Four of the top six teams take on each other in a round eight of the Tooheys New Shute Shield, with this week’s fixtures sure to again have a dramatic impact on the table as the competition nears the halfway mark.

Gordon and Sydney University tussled for top spot on the competition ladder in 2008 and a win is crucial for both sides in this encounter if they are to contest the minor premiership again.

The pair has slipped to more than a win adrift of Manly and Eastern Suburbs, making competition points all the more important in this encounter which can be viewed live across NSW on ABC TV.

Gordon last year prided themselves on the consistency of their week-to-week line-ups which they have again been able to field this week.

The Students meanwhile have been in mixed form, losing two of their last three matches and having not scored a four try bonus point since the second round of the competition.

Gordon: 1. Marty Plokstys, 2. Nath Nicol, 3. Ofa Fainga’anuku; 4. Nifo Nifo, 5. Kingsley Seale; 6. Paulie Tuala, 7. Craig Thomas, 8. Chris Alcock; 9. Vinnie Byrne, 10. Josh Keil; 11. Matt McDougall, 12. David Alo, 13. Mark Preston, 14. Lachie Mitchell; 15. Dave Harvey.

Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Jeremy Tilse; 4. David McDuling, 5. Adam Campbell; 6. David Haigh, 7. Jono Jenkins, 8. Pat McCutcheon; 9. Scott Stumbles, 10. Justin Bosilkovski; 11. Nick Edwards, 12. Michael Hodge, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Robert O’Reilly; 15. Nathan Trist.

Referee: Steve Hardy
Last Meeting: 2009 Round 17 – Sydney University 42 d Gordon 5 at University Oval No.1

MANLY (1st) V RANDWICK (5th) at Manly Oval (3:00pm)

The Marlins will be looking to return to their winning ways at Manly Oval this weekend but face a tough opponent in Randwick.

Manly won six in a row to start the season before falling to ninth-placed Northern Suburbs last weekend in the ABC TV Game of the Day.

Randwick on the other hand showed glimpses of their best last week in defeating defending premiers and competition favourites Sydney University. The Galloping Greens have a 5-2 record this year and have the opportunity to move into the top four with an away win.

Manly: 1. Eddie Aholelei, 2. Elvis Taione, 3. James Lakepa; 4. Will Munsie, 5. Dylan Sigg; 6. Daniel Collins, 7. Will Brame, 8. Mark Fisher; 9. Chris Cottee, 10. Josh Gamgee; 11. Lui Siale, 12. Alex Miles, 13. Luke Johnson, 14. Leon Bott; 15. Adam D’Arcy.

Randwick: 1. Daniel Spencer, 2. Atonio Halangahu [c], 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Steven Brennan, 5. Ben Toleafoa; 6. Tim Maxwell; 7. Dave Vizer, 8. Rodney Voullaire; 9. Tony Luxford, 10. Tim Walsh; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Bernie Orbell, 13. Tim Wright, 14. Dave Dillon; 15. Marshall Milroy.
Referee: Damien Mitchelmore

Last Meeting: 2009 Round 14 – Manly 29 d Randwick 28 at Coogee Oval

NORTHERN SUBURBS (9th) V EASTWOOD (7th) at North Sydney Oval (3:00pm)

Northern Suburbs are riding high after defeating competition leaders Manly last weekend and have high hopes of leapfrogging Eastwood after their clash at North Sydney Oval.

Having also defeated Eastern Suburbs in round three, the Shoremen have now beaten the top two teams in the competition, however have won just one other match to sit in ninth on the competition ladder.

Eastwood have also started to find some form, losing just one of their last five matches. The Woodies welcome back Ben Batger at fullback, the HSBC Waratah making his comeback from shoulder surgery in September.

Northern Suburbs: 1. Tai Vea, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Tim Archibald; 4. Brian Doyle, 5. Pat Maile; 6. Matt Lamont, 7. Sam Latinipulu, 8. James Fitzgerald; 9. Steve Evans [c], 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Corey Brown, 12. Chris Moore, 13. George Hughes, 14. Anthony Shortis; 15. Andrew Smith.

Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Chris Hill, 3. Barry Faumasili; 4. Josh Dunning, 5. Phil Mathers; 6. Ben Coridas, 7. Hugh Perrett [c], 8. Lachie McCaffrey; 9. Mike Hand, 10. James Foote; 11. Chris Donnelly, 12. Rowan Kellam, 13. Tim Bennetts, 14. John Grant; 15. Ben Batger.

Referee: James Scholtens
Last Meeting: 2009 Round 13 – Eastwood 42 d Northern Suburbs 22

PENRITH (12th) V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (10th) at St Marys Leagues Stadium (3:00pm)

This may be a battle of the battlers but no inch will be given when Penrith host Southern Districts at St Marys Leagues Stadium.

The Emus had the measure of the Rebels in both of their encounters last year, however remain the only side not to yet celebrate victory in the 2009 Tooheys New Shute Shield.

Souths have made wholesale changes to their pack ahead of this week’s clash as they look for their second win for the year.

Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Myles Hunkin, 3. Nick Barber; 4. Liam Winton, 5. Mosese Makasini; 6. Mike Paulo, 7. Rob Carlson, 8. Johnny Smith; 9. Shanin Proctor, 10. Jono Rolfe; 11. Henry Lilomaiava, 12. Luke Cross, 13. Lachlan Porteous, 14. Nick Richardson; 15. Zeb Filise.

Southern Districts: 1. Joe Lynch, 2. Joe Harwood, 3. Charles Williamson; 4. Kane Douglas, 5. Daniel Bray; 6. Matt Trouville, 7. Ben Long, 8. Terry Autagavia; 9. Nathan Sievert, 10. Greg Robson; 11. Jackson Mullane, 12. Andrew Barrett, 13. Chris Kerr, 14. Stan Tuionuku; 15. Matt Raftrey.

Referee: Daniel Cheever

Last Meeting: 2009 Round 19 – Penrith 27 d Southern Districts 20 at Forshaw Rugby Park

WARRINGAH (6th) V PARRAMATTA (11th) at Pittwater Rugby Park (3:00pm)

Warringah have got their attack in order over the last fortnight but will need to sure up their defence if they are to make good their favourites tag in their clash with Parramatta at Pittwater Rugby Park.

The Rats arrested a three-match losing streak with a draw and a win in the last two weeks, however leaking 11 tries in the process provides Parramatta with an opportunity.

The Two Blues have won just one match this year, but last week troubled West Harbour and scored four tries in the process. Parramatta has made an intriguing selection, naming rangy HSBC Junior Waratah forward Steve Mafi in the centres.

Warringah: 1. Pingi Talaapitaga, 2. Jacob Kauffman, 3. Dean Doumbos; 4. Hugh Pyle, 5. Luke Hanvey; 6. Mitch Greenway, 7. Beau Robinson [c], 8. Paul MacGugan; 9. Layne Kelleher, 10. John Kennedy; 11. Bryce Gearin, 12. Matt Clarke, 13. Brad Domek, 14. Dylan Smouha; 15. Maurice Kennedy.

Parramatta: 1. Arthur Manukia, 2. Scott Podmore, 3. Lui Sakaria; 4. Andrew Cox, 5. Ryan Aniseko; 6. Jeremy Bird, 7. Winney Paulo, 8. Matt Borg; 9. Aaron Mattin, 10. Steve Hales; 11. Roland Herea, 12. Piripi Ranga, 13. Steve Mafi, 14. Areta Lama; 15. Ben Borg.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Last Meeting: 2009 Round 13 – Warringah 42 d Parramatta 3

EASTERN SUBURBS (2nd) V WEST HARBOUR (8th) at Woollahra Oval (3:00pm)

Eastern Suburbs are the form side of the competition coming into round eight and will be looking to add another scalp to their impressive run when they host West Harbour at Woollahra Oval.

After going down to Norths in round three, the Beasties have averaged more than 43 points per game in their four straight victories which has lifted the side to second on the competition table, just one point behind Manly.

West Harbour’s slow start to the year is fading into history, now sitting in a share of seventh but just five points out of third. The ability of the Pirates to accumulate bonus points – seven in seven rounds – has kept them in touch on the table but also in tight games which this encounter could well be.

Eastern Suburbs: 1. Mike Ross, 2. Sam Zlatevski, 3. Aaron Tawera; 4. Tom Egan [c], 5. Lee Morley; 6. Ed Brenac, 7. Chris Hitch, 8. Fergus Dorney; 9. Luke Irwin, 10. Ben Ward; 11. Pat Smith, 12. Tom Azar, 13. Anton LaVin, 14. John Collignon; 15. Gavin Debartolo.

West Harbour: 1.Campese Ma’afu, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Reg de Jager; 4. Tom Hikila, 5. Andrew Clyne; 6. Isaiah Pine, 7. Mark Porpiglia, 8. Pelea Afu; 9. Steve Massey, 10. Jai Ayoub; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Metui Maile, 13. Henry Seavula, 14. John Sinisa; 15. Dave Paurini.

Referee: Andrew Lees

Last Meeting: 2009 Elimination Semi Final – Eastern Suburbs 28 d West Harbour 15 at St Marys Leagues Stadium.