By MARK CASHMAN

The Shute Shield hits the halfway mark as we head into Round Six of the best club competition in the country.

Lots of highlight games about with the battle of the brothers between the Hunter Wildfires and Gordon the 7TWO TV match of the round.

Elsewhere the dominant teams of the past two decades Eastwood and Sydney Uni will clash at TG Millner Field, Easts meet Norths at Woollahra Oval, Souths play Randwick at Forshaw Rugby Park and Wests meet Manly at Drummoyne Oval.

In the other game Warringah travel to Nepean Rugby Park to take on Penrith.

Here’s what the coaches think about all the action:

HUNTER WILDFIRES v GORDON at Newcastle No.2 Sportsground

The Hunter Wildfires hosting the front running Gordon side was always going to have its fair share of banter with the Coleman brothers – Scott and Darren – going at it much like their backyard footy games that played out many moons ago.

Well it hasn’t disappointed with the younger brother (Scott) throwing out a series of good natured jibes and setting a number of booby traps for the older brother (Darren) when he stays at his Newcastle home on Friday night.

Opposition coaches being matey is not unusual but it is irregular when they stay the night before a game in the home of the one whose downfall they are plotting.

The whole Coleman clan is coming together for a dinner and catchup from all points on the globe (Forbes and South West Rocks) on the Friday night at Scott’s place.

All in all there will 13 extra bodies on Friday night and when Rugby News spoke to Wildfires boss ‘Bubba’ Coleman in the lead up to Saturday’s 7TWO match of the round he was unsure of how the head count and the bed count would match up.

“I’m not too sure where Darren is sleeping at the moment – he might be out the back outside with the dog,” the younger Coleman said.

“The brothers reckon that I should slip him a ‘mickey’ in his beer on Friday night to try and take the edge off the way that he coaches on Saturday but we’ll just have to see.

“Anyway it will be great to have him in town. I’m not sure what time his flight on the private jet gets in but we will see him when we see him.”

On a slightly more serious front ‘Bubba’ says the Wildfires will have to throw something completely different at a Gordon side that is in form and rightly considered the favourites for the title.

“Darren’s a bit of video Nazi and he will know everything that we have done so far this year so yes we will have to throw something different at them to stay in the fight,” he said.

“We know that we can match it with them physically but when teams get the speed of their ruck ball up that is where we struggle.

“But as I have spoken about all week at training we’ve got absolutely nothing to lose. We will got out there and give it a crack.

“We’re the Datsun 180B taking on a Ferrari – looking forward to the weekend.”

Brother Darren is well aware of the challenges of the weekend.

“Be an interesting weekend staying with the opposition coach. I’m sure there’ll be traps and hazards throughout the lodgings just like game day,” Darren said.

“The Wildfires will need to be extinguished early otherwise it will be a very tough game if we allow them to stay alight and in the game.

“Looking forward to returning to Newcastle mostly for the free post game beer provided by the losing coach – been a very long time since he’s shouted.”

This is the first of four games for the Highlanders on the road and the big drive norths is sure to present its challenges.
Gordon have tweaked their team this week a little, thru some minor injuries but as ’DC’ says they are expecting good energy from the new faces getting their chance.

Rodney Iona will lead the side with Jordy Goddard on the bench.

“Rodney has proven himself to be an excellent tactician since arriving and the boys respect and trust him to make the right decisions,” Darren added.

HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15):
David Puchert, Phillip Bradford, Nicholas Dobson, Adam Edwards, Sevanaia Rokobara, Ben Ham, Shawn Ingle, George Noa, Mahe Fangupo, Michael Moloney, Rob Buserau, Taulogo Lalaga, Carl manu, Nimilote Qio, Chad Northcott.

GORDON (1-15):
Brandon Faavae-Eli, Mahe Vailanu, John Bosco Tagaloa, Ola Tauelangi, Peter Chanel Tagaloa, Jack Maguire, Tom Silk, Brendan Mitchell, Harrison Goddard, Rod Iona (c), Brandon Quinn, Ellis Abrahams, Tautalatasi Tasi, Mark O’Dare, Reece McDonald.

LAST TIME: not applicable

EASTERN SUBURBS v NORTHERN SUBURBS at Woollahra Oval

Two big ins for the home side and two big outs for the side that’s paying the bridge toll. That’s pretty much the story of the vital game between Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs on Saturday.

Ryan McCauley and Charlie Gamble have been released from the Waratah bubble and will play some sort of role for the Beasties this weekend, while on the red and black side of things skipper Nick Palmer and tight head prop Isaac Cavu will be missing.

Palmer copped a heavy knock against the Hunter Wildfires and was blue carded, while Cavu, just running into a bit of form, twanged a hamstring going for a turnover in what was a highly-physical game.

‘Sticksy’ could be out for two maybe three weeks while Cavu looks like being sidelined for more than a month.

Norths like most clubs is not long on depth in the locking department and will look to club co-captain Declan Carroll to fill the hole. Jayden Lynch comes in for Cavu after Dewald Dekker failed a fitness test on Thursday night.

“This is a great opportunity for Declan to stand up and make a statement about where his game is at,” Norths coach Earl Va’a said.

“I wouldn’t think that the surface at Woollahra is a factor but having said that it suits the way that we like to play the game. I haven’t seen it but I hear it’s pretty top shelf.”

Norths’ defence worked hard throughout the win over the Wildfires staying well connected and scrambling well when needed.

Scrumhalf Nick Duffy was vocal when needed in this department and gave Norths good ruck and maul speed and that in the end really tired out the Hunter side.

It will be interesting to see how Easts coach Pauli Taumoepeau uses McCauley and Gamble with the most likely option being coming off the bench to add momentum in the second half on Saturday.

“Was good to have them back with us albeit for one session this week, but we’re all excited to have them around again,” Taumoepeau said.

“Norths have had an unreal start to their season which no doubt builds confidence.

“You’ve only got to look at the ladder to know we’ve been the opposite but there’s a sense of confidence in our ability to change these close losses to a win through some hard work.”

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Vunipola Fifita/F. Sione, Moli Sooaemalelagi/L. Stevens, Archer Holz, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Jeremy Williams, Jack Digby, Charlie Smith, Sam Shires, Jack Grant (c), Cophan Guerra, Sam Fogarty, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Henry Paterson, Richie Woolf, Daniel Donato.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Jack Brewer, James Margan, Jayden Lynch, Dave Henaway, Declan Carroll, Brad Hemopo, Heinrich Brendel, George Murrin, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Tom Gilbert, Max Burey.

LAST TIME: Northern Suburbs W 18-17 June 8, 2019.

EASTWOOD v SYDNEY UNI at TG Millner Field

A lot of the attention in recent seasons has been around the big northern beaches derby between Manly and Warringah but Eastwood coach Ben Batger believes that “the biggie” is elsewhere this weekend.

Batger says that the Eastwood v Sydney Uni clash on Saturday is THE biggest game of Shute Shield season.

“People talk about the big clash between Manly and Warringah but that’s a local derby,” Batger said.

“But Eastwood v Uni is the battle of the two heavyweights of the last 20 years who respect each other immensely but also hate losing to each other.”

And looking back through the honour roll it’s pretty tough to argue with him – barring Northern Suburbs in 2016 and Warringah in 2017 – it’s been a Woods and Uni show for the past couple of decades.

Batger believes that the Woods are moving in the right direction and that they will get a good gauge about where they are at on Saturday.

“I think Souths showed you have to take it to Uni physically and you have to stay in the fight,” Batger said.

“They are going to get on top of you at some stage and you need to able to fight through those hard periods.

“You also have to take your opportunities – their defence is so good they don’t give you many chances to score.

“I’m hoping some of our big ball carriers can test them out then let the speed and creative players take over.”

In creative players Batger is referring to his young flyhalf Tane Edmed who is adapting to senior footy quite well and his fullback Chris Bell.

He is also getting some pay out of Tim Anstee, who made his starting debut last weekend and scored three tries as well as big No.8 Sione Tau who carries well.

Sydney Uni coach Michael Hodge is wary of the Woods’ long kicking game and their big bodies in the middle of the field.

“It’s a special one at TG (Millner Field) and there is always plenty of feeling from both sides,” Hodge said.

“Eastwood have looked good over the last month and I’m sure will be happy to be back at home. They’ve got a long kicking game and big bodies in the middle that can wear you down.

“We will be looking to do all the little things well this week, as we know they’ll punish our mistakes.

“I’m never one to say losses are a good thing, but there’s been an extra bit of spice on the training field this week. I’m sure it will be fiery!”

EASTWOOD (1-15):
Willie Leoso, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Michael Icely, Tom Murphy, Sione Tau, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Lachlan Shelley, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stoltz, Fabian Goodall, Chris Bell.

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, James Kane, Will McDonnell, Henry Clunies-Ross, James Armstrong, Tim Clements.

LAST TIME: Sydney Uni W 24-11 June 22, 2019.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS v RANDWICK at Forshaw Rugby Park

Southern Districts coach Todd Louden says a good all round defensive effort and just hanging in the contest will be the key to getting a good result against Randwick on Saturday.

Souths came away from Uni with a bonus point victory after riding their luck and rolling in a try in the 85th minute of lapsed time last weekend.

The win is affirmation of what they are trying to achieve at Forshaw under Louden but a new week means all sorts of new challenges.

“We’re trying not to put too much pressure on ourselves in these type of games but it is going to take a great defensive effort to go well against Randwick,” Louden said.

“Randwick in some ways is a lot like Randwick, the like to move the ball around a fair bit and their basics up front are good.

“Last week we got a bit of luck at times but we also created enough opportunities to be ahead at full-time so that we reckon is a good thing.”

The Rebels will have to do the job against the Galloping Greens with opensider Harry McLennan forced out of the side on Thursday night.

Dom McGrath, who scored the final two tries against Uni, comes in for McLennan and will have to step up in skill and all round toughness.

“Harry’s been part of the reason why we have been getting the results that we have been getting but there is every confidence in the job that Dom will do,” Louden added.

Randwick coach Ben McCormack is wary of the ambush that Souths could well be setting for his side.

“But we are looking forward to the challenge,” McCormack said.

“Souths look pretty clinical, play good field position have a good set piece and maul and they retain possession really well so we will need to be on our game.”

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):
Laurence Tominiko, Joe Cotton, Tim Metcher, Isoa Nasilasila, Jake Douglas, Philip Potgieter, Dominic McGrath, Nick Brown, Sam Harris, Matt Teki, Apaola Tea Lama, Viliami Latu, Nathan Lawson, Deon Evans-Ao, Christian Kagiassis.

RANDWICK (1-15):
Jake Turnbull, Dave Vea, Tirana Tauakipulu, Tom Piroddi, Nathan Den Hoedt, Kyle Harris, Christian Poidevin, Joe Feltis, Tyzac Jordan, Dave Horwitz, Dylan Pietsch, Kristian Jensen, Simon Kennewell, Triston Reilly, Locky Miller.

LAST TIME: Southern Districts W 34-19 July 6, 2019.

WEST HARBOUR v MANLY at Drummoyne Oval

Manly Marlins coach Matt McGoldrick has no illusions about the challenge that West Harbour will be for his side on Saturday.

Wests have been that side that have looked more than handy on paper but just haven’t been able to get the results on the board and McGoldrick wants to make sure that this week isn’t a turning point.

Across the field both sides match up quite well and it certainly looms as a game that will have lots of robust contact and if we can take a form line from the last time they played a fair whack of points.

McGoldrick has also rewarded a number of their reserve grade side who have looked pretty good at times with Gafa Sua getting a start at hooker with James Hilterbrand dropping back to the bench and Jed Ibbotson the starting No.15.

The other significant change is the inclusion of Harry Emery at scrum half and the selection marks his return after a niggling battle with a quad injury.

“We’ve had a decent week of training and Harley (Attwater) will have had another week in the saddle learning the way that we want to play,” McGoldrick said.

“Wests will be tough that’s for sure but the key to us getting a good result will be to nail our basics for longer periods.

“Get our attack moving forward, limit their opportunities. You know all the usual stuff.”

West coach Mark Gudmunson see sthis game as another oppsotunriy to get his side’s season underway.

“We have had another really good week on the field,” Gudmunson said.

“There have been a few niggles but at the end of the day that just gives an opportunity to someone else to make their mark.

“Manly are improving each week and we will need to be on to challenge them.

“We will continue to improve each week and keep working hard. We can’t wait.”

WEST HARBOUR (1-15):
Sonny Satuala, Tonga Tangitau, Cameron Betham, Visiano Vaheo, Etienne Oosthuizen, Damien Flemming, Kaliova Nacina, Francis Iremia Saufio, Dion Spice, Patrick Pellegrini, James Turner, Tavite Gadeisuva, Connor Chittenden, Rod Davies, Josh Petero.

MANLY MARLINS (1-15):
Alefosio Tatola, Gafa Sua, Conor Davidson, Max Douglas, Alex Dalzell, Harry Bergelin, Mitch Tye, Dan Alley, Harry Emery, Harley Attwater, Fraser Toohey, Hutana Coffin, Dennis Pili-Gaitau, Yool Yool, Jed Ibbotson.

LAST TIME: 42-42 draw July 27, 2019.

PENRITH v WARRINGAH at Nepean Rugby Park

As a coach you can only bring them out on selected occasions and Warringah boss Mike Ruthven played his last weekend as his side floundered in the first half against West Harbour.

We’re talking about the halftime spray and Ruthven really ripped in at the break, highlighting the areas of the game that weren’t being executed properly in a tone that had most effect.

That really drove home the message and the Rats returned to the field and got their act into gear and finished off a very credible West Harbour side.

Ruthven is hoping that there will no need for any of that sort of stuff this weekend as the Rats travel to the foot of the mountains to take on an improving Penrith side.

“We are heading to Penrith this week expecting another really willing contest,” Ruthven said.

“Half-time scorelines have suggested Penrith have been right in each of their contests so there is no place for complacency this week.

“We have a clear plan on how we want to approach the game and if we execute that well we are confident in getting a good result.

“Obviously we will need to be up for the physical battle, Penrith feed off winning those contests.

“We have had a few boys succumb to niggling injuries, so it provides a great opportunity for those boys coming in to have a positive impact on the team.”

There is a major link between the two clubs centring around the tragic death of Lachlan Ward as well as the manoeuvring to get them back into the competition this year.

The Emus were scheduled to play the Rats two weeks after Ward’s passing in 2017 and in the wake of that game paid a special tribute.

The Emus players, most of whom were Pacific Islanders, kneeled in the centre of the field, and commenced to sing.

The entire ground fell silent as the harmony of a tribute song for Lachlan Ward reverberated across the ground.

This is the first time since that time that the two clubs have met. It will be a stirring ocassion.

PENRITH (1-15):
David Tifa, Delahoya Manu, Macia Latabua, Timoci Wasarua, Sevanaia Nadruku, Giordano Patea, John Tuivaiti, Sosifa Funaki, Terry Fanolua, Dean Blore, Jeremiah Fa’amasili, Luke Nadurutalo, Riley Alcorn, Jale Seninawanawa, Masi Fidow.

WARRINGAH (1-15):
Sateki Latu, Wes Thomas, Wayne Borsak, Andrew Davies, Alex O’Dell, Rory Suttor, Charlie McKill, Mungo Mason, Josh Holmes, Tom Halse, Ezera Chee-Kam, Tyson Davis, Seb Wileman (c), Ben Woolett, Ben Marr.

LAST TIME: not applicable

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES have the bye

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN / GORDON RUGBY