The penultimate round of the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield will be a crucial one for many teams with playoff spots still up for grabs, and teams in the top six striving to finish as high as possible on the table.

The ABC TV Match of the Day sees what some believe will be the Grand Finalists going around with the Students playing host to Randwick, while the other crucial game sees West Harbour hopeful of securing a finals position with a win over Penrith

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) V RANDWICK (3rd) at University Oval No.1. (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)

Sydney University may have dropped just two matches this year, however one of them was to Randwick in Round 10 and they will

Jono Jenkins - Paul Seiser photography

The defending champions come into the match high on confidence after wrapping up the minor premiership with two weeks remaining.

Randwick have lost Morgan Turinui and Adam Freier for this clash, however still feature a lot of experience throughout the side, setting the scene for one of the matches of the season.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Laurie Weeks; 4. Al Campbell, 5. Lachlan McCutcheon; 6. David Fungalei, 7. Tim Aistrope, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Nick Haydon, 10. Daniel Halangahu; 11. Ed Jenkins, 12. Dan P Kelly, 13. Leo Afeaki, 14. Nick Edwards; 15. Nathan Trist.
Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Atonio Halangahu, 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Mat Whittleston, 5. Mark Chisholm; 6. Chris Houston [c], 7. Rodney Voullaire, 8. Stephen Hoiles; 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Tim Walsh; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Michael Berne, 13. Metui Maile, 14. Francis Fainifo; 15. Bernie Orbell.
Referee: Ian Smith

EASTERN SUBURBS (4th) V NORTHERN SUBURBS (10th) at Woollahra Oval (3:00pm)

Eastern Suburbs could still finish as high as second place on the ladder and will be working towards that goal when they host Northern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval.

The Shoremen have been causing a few sides some worries in the run into the finals, however the Beasts are one of the form sides of the competition and will take a strong game plan into this encounter.

Easts are on an eight-game winning streak, averaging more than 45 points per game in that period and go into the match hot favourites to extend their run to nine games.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Aaron Tawera, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. Rob McMicken; 4. Tom Egan [c], 5. Matt McGann; 6. Ed Brenac, 7. Tim McGann, 8. Richard Stanford; 9. Luke Irwin, 10. Matt Toomua; 11. Clyde Rathbone, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Lloyd Jones, 14.Afusipa Taumeopeau; 15. Gavin Debartolo.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Joey Lynch, 2. Al Manning, 3. Tim Archibald; 4. Anthony Reed, 5. Tyler Hotson, 6. Peter Kimlin, 7. Will Hunt [c], 8. Julian Salvi; 9. Tom Burnett, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Dan Watson-Wood, 12. Codie Medway, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Anthony Shortis; 15. Seamus Ross.
Referee: Andrew Lees

GORDON (2nd) V PARRAMATTA (9th) at Chatswood Oval (3:00pm)

After last week’s loss to West Harbour, Gordon can no longer claim top spot on the Shute Shield ladder, but need to keep winning in order to ensure second place and a week off at the start of the finals.

However in facing Parramatta at Chatswood Oval the Highlanders have a formidable opponent on their hands who have handed defeats to third-placed Randwick and fourth-placed Eastern Suburbs already this year.

Gordon coach Lachlan Fear will be doing everything to make sure his charges are up for this match, having lost three of their last five games, while Parramatta could still finish in the top eight with a strong finish to the season.
Gordon: 1. Ofa Fainga’anuku, 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.
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. Roland Herea, 12. Dave Alo, 13. Brian Sefanaia, 14. Tito Mua; 15. Ben Borg.
Referee: James Leckie

PENRITH (11th) V WEST HARBOUR (6th) at Nepean Rugby Park (3:00pm)

Penrith returns to Nepean Rugby Park this weekend but will have their work cut out against a West Harbour side returning to form.

The Pirates went into last week’s clash with Gordon in danger of slipping out of the top six, however after upsetting the Highlanders they are now just one win away from securing a finals position.

West Harbour scored 50 against the Emus when they met in Round 10, and they will be looking for just as dominant a performance to send them into the finals at their attacking best.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Elvis Levi, 3. Nick Barber; 4. Shemaiah Evans, 5. Liam Winton; 6. Lai Vatadroka, 7. Rodney Ma’a, 8. Luke Williams; 9. Jeremy Su’a, 10. Jono Rolfe [c]; 11.Nick Richardson, 12. Sia’a Taveuveu, 13. Patrick Mekuri, 14. Henry Lilomaiava; 15. Solomona Fainifo.
West Harbour: 1. Campese Ma’afu, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Luke Hunter; 4. Damian Lloyd, 5. Ben Lonsdale; 6. James King, 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Isaiah Pine; 9. Steve Massey, 10. Dave Paurini; 11. Nick Reily, 12. David Tautaoilefue, 13. Lester Salanoa, 14. John Sinisa; 15. Ben Martin [c].
Referee: Daniel Cheever

EASTWOOD (7th) V MANLY (8th) at T.G. Millner Field (3:00pm)

If Penrith do them a huge favour, Eastwood could face a last round showdown with West Harbour to make the top six, however they will first need to overcome Manly at T.G. Millner Field.

Similarly, Manly remain a mathematical chance of qualifying for the finals, but will need a bonus point win in this game and for the Emus to take out the Pirates.

Firstly however, both teams will need to concentrate on a strong performance in this match, which augers for an entertaining clash.
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Chris Hill, 3. Aaron Broughton-Rouse; 4. Marty Wilson, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Gareth Palamo, 7. Ben Coridas, 8. Josh Dunning; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Simon Daff; 11. Nick Batger, 12. Hugh Perrett [c], 13. Rowan Kellam, 14. Ben Batger; 15. John Grant.
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. Stephen Locke; 11. Leon Bott, 12. Luke Johnson, 13. Tyrone Smith, 14. Lupini Siale; 15. Adam D’Arcy.
Referee: Nathan Pearce

WARRINGAH (5th) V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (12th) at Pittwater Rugby Park (3:00pm)

Warringah has now secured a playoff berth and will look to keep their momentum strong when they face Southern Districts at Pittwater Rugby Park.

The Rats had been in good form before their last round loss to Sydney University but will find this assignment much easier.

Warringah will however be without in-form half Brett Sheehan who is on the bench for the Wallabies in South Africa, giving Scott Bradley his chance in the No.9 jersey.
Warringah: 1. Dan Raymond [c], 2. Dave Mason, 3. Salesi Ma’afu; 4. Scott Fardy, 5. Scott Flint; 6. Andrew Rasmus, 7. Beau Robinson, 8. Ross Duncan; 9. Scott Bradley, 10. Michael Ruthven; 11. Ed Doyle, 12. Brock McGarity, 13. Pat McCabe, 14. Shaun Killian; 15. Mark Gerrard.
Southern Districts: 1. Nic Henderson, 2. Dan Palmer, 3. Guy Shepherdson; 4. Grant Trouville, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Israel Stephens, 7. Terry Autagavia, 8. James McCormack [c]; 9. Tim Small, 10. Matt Adair; 11. Luke Milton, 12. Michael McLeod, 13. Matt Trouville, 14. Michael Ashby; 15. Michael Black.
Referee: James Scholtens

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