Northern Suburbs are facing arguably their most important match of the season when they take on Warringah in the Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 14 ABC TV Match of the Day.

While the four top-ranked sides in the competition are playing teams in the bottom half of the table, Norths need victory to stay in touch with the top six while Eastern Suburbs could edge closer to the finals with an upset over Eastwood.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (10th) V WARRINGAH (6th) at North Sydney Oval (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
Victory for Northern Suburbs will be paramount when they take on Warringah at North Sydney Oval.

While a win for the Shoremen will still see them a couple of wins outside the top six, a loss could place them as far as 19 points away from finals contention with eight rounds to play.

Without Wallabies Ben Alexander, Al Baxter and Adam Ashley-Cooper, Norths will need to step up against a formidable Warringah pack which includes Huia Edmonds, Cameron Treloar and former Shoreman Beau Robinson.

A win is also vital for Warringah who, pending the Eastwood-Easts result, could go as high as fifth with victory or even drop out of the top six with a loss.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Joey Lynch, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Tim Archibald; 4. Tyler Hotson, 5. Anthony Reed, 6. James Fitzgerald, 7. David Maunsell, 8. Al McFarland; 9. Steve Evans [c], 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Ryno Delport, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Anthony Shortis; 15. Corey Brown.
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. Huia Edmonds, 3. Pingi Talaapitaga; 4. Cameron Treloar, 5. Scott Flint; 6. Scott Fardy, 7. Beau Robinson, 8. Andrew Rasmus; 9. Sam Hutcherson, 10. Brock McGarity; 11. Ed Doyle, 12. Clint Eadie, 13. Pat McCabe, 14. Dave Willan; 15. Willie Bishop.
Referee: Julian Pritchard

EASTERN SUBURBS (7th) V EASTWOOD (5th) at Woollahra Oval (3:00pm)
Eastern Suburbs will be looking to repeat their round three victory over Eastwood and possibly return to the top six when they host the Woodies at Woollahra Oval.

The Beasts have named Brumbies rookie Matt Toomua at flyhalf and have an experienced backline with Wallaby Clyde Rathbone on the wing and USA fullback Gavin Debartolo in the No.15 jersey.

Eastwood continue to improve each round and will be keen to keep their winning form despite the departure of Chris Hickey who took up full-time duties with the Waratahs this week.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Mike Ross, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. Aaron Tawera; 4. Tom Egan [c], 5. Hamish Irving; 6. Ed Brenac, 7. Tim McGann, 8. Will Brock; 9. Luke Irwin, 10. Matt Toomua; 11. Clyde Rathbone, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton LaVin, 14.John Collignon; 15. Gavin Debartolo.
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Marty Wilson, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Seva Rokobaro, 7. Hugh Perrett [c], 8. Josh Dunning; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Chris Donnelly; 11. Filipo Toala, 12. Tim Corcoran, 13. Rowan Kellam, 14. Jesse Leota; 15. Ben Batger.
Referee: Grant MacNeill
GORDON (2nd) V PENRITH (11th) at Chatswood Oval (3:00pm)
Gordon will look to edge closer to top spot on the Tooheys New Shute Shield table when they host Penrith at Chatswood Oval.

The Highlanders are now just three points adrift of the Students and continue to creep up on the defending champions courtesy of bonus point victories.

The Emus form has dropped off since their Round 11 upset over Parramatta however they will be keen to hit back with a strong performance after scoring 30 points against Gordon in their first meeting this year.
Gordon: 1. Ofa Fainga’anuku, 2. Alex Gluth, 3. Marty Plokstys; 4. Sione Vea, 5. Nifo Nifo; 6. Ed Gower [c], 7. Craig Thomas, 8. Viliame Ratu; 9. Vinnie Byrne, 10. Dave Harvey; 11. Terry Preston, 12. Billy Rainima, 13. Matt McDougall, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Mark Preston.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Elvis Levi, 3. Lamarn Ma’a; 4. Shemaiah Evans, 5. Shannan Rushworth; 6. Rodney Ma’a, 7. Rob Carlson, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Jeremy Su’a, 10. Jono Rolfe; 11. Nick Richardson, 12. Patrick Mekuri, 13. Sia’a Taveuveu [c], 14. Brent Varga; 15. Solomona Fainifo.
Referee: Daniel Cheever

PARRAMATTA (8th) V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) at Two Blues Park (3:00pm)
Sydney University will need to be on top of their game to overcome a determined Parramatta outfit at Two Blues Park in order to maintain their top spot on the competition table.

While this match would seem to be a foregone conclusion to many, Parramatta has troubled even the best defences this year and if they can maintain their own defensive structure could cause the Students some problems.

Sydney University’s side is extremely strong from 1-15 and nothing less than a bonus point victory will satisfy them, so expect the defending champions to be fired up.
Parramatta: 1. Kris Zvirbulis, 2. Scott Podmore, 3. Matt Toli; 4. Andrew Brown [c], 5. Steve Mafi; 6. Andrew Cox, 7. Winney Paulo, 8. Junior To’o; 9. Luke Tabatoa, 10. Josh Weeks; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Brian Sefanaia, 13. Paula Kaveinga, 14. Roland Herea; 15. Ben Borg.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. Lachlan McCutcheon, 5. David Fungalei; 6. Pat McCutcheon, 7. Jono Jenkins, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Dan P Kelly; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Lachlan Mitchell, 13. Leo Afeaki, 14. Lachlan Rosengreen; 15. Nathan Trist.
Referee: Andrew Lees
WEST HARBOUR (4th) V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (12th) at Concord Oval (3:00pm)
West Harbour went within five points of a dramatic upset against Sydney University last week and will be looking to maintain that form at home against Southern Districts.

The Pirates had to come from behind to beat the Rebels in Round Three, however since that clash in April West Harbour has vastly improved and Southern Districts have dropped to the bottom of the table.

John Sinisa will be looking to add to his 16 tries for 2008 and will be a strong chance of doing so against the Rebels defence which is leaking over 39 points per game.

If Souths are to trouble West Harbour it will be up front, the Rebels fielding the only all-Super 14 front row in the competition with Nic Henderson, James McCormack and Dan Palmer.
West Harbour: 1. Michael Rigney, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Luke Hunter; 4. Damian Lloyd, 5. Ben Lonsdale; 6. James King, 7. Mark Porpiglia, 8. Isaiah Pine; 9. Steve Massey, 10. Dave Paurini; 11. Nick Reily, 12. Lester Salanoa, 13. Rory Sidey, 14. John Sinisa; 15. Ben Martin [c].
Southern Districts: 1. Nic Henderson, 2. James McCormack [c], 3. Dan Palmer; 4. Greg Thomas, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. Grant Trouville; 9. Tim Small, 10. Michael Black; 11. Michael Ashby, 12. Jackson Mullane, 13. Luke Milton, 14. Dennis Pili; 15. Andrew Barrett.
Referee: James Scholtens

RANDWICK (3rd) V MANLY (9th) at Coogee Oval (3:00pm)
Randwick were disappointing in their 35-point loss to Gordon last week however they field a much stronger team against Manly at Coogee Oval.

The Wicks welcome back powerhouse winger Ratu Nasiganiyavi, Brumbies back Gene Fairbanks while Australia A’s Pat Phibbs will control from the scrumbase.

Manly are flying high after a big victory over Souths last week with Super 14 Rookie of the Year Tyrone Smith a huge asset in the Marlins midfield.
Randwick: 1. Ben Rowe, 2. Atonio Halangahu, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steve Brennan, 5. Ben Toleafoa; 6. Mat Whittleston, 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Chris Houston [c]; 9. Patrick Phibbs, 10. Gene Fairbanks; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Bernie Orbell, 13. Michael Berne, 14. David Batiratu; 15. Francis Fainifo.
Manly: 1. Reuben Bijl [c], 2. Elvis Taione, 3. James Lakepa; 4.Gareth Inches, 5. Dylan Sigg; 6. Daniel Collins, 7. Will Brame, 8. Mark Fisher; 9. Paddy Pearce, 10. Josh Gamgee; 11. Luke Johnson, 12. Tyrone Smith, 13. Jarrod Murphy, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D’Arcy.
Referee: Damien Mitchelmore

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