The opening round of the Tooheys New Shute Shield kicks off on Saturday 10 April with six matches to be played across Sydney. Round one is headlined by a Grand Final replay between Sydney University and Randwick, while Eastwood do battle with Warringah in the ABC TV Game of the Day.
EASTWOOD v WARRINGAH at T.G. Millner Field (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)
Eastwood will be looking to kick their season off in the best way possible when they host Warringah in the first ABC TV Game of the Day for 2010.
Last year Eastwood also played on television in the opening round however won't hold good memories of that day when they surrendered a big half-time lead to lose to the Marlins.
The Woods have been boosted by the late inclusion of HSBC Waratahs rookie Locky McCaffrey who last week made his Super 14 debut against the Cheetahs. McCaffrey, who was the inaugural Tooheys New Shute Shield Rookie of the Year in 2009, was named in an extended NSW squad earlier this week however he will now look to make his mark this weekend at T.G. Millner.
Warringah are also full of class with NSW lock Chris Thomson locking the scrum with Brumby Runners second rower Hugh Pyle, both of whom have had strong pre-seasons in the 'A' Program.
The Rats side also features former Force hooker Luke Holmes, ex-NSW flanker Beau Robinson who has returned from a stint in Italy and former England backrower Michael Lipman.
Eastwood: 1. Simon Norris, 2. Chris Hill, 3. Barry Fa'amuasili; 4. Tom Alexander, 5. Jarad Hanna; 6. Gareth Palamo, 7. Hugh Perrett [c], 8. Locky McCaffrey; 9. Mick Snowden, 10. James Foote; 11. Cameron Mitchell, 12. Sione Piukala, 13. Tim Bennetts, 14. John Grant; 15. Barney Wood.
Warringah: 1. Pingi Talaapitaga, 2. Luke Holmes, 3. Dan Barnard; 4. Chris Thomson, 5. Hugh Pyle; 6. Beau Robinson, 7. Michael Lipman, 8. Trevor Richardson; 9. Sam Hutcherson, 10. John Kennedy; 11. Ed Doyle, 12. Brock McGarity, 13. Will Sare, 14. Dylan Smouha; 15. Maurice Kennedy.
Referee: Angus Gardner
WEST HARBOUR v NORTHERN SUBURBS at Concord Oval (3:00pm)
West Harbour will again be a force in the 2010 Tooheys New Shute Shield and field a strong side when they host Northern Suburbs at Concord Oval.
The Pirates have recruited well in the off-season with former HSBC Junior Waratah Sitiveni Mafi strengthening the second row after moving across from Parramatta and former Norths backrower Sam Latunipulu joins after recently making his mark with Australia on the IRB Sevens Series.
The exciting backline has been further bolstered by the return of HSBC Waratah Rory Sidey from a season in Wales, while ex-Junior Waratah half Jeremy Su'a has moved across from Penrith.
The Pirates face a Norths outfit which includes former Two Blues Scott Podmore, Junior Kolikata and Ben Borg.
Starting on Saturday, the Shoremen will be looking for a turnaround in fortunes this season after finishing tenth in 2008.
West Harbour: 1.Campese Ma'afu, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Joe Afualo; 4. David Fungalei, 5. Sitiveni Mafi; 6. Sam Latunipulu, 7. Mark Porpiglia, 8. Isaiah Pine [c]; 9. Jeremy Su'a, 10. Jai Ayoub; 11. Tito Mua, 12. Damien Fakafanua, 13. Rory Sidey, 14. Henry Seavula; 15. Nick Reily.
Northern Suburbs: 1. Nathan Rickard, 2. Scott Podmore, 3. Nick Lah [c]; 4. Rory Walton, 5. Ben Matwijow; 6. Seti Tafua, 7. Carlos Blanco, 8. Mat Lamont; 9. Steve Evans, 10. Chris Burnett; 11. Cam Crawford, 12. Chris Moore, 13. James Lew, 14. Junior Kolikata; 15. Ben Borg.
Referee: Anthony Moyes
GORDON v SOUTHERN DISTRICTS at Chatswood Oval (3:00pm)
With much off-season change, both Gordon and Southern Districts will be hoping to open the season in style when they meet at Chatswood Oval.
Under a new coach in 2010, the Highlanders are without HSBC Waratahs flanker Chris Alcock who last week debuted at Super 14 level, however this season they have seen the return of new skipper Mike Hercus who has earned 48 caps for the United States.
The Rebels go into the match with increased firepower in the backline thanks to the recruiting of Josh Gamgee (Manly) and Marshall Milroy (Randwick) along with former Gordon flyer and ex-Sydney Roosters NRL wing Sisa Waqa.
Ex-Highlander Nifo Nifo has been named in the second row, while the front three is one of the strongest in the competition with Brumby Runner Tetera Faulkner, ex-Easts rake Sam Zlatevski and HSBC Waratahs prop Dan Palmer.
Gordon: 1.Tobias Gukibau, 2. Nath Nicol, 3. Marty Plokstys; 4. Ed Gower, 5. Jared Barry; 6. Sean Morrell, 7. Craig Thomas, 8. Paulie Tuala; 9. Vinnie Byrne, 10. Mike Hercus [c]; 11. Greg Wade, 12. Josh Keil, 13. Mark Preston, 14. Terry Preston; 15. Dave Harvey.
Southern Districts: 1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Sam Zlatevski, 3. Dan Palmer; 4. Nifo Nifo, 5. Sita Tuamani; 6. Matt Trouville, 7. Jono Hayes, 8. Ita Vaea; 9. Nathan Sievert, 10. Josh Gamgee; 11. Nicky Price, 12. Brackin Karauria-Henry, 13. Ben Schreiber, 14. Sisa Waqa; 15. Marshall Milroy.
Referee: Steve Hardy
MANLY v PARRAMATTA at Manly Oval (3:00pm)
Parramatta has had the most turbulent of off-seasons but will be looking to start their season on the front foot when they travel to Manly to take on the Marlins.
Manly were the form side at the front end of the competition in 2009 and their line-up this year has been strengthen by the addition of towering lock Greg Peterson and powerful wing Nemani Nadolo who has crossed the Harbour and Spit Bridges from Randwick.
Flyhalf Ben Seymour will also be looking to kick-start the team from round one after working under the tutelage of Berrick Barnes in the NSW setup during the pre-season.
The Two Blues side bears little resemblance to the team which just escaped the wooden spoon in 2009. One player to keep an eye on is emerging backrower Maile Latekefu who has overcome injury to impress many experts with the HSBC Junior Waratahs.
Manly: 1. Selesi Manu, 2. Elvis Taione, 3. Eddie Aholelei; 4. Greg Peterson, 5. Caydern Neville; 6. Dylan Sigg, 7. Will Brame [c], 8. Marlon Solofuti; 9. Chris Cottee, 10. Ben Seymour; 11. Lui Siale, 12. Alex Miles, 13. John Fakai, 14. Nemani Nadolo; 15. Adam D'Arcy.
Parramatta: 1.Junior Leota, 2. Jono Ede, 3. Tor Killman; 4. Ben Fainga'a, 5. Tony Teapua; 6. Ropati Matangi, 7. Andrew Cox, 8. Maile Latukefu; 9. Brett Gillett, 10. Jason Te Huia; 11. Nathan Lane, 12. Ben Gilbert, 13. Daniel Moore, 14. Richard Williams; 15. Brendan Lane.
Referee: James Scholtens
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY v RANDWICK at University Oval No.1 (3:00pm)
Sydney University are again the team to beat in 2010 but will come up against a formidable Randwick side at University Oval No.1. on Saturday.
The Students side is highlighted by Australian Sevens skipper and new Waratahs recruit Pat McCutcheon, Junior Waratahs Peter Betham, Ed Jenkins and Pat Ryan, Sevens flyer Jacob Taylor along with Brumbies prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Randwick meanwhile are not short on talent with Brumbies backrower Henry Vanderglas and former Super 14 centre Gene Fairbanks looking to make their mark along with former Hurricanes lock Ross Kennedy.
Both sides will be bolstered by returning Super 14 players later in the year, however the strength of their round one line-ups bodes well for their 2010 campaigns.
Sydney University: 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Pat Ryan; 4. Sam Carter, 5. David McDuling; 6. Hugh Hawkins, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 8. Adam Campbell; 9. Matt Schwager, 10. Justin Bosilkovski; 11. Jacob Taylor, 12. Josh Dillon, 13. Peter Betham, 14. Ed Jenkins; 15. Alex Rokobaro.
Randwick: 1. Daniel Spencer, 2. Atonio Halangahu [c], 3. Lotu Taukeiaho; 4. Tim Maxwell, 5. Ross Kennedy; 6. Henry Vanderglas; 7. Stephen Bennie, 8. Sione Kepu; 9. Tony Luxford, 10. Brent Kelly; 11. Bernie Orbell, 12. Dane Inman, 13. Gene Fairbanks, 14. Matt Nethery; 15. Danny Kroll.
Referee: Nathan Pearce
PENRITH v EASTERN SUBURBS at Nepean Rugby Park (3:00pm)
Penrith will be eyeing an early upset in round one when they host Eastern Suburbs at Nepean Rugby Park.
The Emus main issue in recent years has been defence and that will again be the big question mark on Saturday, particularly with the firepower they now possess in the backline.
During the off-season Penrith have recruited noted finishers Leon Bott (Manly) and Filipo Toala (Eastwood), talented ex-league centre Albert Hopoate along with Australian Sevens rep Stan Tuionuku (Southern Districts).
Under ex-Gordon coach Lachlan Fear the Beasties have also made some prized forward recruits in the off-season with HSBC Junior Waratahs prop Ofa Fainga'anuku following Fear from the Highlanders, Phil Mathers moving from Eastwood and Pauliasi Taumeopeau back from University.
However arguably the biggest recruit is the smallest man in the team in Brendan McKibbin. The HSBC Junior Waratahs scrumhalf lifted the Hospitals Cup in Brisbane last year as captain of the successful Brothers team which won the Brisbane premiership, and is certain to make his mark on the Tooheys New Shute Shield.
Penrith: 1. Dave Coventry, 2. Matt Borg, 3. Toa Asa; 4. Richard Penisini, 5. Wayne McDonald; 6. Alfred Betham, 7. Winnie Paulo, 8. Junior To'o; 9. Sikuti Vunipola, 10. Stan Tuionuku; 11. Leon Bott, 12. Albert Hopoate, 13. Dave Alo, 14. Filipo Toala; 15. Luke Cross.
Eastern Suburbs: 1. Ofa Fainga'anuku, 2. Jessie Davidson, 3. Rob McMickan; 4. Phil Mathers, 5. Matt McGann; 6. Pauliasi Taumeopeau, 7. Will Brock, 8. Talalelei Gray; 9. Brendan McKibbin, 10. Ben Ward; 11. Anton LaVin, 12. Tim Corcoran, 13. Lloyd Jones, 14. Gavin Debartolo; 15. Pat Dellit.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
REPRESENTATIVE PLAYERS FEATURED THIS ROUND
HSBC Waratahs: Locky McCaffrey (Eastwood), Nemani Nadolo (Manly), Dan Palmer (Southern Districts), Rory Sidey (West Harbour), Chris Thomson (Warringah)
HSBC Junior Waratahs (Professional): Tim Bennetts (Eastwood), Adam D'Arcy (Manly), Ofa Fainga'anuku (Eastern Suburbs), Ed Jenkins (Sydney University), Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs), Greg Peterson (Manly), Paddy Ryan (Sydney University)
Brumbies: Henry Vanderglas (Randwick), Jerry Yanuyanutawa (Sydney University)
Australian Sevens (2009/10): Talalelei Gray (Eastern Suburbs), Brackin Karauria-Henry (Southern Districts), Sam Latunipulu (West Harbour), Jacob Taylor (Sydney University)
Jared also looking very strong and fit - he's dropped 10kgs in the off season.
