Should be a good round 19
Rats v Randwick
Warringah had a great win over the Woodies last week. Gerrardo is still out with the hamstring strain he got in the Tonga game which was put on in honour of the coronation of the Tongan king, but THP Ma'afu, who got injured in the same game, returns. Ross Duncan is back from injury for the Rats but the name of Force back rower Richard Brown is missing from the team sheet.
Randwick will be happy to have Turinui returning after their loss to Parramatta last week. Josh Valentine will play flyhalf again and get service from scrummie Phibbs.
Geez having big Ratu and Morgs in the same opposing team will make a few Rats and their fans nervous. In their earlier match this year Ratu (who should be playing for Warringah with a name like that) was lucky enough to score 4 tries against the Rats after defenders tripped over before they could nail him. And a few years ago Turinui scored 6 flukey tries in one afternoon at Rat Park. [It may seem that 6 tries is a good effort but in my book it is showing off.]
Easts v Pirates
The Beasts these days are chewing up their prey and spitting out the bones, whereas the Pirates, after plundering a few other outfits earlier in the season, are walking the plank and have to turn around to get back on board. Tahu is back for Wests and hopefully his team mates will remember that they were good enough to beat Easts earlier this season.
Manly v Gordon
Looks like Manly, who pulled their shorts down in the TV game last week and bent over for the Beasts to have their way with them, are no hope of getting in the final 6 now. Gordon, who play better than the weight of their scrapbooks would indicate, except when they get rolled by Uni, have played some good rugby this year thanks in part to coach Fear who was poached from the Rats. They should get the bikkies in this one.
Woo-hoo - playing 11 for Manly is Leon Bott who played for Oz Schools in 2004 but went to the Broncos from school. Welcome back to the game they play in heaven son. Manly's scrummie Paddy Pearce was injured last Saturday so the Dolphins flyhalf of recent times, Josh Gamgee, will wear the 9 jersey which he did playing for Gordon. The flyhalf you ask? Tyrone Smith, the Brumbies 12 !!!
Southerns v Penrith
This is the battle for the wooden spoon. The home team with the S14 front row are the biggest under achievers in the comp and haven't won since Rd.3. Penrith are capable of a good game now and then and should get up.
Eastwood v Sydney Uni
Despite the might Dunning playing LHP, Coridas at 8 and the excellent footie player Hugh Perrett at 7 it's Uni by how many. John Grant is switched to the Woodies wing and Al Campbell is back for Uni.
Norths v Parramatta
Norths have had a shocking season but they will be glad to get Ben Alexander back. Peter Kimlin is playing lock and SNK goes to flyhalf.
I'd fancy the Two Blues though after holding on against the Green Slime last week after leading 17-0 at oranges.
speckie - thanks for that about young Lance - Good blood lines. Will look forward to watching his progress in the near future.