The final round of the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield sees the second local derby round of the year take place across Sydney, making for some passionate encounters to finish the regular season.

While the top six has already been decided, the final positions heading into the first week of the finals have yet to be determined with much riding on this weekend’s matches.

Saturday 30 August 2008
RANDWICK (4th) V EASTERN SUBURBS (3rd) at Coogee Oval (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
With Easts leading Randwick by just two points on the competition ladder, the ABC TV Match of the Day will determine who finishes higher going into week one of the finals.

Randwick won the first meeting between these two sides 35-32 in Round 11, and this match is expected to be just as tight.

The Wicks are coming off a 15-point loss to Sydney University, while Easts are looking to make it ten wins in a row to build their momentum even further coming into the finals.
Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Atonio Halangahu, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steve Brennan, 5. Mark Chisholm; 6. Mat Whittleston, 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Stephen Hoiles; 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Tim Walsh; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Dane Inman, 13. Bernie Orbell, 14. Francis Fainifo; 15. Matt Nethery.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Rob McMicken, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. Aaron Tawera; 4. Tom Egan [c], 5. Richard Stanford; 6. Ed Brenac, 7. Tim McGann, 8. Will Brock; 9. Luke Irwin, 10. James McSeveny; 11. Clyde Rathbone, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Lloyd Jones, 14.Afusipa Taumeopeau; 15. Gavin Debartolo.
Referee: Nathan Pearce

NORTHERN SUBURBS (10th) V GORDON (2nd) at North Sydney Oval (3:00pm)
While this match has no bearing on the final outcome of the competition, pride will certainly be on the line in this hard-fought local derby.
The Shoremen have had a disappointing season but could still finish the season as high as ninth with a win this weekend.

Gordon have secured second place on the ladder already, and while they are already assured of a week off to start the finals, the Highlanders will be looking to keep to their winning ways entering the business end of the season.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Joey Lynch, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Nick Lah; 4. Tyler Hotson, 5. Chris Thomson, 6. Peter Kimlin, 7. Will Hunt [c], 8. Julian Salvi; 9. James Price, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Dan Watson-Wood, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Corey Brown; 15. Sam Norton-Knight.
Gordon: 1. Dan Butler, 2. Nath Nicol, 3. Steve Taylor; 4. Nifo Nifo, 5. Kingsley Seale; 6. Paulie Tuala; 7. Craig Thomas, 8. Billy Ratu; 9. Vinnie Byrne, 10. Dave Harvey; 11. Terry Preston, 12. Billy Rainima, 13. Sinclair Fischer-Grey, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Mark Preston.
Referee: Ian Smith

WEST HARBOUR (6th) V EASTWOOD (7th) at Concord Oval (3:00pm)
Last West Harbour  ended Eastwood’s finals campaign and will be looking to maintain winning form this week at Concord Oval.
With an outside chance of slipping into fifth position the Pirates will need to overcome a 42-29 loss to the Woods in Round 11, but come into this clash having scored over 90 points in the last two weeks.

Eastwood have little to play for other than pride in the final round of the competition, but with a strong line-up from 1 to 15 will no doubt be looking to finish 2008 on a high.
West Harbour: 1. Campese Ma’afu, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Michael Rigney; 4. Mitch Hardy, 5. Ben Lonsdale; 6. Dan Thomas, 7. Mark Porpiglia, 8. James King; 9. Steve Massey, 10. Dave Paurini; 11. Nick Reily, 12. David Tautaoilefue, 13. Lester Salanoa, 14. John Sinisa; 15. Ben Martin [c].
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Marty Wilson, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Gareth Palamo, 7. Ben Coridas, 8. Josh Dunning; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Rowan Kellam; 11. Nick Batger, 12. Tim Corcoran, 13. Hugh Perrett [c], 14. Ben Batger; 15. John Grant.
Referee: George Ayoub

MANLY (8th) V WARRINGAH (5th) at Manly Oval (3:00pm)
Warringah produced a late burst to overcome Manly when these two sides met in Round 11, and if this match is half as good as that encounter then the fans at Manly Oval are set for a fantastic clash.

Warringah could finish anywhere from fourth to sixth dependent on results in the final round of the competition, while Manly’s eighth place will not change regardless of the outcome of this weekend’s results.

With Dan Raymond unavailable this week Clint Eadie will lead the Rats, while Josh Gamgee – one of Manly’s best when these sides last met – is back for the Marlins.
Manly: 1. Reuben Bijl [c], 2. Elvis Taione, 3. James Lakepa; 4.Sean Maloney, 5. Dylan Sigg; 6. Daniel Collins, 7. Will Brame, 8. Mark Fisher; 9. Paul Sheedy, 10. Josh Gamgee; 11. Leon Bott, 12. Luke Johnson, 13. Tyrone Smith, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D’Arcy.
Warringah: 1. Morgan Basham, 2. Dave Mason, 3. Pingi Talaapitaga; 4. Scott Fardy, 5. Sitaleki Timani; 6. Andrew Rasmus, 7. Beau Robinson, 8. Ross Duncan; 9. Scott Bradley, 10. Brock McGarity; 11. Ed Doyle, 12. Clint Eadie [c], 13. Pat McCabe, 14. Shaun Killian; 15. Mark Gerrard.
Referee: James Leckie

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (12th) V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) at Forshaw Rugby Park (3:00pm)
On the ladder and on paper there is a difference in class between these two teams but the Rebels will be looking to put in a strong performance to end the season as they take on the competition front-runners.

The Southern Districts pack matches up well with the Students, and if they can contain the Uni backline could stay in the game for extended periods.

Daniel Halangahu had one of his best matches for 2008 last week against Randwick, and if he can maintain that form heading into a week off, University will once again be looking the goods to raise the Shute Shield.
Southern Districts: 1. Nic Henderson, 2. James McCormack [c], 3. Guy Shepherdson; 4. Liam Dwyer, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. Matt Trouville; 9. Rob Chrystie, 10. Matt Adair; 11. Ben Rigon, 12. Michael McLeod, 13. Michael Black, 14. Nathan Dwyer; 15. Tim Small.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. Al Campbell, 5. Lachlan McCutcheon; 6. Hugh Hawkins, 7. Jono Jenkins, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Daniel Halangahu; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Leo Afeaki, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Nick Edwards; 15. Nathan Trist.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson

Sunday 31 August 2008
PARRAMATTA (9th) V PENRITH (11th) at Two Blues Park (3:00pm)
Sunday afternoon Rugby returns to Two Blues Park for the final match of the regular season with Parramatta hosting Penrith.

The Two Blues have had a strong season, and while they will not feature in the playoffs will be hopeful of a strong performance in the final round.

Penrith scored 41 points against West Harbour last week, however defence will again be their true test, but the Emus do have the confidence of a 26-24 victory over Parramatta in Round 11 to take into this clash.
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. Tom Woods; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Dave Alo, 13. Paula Kaveinga, 14. Brian Sefanaia; 15. Ben Borg.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Elvis Levi, 3. Nick Barber; 4. Shemaiah Evans, 5. Liam Winton; 6. Rodney Ma’a, 7. Rob Carlson, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Jeremy Su’a, 10. Jono Rolfe [c]; 11.Nick Richardson, 12. Michael Paulo, 13. Patrick Mekuri, 14. Henry Lilomaiava; 15. Solomona Fainifo.
Referee: Grant MacNeill

---