia.

HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15):
David Puchert, Phillip Bradford, Gerant Weaver, Jeremy Burrill, Sevanaia Rokobara, Alec Corcoran, Shawn Ingle, George Noa, Mahe Fangupo, Brendan Holliday, Hayden Cole, Taulogo Lalaga, Carl Manu, Nimilote Qio, Chad Northcott.

LAST TIME: not applicable.

PENRITH V WEST HARBOUR at Nepean Rugby Park

The results may not have come as they would have liked but West Harbour can see major improvements in their Shute Shield side that will pay off down the track.

Wests have had only one win so far (against Manly in Round xxx at Drummoyne Oval) but have certainly managed to compete with the bigger side further up the competition table.

That day a lot of things came together with their expected scrum dominance combining well with the skills of flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini well along with the endeavour of their centre pairing.

Wests coach mark Gudmunson is a great fan of the way that Pellegrini is working away at his game.

“It’s great to see him getting better each week,” Gudmunson said.

“But he is still finding a balance between role to run a game and also supplement that with his running game.

“But we have been happy with the way that he has been coming along.”

The target this week is Penrith at the foot of the mountains and Gudmunson knows that this won’t be one of those games where you turn up and claim the points.

“This week was always going to be tough, to come up against a team that is improving each week and that will be firing on all cylinders.

“I expect them to come at us really hard and try and rattle us.

“They have a few players that have been in our program over the last few years, so they will be prepared for everything we throw at them.”

Penrith weren’t that far off the pace against the Two Blues last weekend looking good in attack and being able to get their nose in front for much of the first half.

They did lapse just after the break and struggled against a side that kicked well against them b ut there were some diamonds amongst the rocks.

Dean Blore continues to develop while Jeremiah Fa’amausili keeps bobbing up in attack.

Their scrum will have to go the distance though and that may not happen so how they cope with the cuts that that part of the game inflicts will be the story of the game.

Gudmunson added: “The guys are really excited to see some more improvement on top of what we have shown in the last three rounds and see how we can finish the season off.”

PENRITH (1-15):
David Tifa, John Pene, Macia Latabua, Sosifa Funaki, Willie Tooala, Andrew Fiagatusa, John Tuivaiti, Mathew Faoagali, Terry Fanolua, Dean Blore, Jeremiah Fa’amausili, Luke Nadurutalo, Api Bera, Masi Fidow, Joseph Faoagali.

WEST HARBOUR (1-15):
Sonny Satuala, Navi Bolatigici, Cameron Betham, Etienne Oosthuizen, Jordan Sharp, Damien Flemming, Kaliova Nacina, Francis Iremia Saufio, Dion Spice, Patrick Pellegrini, James Turner, Tavite Gadeisuva, Connor Chittenden, Justin Tuvae, Josh Petero.

LAST TIME: not applicable.

WARRINGAH has the bye

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON