Shute Shield 2010

[Upright]

I like the look of that side, much more balanced than some of that have run out in the tartan this year. Surely we can't lose to Parra...

On Harvey, his goal kicking is seen as irreplaceable. In the selection meetings it has been commonly thought to be worth 15-20 points to the team. So until there is a legitimate option for this area his place will never be questioned. Mind you I don't think Alex Gluth's (the hooker / prop) goal kicking was looking too bad in 2nd grade before I left.

Also good to see MacDougall in there - Preston Jnr doesn't offer enough on attack and has had been shown up defensively at times this year, I still think he's a better halfback than a winger...

Have been reliably informed by people close to the club that they may have the answer in their Colts - Henry Carmichael (Shore Firsts 2009) is showing real class as either a 10 or 12 and has landed 22 in a row in the goal kicking department. They are bringing him along nicely

 

[TheRiddler]

2010 TOOHEYS NEW SHUTE SHIELD
Round 12 - Saturday 3 July 2010

RANDWICK v SYDNEY UNIVERSITY at University Oval No.1 (3:10pm, ABC TV)
Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Atonio Halangahu [c], 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steve Brennan, 5. Tim Maxwell; 6. Seilala Lam, 7. Dave Vizer, 8. Ben Mowen; 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Brent Kelly; 11. Drew Mitchell, 12. Bevu Tuqiri, 13. Nick Cummins, 14. Tom Tombleson; 15. Kurtley Beale.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Jeremy Tilse; 4. Sam Carter, 5. Dave McDuling; 6. Dave Dennis, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 8. Tim Davidson; 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Julian Huxley; 11. Nathan Trist, 12. Tom Carter [c], 13. Michael Hodge, 14. Alfi Mafi; 15. Peter Betham.
Referee: Steve Walsh

EASTERN SUBURBS v PENRITH at Woollahra Oval (2:50pm)
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Ofa Fainga'anuku, 2. Jesse Davidson, 3. Guy Shepherdson; 4. Phil Mathers, 5. Matt McGann; 6. Ed Brenac, 7. Will Brock, 8. Andrew Shaw; 9. Brendan McKibbin, 10. Ben Ward; 11. Damon Anderson, 12. Anton Lavin, 13. Ryan Cross, 14. Gavin Debartolo; 15. Pat Dellit.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Elvis Levi, 3. Toa Asa; 4. Johnny Smith, 5. Sione Tonga; 6. Junior To'o, 7. Winney Paulo, 8. Vili Napa'a; 9. Sikuti Vunipola, 10. Tawhiri Walsh; 11. Dave Alo, 12. Luke Cross [c], 13. Stan Tuionuku, 14. Filipo Toala; 15. Leon Bott.
Referee: Daniel Cheever

NORTHERN SUBURBS v WEST HARBOUR at North Sydney Oval (3:00pm)
Northern Suburbs: 1. Dave Goulter, 2. Scott Podmore, 3. Nick Lah [c]; 4. Ben Matwijow, 5. Seti Tafua; 6. AJ Gilbert, 7. Carlos Blanco, 8. Matt Lamont; 9. Steve Evans, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Ben Borg, 12. Stefano Hunt, 13. James Lew, 14. Cam Crawford; 15. Cameron Shepherd.
West Harbour: 1. Rodney Blake, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Vaughan Lomax; 4. Steve Mafi, 5. Sam Wykes; 6. Sione Tau, 7. Mark Porpiglia, 8. David Fungalei; 9. David Fong, 10. Jai Ayoub; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Lester Salanoa, 13. Rory Sidey, 14. Henry Seavula; 15. Nick Reily.
Referee: James Scholtens

WARRINGAH v EASTWOOD at Pittwater Rugby Park (3:00pm)
Warringah: 1. Pek Cowan, 2. Luke Holmes, 3. AJ Whalley; 4. Brent Murphy, 5. Tom Hockings; 6. Beau Robinson, 7. Michael Lipman [c], 8. Trevor Richardson; 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Brett Sheehan; 11. Dylan Smouha, 12. Sam Harris, 13. Will Sare, 14. Joelin Rapana; 15. Pat McCabe.
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Keiran Longbottom; 4. Tom Alexander, 5. Ben Hand; 6. Jared Hanna, 7. Hugh Perrett [c], 8. Locky McCaffrey; 9. James Stannard, 10. James Foote; 11. Cameron Mitchell, 12. Sione Piukala, 13. Lachie Turner, 14. John Grant; 15. Ben Batger.
Referee: Nathan Pearce

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS v GORDON at Forshaw Rugby Park (3:00pm)
Southern Districts: 1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. John Ulugia, 3. Nic Henderson; 4. Rome Nifo, 5. Kane Douglas; 6. Radike Samo, 7. Sean Doyle, 8. Ita Vaea; 9. Nathan Sievert, 10. Josh Gamgee [c]; 11. Ben Schreiber, 12. Bernie Orbell, 13. Brackin Karauria-Henry, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Nicky Price.
Gordon: 1. Marty Plokstys, 2. Ben Whittaker, 3. Travis Church; 4. Jared Barry, 5. Ed Gower [c]; 6. Paulie Tuala, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Jason Peseta; 9. Vinnie Byrne, 10. Dave Harvey; 11. Dion Berryman, 12. Josh Whittaker, 13. Dane Haylett-Petty, 14. Matt McDougall; 15. Mark Preston.
Referee: James Leckie

PARRAMATTA v MANLY at Granville Park (3:00pm)
Parramatta: 1.Richard Just, 2. Junior Leota, 3. Tor Killman; 4. Ryan Aniseko, 5. Sam Evalu; 6. Maile Latekefu, 7. Andrew Cox [c], 8. William Tuitupou; 9. Lua Vailoaloa, 10. Pierre Hola; 11. Roland Herea, 12. Tom Woods, 13. Steve Bortolussi, 14. Semi Kolikata; 15. Mark Frost.
Manly: 1. Selesi Manu, 2. Elvis Taione, 3. Eddie Aholelei; 4. Dylan Sigg, 5. Cadeyrn Neville; 6. Will Brame [c], 7. Chris Westekenk, 8. Tevita Metuisela; 9. Chris Cottee, 10. Mark Swanepoel; 11. Lui Siale, 12. John Payne, 13. Brian Sefanaia, 14. Luke Johnson; 15. Adam D'Arcy.
Referee: Angus Gardner


REPRESENTATIVE PLAYERS FEATURED THIS ROUND
HSBC Waratahs (2010): Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood), Locky McCaffrey (Eastwood), Lachie Turner (Eastwood), Chris Alcock (Gordon), Kurtley Beale (Randwick), Drew Mitchell (Randwick), Sekope Kepu (Randwick), Ben Mowen (Randwick), Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), Tom Carter (Sydney University), Dave Dennis (Sydney University), Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University), Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University), Josh Holmes (Warringah), Rory Sidey (West Harbour)
HSBC Junior Waratahs Professional (2010): Ofa Fainga'anuku (Eastern Suburbs), Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs), Adam D'Arcy (Manly), Greg Peterson (Manly, reserve)
Brumbies (2010): Ben Hand (Eastwood), Guy Shepherdson (Eastern Suburbs), Josh Valentine (Randwick), Brackin Karauria-Henry (Southern Districts), Julian Huxley (Sydney University), alfi Mafi (Sydney University), Jerry Yanuyanutawa (Sydney University), Pat McCabe (Warringah)
Queensland Reds (2010): Andrew Shaw (Eastern Suburbs), Radike Samo (Southern Districts)
Western Force (2010): Keiran Longbottom (Eastwood), Ryan Cross (Eastern Suburbs), Dane Haylett-Petty (Gordon), Ben Whittaker (Gordon), Mark Swanepoel (Manly), Stefano Hunt (Northern Suburbs), Cameron Shepherd (Northern Suburbs), Nick Cummins (Randwick), Nic Henderson (Southern Districts), Mitch Inman (Sydney University), Pek Cowan (Warringah), Sam Harris (Warringah), Tom Hockings (Warringah), Joelin Rapana (Warringah), Brett Sheehan (Warringah), Sam Wykes (West Harbour)
Melbourne Rebels (2011): Nic Henderson (Southern Districts), Peter Betham (Sydney University), Tim Davidson (Sydney University), Julian Huxley (Sydney University), Michael Lipman (Warringah), Rodney Blake (West Harbour)
Australian Sevens (2009/10): James Stannard (Eastwood), Brian Sefanaia (Manly), Clinton Sills (Randwick), Brackin Karauria-Henry (Southern Districts), Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University), Nick Phipps (Sydney University)
Australian U20 (2010): Locky McCaffrey (Eastwood), Cameron Mitchell (Eastwood), Damon Anderson (Eastern Suburbs), Greg Peterson (Manly, reserve)

Gordon name the same team two weeks running for the first time this season (I think). Mrs Riddler and I looking forward to the trip south. Will be interesting to see how the ex-Gordon players (Nifo and Waqa) go against their old club. Also no Palmer for Souths, the injury that took him off at half-time last week must be quite serious.

Other interesting observations : Huxley at 10 for Uni. Eastwood again using Turner at 13 (their game against the Rats looks to be cracker with both teams stacked full of talent)

 

[DPK]

Beale at Randwick? No more Norths for him, I guess.

Anyone know how Leon Bott has been going at Penrith?

 

[gone]

Gordon name the same team two weeks running for the first time this season (I think). Mrs Riddler and I looking forward to the trip south. Will be interesting to see how the ex-Gordon players (Nifo and Waqa) go against their old club. Also no Palmer for Souths, the injury that took him off at half-time last week must be quite serious.

Other interesting observations : Huxley at 10 for Uni. Eastwood again using Turner at 13 (their game against the Rats looks to be cracker with both teams stacked full of talent)

Did Marty Plotskys or Tobias Gukibau start at loosehead last week?

Lets hope we can knock over Souths and then Penrith on Tuesday night to give some hope to the season. Really a must win game this week.

 

[TheRiddler]

Did Marty Plotskys or Tobias Gukibau start at loosehead last week?
.

Was busy serving up the culinary fare from the BBQ but I think it was Plotskys and then Gukibau came on as a replacement (and scored a try as well). Could well be wrong though. I often am!

 

[topo]

Other interesting observations : Huxley at 10 for Uni. Eastwood again using Turner at 13 (their game against the Rats looks to be cracker with both teams stacked full of talent)

Hux played 10 last week as well. Hangers has a serious shoulder injury and may not play again this year if he requires a recon. Uni have an abundance of back 3 players but not many 5/8s so Hux it is. Mitch Inman out for Uni as well. That's a shame, it's fun watching him and his brother Dane go head to head. Old bull young bull stuff. It will also be interesting to see the old mates from Joeys Betham and Beale putting high balls up to each other. Should be a cracker. Go the Students!

 

[RugbyReg]

I thought Mitchell was meant to be playing for Balmain???

 

[RugbyReg]

and AJ Gilbert there for Norths.

 

[wamberal]

I thought Mitchell was meant to be playing for Balmain???

Balmain Basketweavers play subbies. Not sure which division, used to be the lower end of things. Maybe they have improved a bit, but not quite enough to be able to get into the Shute Shield just yet.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah I know that. But wasn't there big hoopla that he was playing for them this year?

 

[the gambler]

He signed with them as a publicity thing. Is often listed as a Balmain player but they "release" him to Randwick for Shute Shield games that he is available for. Does turn out at the odd club function though Im led to believe

 

[wamberal]

Lote was also on Balmain's books, IIRC.

 

[Lindommer]

Shmoo's registered with Balmain RC, somewhat of a publicity stunt. It was always on the understanding Balmain would "lend" him to Randwick for Shute Shield matches. I'd be surprised if Mitchell ever plays a game for Balmain.

 

[Henry]

Mitchell and Beale fair ripped Uni to shreds. Beale's goal kicking was pretty sweet as well.

 

[wamberal]

A good win for the Wicks in the televised game. I did not watch the whole game, but saw enough to confirm that Tom Carthouse is just about good enough for reserve grade. No wonder the Tahs struggle, with a no-hoper like him in the centres.

 

[Henry]

You can see the Impact Mitchell, Beale, Mowen and even Cummings can make at the lower level but Carter seems to make no impact...

 

[Lee Grant]

Top game from Beale despite the odd bad kick and a terrific try from Mitchell who looked like he must have been covered in snakes and spiders. Top goal kicking effort from Beale too. I hope he can take that skill forward.

Uni looked like an All Stars team that had no cohesion. They had better pull their finger out else the unthinkable might happen: somebody else may win the Shute Shield.

Good to see most of the S14 players back plus a few Wallabies. Not a bad standard game as was the one I went to see at Rat Park: Rats v Woodies.

 

[topo]

Agree that Mitchell and Beale were fantastic today and also agree that Tommy Carter was pretty ordinary. Unfortunately for Uni he wasn't on his own, the whole backline was pretty lacklustre. Uni's big problem all season has been half and 5/8. Nick Phipps will probably grow into the half job but 5/8 is still a problem without Hangers, and he could be out for quite a while. Hux has not looked comfortable there and Barnes wasn't great there today either (and I don't expect Uni will be seeing much of him anyway). Bernard Foley in 2s might be a solution, but I am unsure what sort of training commitment the 7s team will expect and whether he will be available for all games. You can have great forwards and great outside backs, but if there's nothing connecting them, you're in trouble.
And Sekope Kepu didn't look like the answer to the Wallabies prop problems on today's form, although it's early days after an injury for him.

 

[Lee Grant]

Rats 23 Eastwood 18

A good game this which the Rats managed to make exciting by being 23-11 in front with a few minutes to go, being too loose, Grant kicking the unwanted ball upfield for the Woods and the pill bouncing nicely for him near the goal line. 23-18.

Then in the last minute dopey12. Sam Harris runs through a gap and the crowd bayed for the ball to be retained for 30 more seconds by going to ground, but he passed and his pass was dropped and the Woodies got a chance to counter attack in their own 22. Big gap and lot's of green grass in front of Batger but Rat 10. Brett Sheehan read the play 3 moves ahead like Capablanca and nailed him as he got the ball. End game over.

Earlier the Rats used the wind to be 20-5 ahead at oranges and, given the strong southerly, the Rat Park crowd, who never shirked in helping the referee for 80 minutes, thought the lead may have been a bit light. The crowd had a point about the ref: Nathan Pearce showed that he is no slave to accuracy.

The Woods didn't have the same front row as this time last year when they were at Rat Park: Fat Cat, Dunning and Alexander but they seemed to get most of the scrum hits all the same. A pity about the lineouts though with the Rats 2nd rowers Murphy and Hockings plus 8 Richardson in top form.

I was looking to see how Turner would go at outside centre again today and no doubt Tahs coach Hickey at the ground was too, but Lachie was closely marked apart from a couple of times he was able to get shovel passes away - one for a try to 14. Grant.

8. Lachie McCaffrey was the Woodies best and 15.Ben Batger had a good game. It's a pity that Caff doesn't have another 10 kgs in him as he could be a grand player.

9. Holmes had a couple of great snipes for Rat tries and one was from a trademark dither that made the Woods watch and then he was like a Rat up a drainpipe. He outplayed Stannard, the Woods scrummie, who was content to dish out. Sheehan had one of his marvellous games at this level, playing flyhalf, and but for a couple of crook kicks from hand was a commanding figure.

6. Beau Robinson had his best game for the Rats this year, that I have seen at least, and worked well in tandem with 7. Michael Lipmann.

The Rats were too inaccurate with good moves and even worse with bad ones. At least they won against a decent team who they didn't allow to get going, but for the odd raid.

.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

Good to see most of the S14 players back plus a few Wallabies. Not a bad standard game as was the one I went to see at Rat Park: Rats v Woodies.

James Slipper and Ben Daly were called late in the week and told not to play yesterday for the Breakers.