Shute Shield 2010

[TheRiddler]

Gordon showed yesterday why they are cellar dwellars this season and Souths are on top. Yet again Gordon showed little cohesion, showed little interest in attacking the ruck and when they did, were penalised to buggery with the back row consistently going off their feet, holding and playing the ball in the ruck. How James Leckie didnt bin one of Alcock, Tuali or Pesata I dont know. The game also had lots of niggle with numerous handbag sessions. In one of them, Alcock and Douglas certainly showed no love for each other, leaving one to think that perhaps a bit of niggle had been left over from the Waratahs (or Douglas had been reminding Alcock who had a contract for next season).

Gordon's cause before the game wasnt helped with Ed Gower being ruled out injured. He was walking around with a large cast on his foot so can only assume he did himself a fairly serious injury at training this week.

The game started off brightly for Gordon with the Highlanders being awarded a penalty from the kick off. Instead of taking an easy three points, they went for a lineout - which they then lost. A similar situation only a few minutes later; Gordon awarded a kickable penalty which they again turned down and went for the lineout - which was again lost. Seemed that Gordon hadnt changed their calls much from when Nifo was at the club as he seemed to pick the calls with ease - in turn this led to the Gordon hooker Whittaker being penalised a few times due to baulking.

I'm still not a fan of Harvey at 10. Yes, he can kick a shedload of points but his playmaking is very one-dimensional. First option is always to kick away the ball, very rarely does he take the ball to the line or try and create options. The one time Gordon did execute a proper backline move it led to a try so strange they dont try and be more expansive.

Tough turnaround now for Gordon who are playing Penrith at Chatswood Oval on Tuesday evening. They way the two teams are playing at the moment, this will be a very tight contest. The Gordon Stags Golden Oldies team are heading out to Penrith today to take on the old mountain men; hopefully we can show the 1st graders how it should be done

 

[mark_s]

Riddler, here is the write up of the Souths-Highlanders game in the local rag. I think I like your write up better.

Southern Districts revel in Back to St George
BY BRAD FORREST
06 Jul, 2010 01:00 AM
SOUTHERN Districts have demonstrated the importance of a team with some player depth in the Shute Shield rugby competition.
The Rebels, the clear competition leaders, bounced back from their first loss last week - and indeed three weeks of indifferent form - with a solid win over an improved Gordon side at Forshaw Park, Sylvania, on Saturday.

Souths had to dig deep to gain the bonus-point win, too.

They lost their top centre, Josh Tatupu, to New Zealand rugby a fortnight ago, and then tall, Scottish-centre partner, Gareth Morton was injured last week.

They also lost Waratah tight-head prop Dan Palmer (foot injury) and still have giant second rower Sitaleki Timani sitting on the sidelines, possibly for another three weeks.

So up stepped Australian Sevens representative Brackin Kauria Henry and Bernie Orbell into the centres, with former Test prop Nic Henderson slotting straight back into the front row.

Saturday's game, a Back to St George match, was never going to be easy. And despite the Rebels going out to an early 12-0 lead - their second try a beauty to Brackin Henry set up by their fast-running fullback Nick Price - Souths found the going tough against a side bent on "spoiling'' their opposition.

Indeed, those niggling tactics resulted in two all-in brawls, with big Souths and Waratah second rower Kane Douglas seen to be protecting his smaller team-mates both times.

Older brother Luke Douglas, who had the honour of captaining the Cronulla Sharks the same night in rugby league, would have been proud of his efforts.

Although the constant shrill of the referee's whistle dampened the continuity of play, Souths scrum held long enough for their kickers and outside men to put the side into the attacking zone.

Their celebration of their St George roots also ensured that one of the biggest crowds of the season saw Southern Districts - born from the old St George and Port Hacking clubs - go on to record for a five tries to two, 40-17 victory, with Douglas' barging try near the end getting the biggest roar from the parochial crowd on the hill.

It was enough to send the licensed club's tills ticking over way into the night.

Coach Darren Bray was "reasonably happy'' with his side's form.

"There were lots of distractions against Gordon but we stuck at it and got the result,'' Bray said.

Souths retain a seven point lead over second-placed Manly, with both sides meeting in the match of the round at Manly Oval this Saturday.

 

[TheRiddler]

Gordon managed to beat Penrith last night at Chatswood in greasy, wet conditions - and I'm not talking about the produce from the BBQ! A scoreline of 33-17 suggests a fairly easy win for the Highlanders but this wasnt necessarily the case as could perhaps be expected with two of the bottom three playing each other. Although Gordon seemed to have the game in the bag early in the second half, a rash of replacements and lack of concentration saw Penrith come up with a couple of meat pies to bring an entertaining finish for the brace souls that had ventured out into the cold North Shore evening. In the dying stages, Gordon also had prop Travis Church sent off, reputedly for dissent. If that was the case, he must have given the ref one hell of spray.

Gordon now play Warringah at Chatswood this coming Sunday (yes, Sunday). Games between these two can often be feisty affairs and I expect this one to be no different. There will probably be a few changes to the Gordon team with Ed Gower now ruled out for the rest of the season (again) after rupturing ligaments in his ankle/foot during a training accident. Josh Kiel is again available for selection after his stint with the Samoa camp.

Hope to see plenty of GAGRs at the Oval on Sunday. Stop by the BBQ and say hello.

 

[gone]

Teams have been announced for Round 13 of the 2010 Tooheys New Shute Shield to be played on 10-11 July 2010.
Easts prop Ofa Fainga'anuku.
Easts prop Ofa Fainga'anuku. [2010 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 12 - Eastern Suburbs v Penrith; Woollahra Oval; 3/7/10]
2010 TOOHEYS NEW SHUTE SHIELD
Round 13 - 10-11 July 2010

Saturday 10 July 2010
WEST HARBOUR v EASTERN SUBURBS at Concord Oval (3:10pm, ABC TV)
West Harbour: 1. Rodney Blake, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Campese Ma'afu; 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. Macquire Tatola; 15. Dave Paurini.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Ofa Fainga'anuku, 2. Huia Edmonds, 3. Guy Shepherdson; 4. Phil Mathers, 5. Ed Brenac; 6. Matt Hodgson, 7. Will Brock, 8. Andrew Shaw; 9. Brendan McKibbin, 10. Matt To'omua; 11. Damon Anderson, 12. Ben Ward, 13. Ryan Cross, 14. Anton Lavin; 15. Pat Dellit.
Referee: James Leckie

EASTWOOD v NORTHERN SUBURBS at T.G. Millner Field (3:00pm)
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Keiran Longbottom; 4. Tom Alexander, 5. Jared Hanna; 6. Gareth Palamo, 7. Hugh Perrett [c], 8. Locky McCaffrey; 9. James Stannard, 10. James Foote; 11. Nathan Brecht, 12. Sione Piukala, 13. Lachie Turner, 14. John Grant; 15. Ben Batger.
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. James Price, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Ben Borg, 12. Stefano Hunt, 13. James Lew, 14. Cam Crawford; 15. Cameron Shepherd.
Referee: Angus Gardner

MANLY v SOUTHERN DISTRICTS at Manly Oval (3:00pm)
Manly: 1. Eddie Aholelei, 2. Elvis Taione, 3. Tim Fairbrother; 4. Dylan Sigg, 5. Greg Peterson; 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.
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.
Referee: Nathan Pearce

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY v PARRAMATTA at University Oval No.1 (3:00pm)
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Jeremy Tilse; 4. Dave Dennis, 5. Dean Mumm; 6. Ben McCalman, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 8. Tim Davidson; 9. Luke Burgess, 10. Dan Kelly; 11. Nathan Trist, 12. Tom Carter [c], 13. Michael Hodge, 14. Lachie Mitchell; 15. Julian Huxley.
Parramatta: 1.Richard Just, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Lui Sakaria; 4. Ryan Aniseko, 5. Sam Evalu; 6. Maile Latekefu, 7. Andrew Cox [c], 8. William Tuitupou; 9. Lua Vailoaloa, 10. Pierre Hola; 11. Brendan Lane, 12. Tom Woods, 13. Steve Bortolussi, 14. Roland Herea; 15. Mark Frost.
Referee: James Scholtens

PENRITH v RANDWICK at Nepean Rugby Park (3:00pm)
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry [c], 2. Toa Asa, 3. Sims Tooala; 4. Johnny Smith, 5. Sione Tonga; 6. Vili Napa'a, 7. Winnie Paulo, 8. Chris Aho; 9. Lee Ula, 10. Stan Tuionuku; 11. Davo Alo, 12. Tawhiri Walsh, 13. Henry Lilomaiava, 14. Leon Bott; 15. Gavin Duncan.
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.
Referee: Ian Smith

Sunday 11 July 2010
GORDON v WARRINGAH at Chatswood Oval (3:00pm)
Gordon: 1. Marty Plokstys, 2. Ben Whittaker, 3. Tobius Gukibau; 4. Jared Barry, 5. Mark Johnson; 6. Jason Peseta, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Billy Ratu; 9. Vinnie Byrne [c], 10. Dave Harvey; 11. Dion Berryman, 12. Josh Whittaker, 13. Dane Haylett-Petty, 14. Matt McDougall; 15. Mark Preston.
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. John Kennedy; 11. Dylan Smouha, 12. Sam Harris, 13. Josh Toole, 14. Joelin Rapana; 15. Pat McCabe.
Referee: Daniel Cheever


REPRESENTATIVE PLAYERS FEATURED THIS ROUND
HSBC Waratahs (2010): Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood), Locky McCaffrey (Eastwood), Lachie Turner (Eastwood), Chris Alcock (Gordon), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta), Kurtley Beale (Randwick), Drew Mitchell (Randwick), Sekope Kepu (Randwick), Ben Mowen (Randwick), Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), Luke Burgess (Sydney University), Tom Carter (Sydney University), Dave Dennis (Sydney University), Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University), Dean Mumm (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), Paddy Ryan (Sydney University, reserve)
Brumbies (2010): Huia Edmonds (Eastern Suburbs), Guy Shepherdson (Eastern Suburbs), Matt To'omua (Eastern Suburbs), Josh Valentine (Randwick), Brackin Karauria-Henry (Southern Districts), Julian Huxley (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), Matt Hodgson (Eastern Suburbs), Dane Haylett-Petty (Gordon), Ben Whittaker (Gordon), Tim Fairbrother (Manly), Mark Swanepoel (Manly), Stefano Hunt (Northern Suburbs), Cameron Shepherd (Northern Suburbs), Nick Cummins (Randwick), Nic Henderson (Southern Districts), Nathan Charles (Sydney University), Ben McCalman (Sydney University), Pek Cowan (Warringah), Sam Harris (Warringah), Tom Hockings (Warringah), Joelin Rapana (Warringah), Sam Wykes (West Harbour)
Melbourne Rebels (2011): Nic Henderson (Southern Districts), Tim Davidson (Sydney University), Julian Huxley (Sydney University), Lachie Mitchell (Sydney University), Michael Lipman (Warringah), Rodney Blake (West Harbour)
Australian Sevens (2009/10): James Stannard (Eastwood), Brian Sefanaia (Manly), Brackin Karauria-Henry (Southern Districts), Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University)
Australian U20 (2010): Locky McCaffrey (Eastwood), Matt To'omua (Eastern Suburbs), Greg Peterson (Manly), Selesi Manu (Manly)

Despite your pleas Riddler, Hopkins, Dinning et al see no need to rush Kiel in for Harvey. Besides I wouldn't expect him to be dropped just potentially pushed back to fullback but please not 12 again. I think Preston at 10 might be worth a shot, he played there for the Junior Tahs a few years ago and when Gordon won the Trevor Allan shield. With him at 10, they could give the youngster Sai Vakarau a shot at fullback who I rate very highly having worked with him last year in the lower grades.

Can't help but think Alcock might need a bit of support and would like to see him at 6 or 8 with Craig Thomas at 7.

Riddler - heard anything on Lawrence Marsh? If I recall correctly he was due back around round 12. And thanks for the writeups - much appreciated, will be back to watch a few of the games in August.

On the other teams - great to see a good sprinkling of Wallabies in there.

 

[tranquility]

Has Andrew Shaw played well enough since he has been in Sydney to think that a Waratahs Pro Academy spot is a possibility?

 

[TheRiddler]

Despite your pleas Riddler, Hopkins, Dinning et al see no need to rush Kiel in for Harvey. Besides I wouldn't expect him to be dropped just potentially pushed back to fullback but please not 12 again. I think Preston at 10 might be worth a shot, he played there for he Junior Tahs a few years ago and when Gordon won the Trevor Allan shield. With him at 10, they could give the youngster Sai Vakarau a shot at fullback who I rate very highly having worked with him last year in the lower grades.

Can't help but think Alcock might need a bit of support and would like to see him at 6 or 8 with Craig Thomas at 7.

Riddler - heard anything on Lawrence Marsh? If I recall correctly he was due back around round 12. And thanks for the writeups - much appreciated, will be back to watch a few of the games in August.

On the other teams - great to see a good sprinkling of Wallabies in there.

Interesting to see that Gordon have shuffled their back row with Tuali not named and Jason Peseta taking his place at 6 with Billy Ratu wearing 8 (he played there on Tuesday night as well). I think that Peseta is perhaps to big a unit to effectively play at 6 but maybe his job is just to smash Lipman/Robinson for the first part of the game and then bring on Tuali to do the pilfering once the damage has been done. Risky strategy - will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Preston at 10 is an interesting call - cant see it happening but then again the management have come up with strange selections already this season. Interestingly, the other Preston played at 9 last week in reserve grade - Tom Sully must be injured. Also intriguing to see that Johnson is preferred again to Seale in the locks.

Sad to see that Sheehan is not named for the Dirty Rats. Is he injured? Would be good to get Lee Grant's take on this game. Lee, are you making the trip to Chatswood on Saturday? What about Moses and the other closet Rats supporters?

 

[RugbyReg]

didn't Sheehan get banned for 5 weeks for calling the ref a cheat or something?

 

[TheRiddler]

didn't Sheehan get banned for 5 weeks for calling the ref a cheat or something?

You're right. Hadnt seen that in the news.

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/pivot-gets-five-game-ban-but-rats-vow-well-clear-brett/

 

[TheRiddler]

And another article on Sheehan's banning.

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/refs-must-sometimes-cop-blame/

 

[PTB]

can someone start a colts forum keen to talk about that competition there is some real talent

 

[Scarfman]

You can just start a thread, Pass The Bong.

 

[thecow]

if sheehan was sin binned and got 5 weeks for referee abuse, u would think that travis church would get a very hefty suspension if he got sent off for what he said. although, that could be because the refs have been told to be harsh on it since the sheehan incident.

 

[qwerty51]

Is Horne playing 13 for the Rebels this week?

 

[Lee Grant]

Serves Sheehan right: he a serial abuser and he gave the ref a serve last Saturday too.

I want to see a lot more guys suspended for this king of thing otherwise it will end up like rugby league.

 

[TheRiddler]

Is Horne playing 13 for the Rebels this week?

Not according to the published team list. Probably wrapped up in Robbie's cotton wool somewhere.

Interesting that on The Rugby Show Benn Robinson stated he was playing for Eastwood this weekend yet he's not named either. Probably getting splinters for the first half.

 

[thecow]

Not according to the published team list. Probably wrapped up in Robbie's cotton wool somewhere.

Interesting that on The Rugby Show Benn Robinson stated he was playing for Eastwood this weekend yet he's not named either. Probably getting splinters for the first half.

i think he will make his return next week against west harbour, i think he said one game so he would want it to be a week before a wallabies game.

 

[qwerty51]

The Leader says Horne and Palmer are playing this weekend and the next

 

[Lee Grant]

I don't recall saying that.

 

[tranquility]

I hope that is tongue in cheek Mr. Grant..

 

[qwerty51]

James Leckie is a tool