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Tooheys New Shute Shield: Preliminary Finals Preview
September 18, 2009 - 3:18pm
Story by: NSWRU
The 2009 Grand Finalists will be decided with the Tooheys New Shute Shield Preliminary Finals this weekend.
The ABC TV Game of the Day on Saturday sees minor premiers Sydney University take on Eastwood at Concord Oval, while Randwick meet Gordon on Sunday at Woollahra Oval.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (1st) V EASTWOOD (5th)
Saturday 19 September 2009
Concord Oval
Kick-off: 3:10pm (ABC TV Game of the Day)
The memories of a fortnight ago will be hard to erase when Sydney University face Eastwood in the first Preliminary Final at Concord Oval in the ABC TV Game of the Day.
The minor premiers finished the regular season in style when they accounted for the Woodies 81-7 at University Oval in a win which reasserted their premiership favouritism. For many pundits it also spelled the end of Eastwood’s chances after slumping to fifth after three straight losses to the top three teams on the table.
However last weekend Eastwood showed their heart with a come-from-behind victory over Manly which has instilled a new feeling of confidence within the squad.
The outcome of the match two weeks ago may be felt wider than on the scoreboard with both sides suffering injuries which are still having an effect. Nathan Trist, one of the Students best all year, suffered a season-ending injury in the match which has forced Jacob Taylor to move to fullback. However it does create an opportunity for Australian Sevens, Australian U20 and Brumbies flyer Peter Betham to move into the starting XV.
Eastwood also lost Matt Dunning, Chris O’Young, Damien Fitzpatrick and Ray Isara to injury during the 74-point loss which has had repercussions down the line. While Dunning and Fitzpatrick came through last weekend’s victory over Manly at Forshaw Rugby Park, O’Young has not been named for Saturday’s Preliminary Final.
Isara’s injury forced a reshuffle of the backline last week, however new wing Cam Mitchell took the opportunity with both hands scoring two tries in the Woods 11-point win.
However if recent form counts for anything, Eastwood’s last start victory was just their first in almost a month, while the Students are running on the back of a 14-game winning streak, their last loss coming four months ago against Gordon.
The well-drilled Uni outfit will go in as favourites, and all eyes will be on the big names from both sides. Phil Waugh, Daniel Halangahu, Tom Carter, Dave Dennis, Ben McCalman and Mitch Inman headline the Uni outfit, while Eastwood are also well-represented by Super 14 stars through Dunning, Fitzpatrick, Kieran Longbottom and Ben Hand, plus a host of Academy representatives.
Teams
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Pat Ryan; 4. Ben McCalman, 5. Dave Dennis; 6. Pat McCutcheon, 7. Phil Waugh, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Scott Stumbles, 10. Daniel Halangahu; 11. Peter Betham, 12. Tom Carter, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Nick Edwards; 15. Jacob Taylor.
Eastwood: 1. Kieran Longbottom, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Matt Dunning; 4. Ben Hand, 5. Tom Alexander; 6. Gareth Palamo, 7. Hugh Perrett [c], Lachlan McCaffrey; 9. Mick Snowden, 10. James Foote; 11. Cam Mitchell, 12. Sione Piukala, 13. Tim Bennetts, 14. John Grant; 15. Rowan Kellam.
Referee: Steve Walsh
RANDWICK (2nd) V GORDON (3rd)
Sunday 20 September 2009
Woollahra Oval
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Randwick enjoyed the first week of the Finals Series with their feet up but they will need to be on their game to overcome an in-form Gordon side when they meet in the second Preliminary Final at Woollahra Oval.
These two sides met in the corresponding match last year with Randwick coming from behind in the second half to take victory in a tough match and earn a place in the Grand Final. That result, along with two victories over the Highlanders this year will fill the 2008 runners-up with confidence going into this match.
However Gordon’s performance last weekend and in the final rounds positions them as a dark horse for the 2009 Tooheys New Shute Shield. The Highlanders won three out of their last four matches before last week’s Elimination Semi-Final when they ground out a 17-point victory over Warringah at Pittwater Rugby Park.
Gordon’s sudden death win last weekend was built on the back of a great performance at the breakdown in the first half, followed by solid kicking and great opportunistic play in the final forty minutes. On almost every occasion Warringah ventured into the Gordon 22, the Highlanders were able to turn over the ball with Paulie Tuala, Ed Gower and Craig Thomas performing strongly. Then at the back end of the game two intercepts and one kick and chase try from inside their own half proved the Highlanders have the opportunistic play required to win tough games.
Randwick possess one of the strongest line-ups in the competition, which is reinforced by the fact Adam Freier, Josh Valentine and Nick Cummins have been named on the bench. That depth at the end of the match could prove crucial for a side which also includes Wallabies Sekope Kepu and Stephen Hoiles along with Super 14 squad members Henry Vanderglas, Patrick Phibbs and Francis Fainifo.
While Gordon are much shorter on players with Super 14 experience, one of their most exciting young players lived up to his potential last weekend. Dane Haylett-Petty has this year represented the Western Force, Australian Sevens and Australian Under 20s, and if he has the same impact this week as he did against Warringah, he could find himself in a Tooheys New Shute Shield Grand Final as well.
Teams
Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Atonio Halangahu [c], 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Tim Maxwell, 5. Steve Brennan; 6. Henry Vanderglas, 7. Seilala Lam, 8. Stephen Hoiles; 9. Patrick Phibbs, 10. Tim Walsh; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Shaun Foley, 13. Bernie Orbell, 14. Francis Fainifo; 15. Marshall Milroy.
Gordon: 1.Ofa Fainga’anuku, 2. Tobias Gukibau, 3. Marty Plokstys; 4. Nifo Nifo, 5. Ed Gower [c]; 6. Paulie Tuala, 7. Craig Thomas, 8. Viliame Ratu; 9. Vinnie Byrne, 10. Josh Kiel; 11. Terry Preston, 12. Dave Harvey, 13. Mark Preston, 14. Matt McDougall; 15. Dane Haylett-Petty.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
For the full story...http://www.rugby.com.au/news/tooheys.../section/21893