Eastwood ring changes for grand final rematch with Uni after shock loss to Easts

EASTWOOD have brought in Jai Ayoub, John Grant and Todd Pearce to their starting side for Saturday’s grand final rematch against Sydney University.

John Grant will add speed and strength to the Woodies’ backline.

EASTWOOD have brought in playmaker Jai Ayoub, flying winger John Grant and hooker Todd Pearce to their starting side for Saturday’s grand final rematch against Sydney University.

Following the shock hammering to Easts last weekend, Eastwood are desperate to bounce back and also seek revenge for last year’s decider when Uni ran rampant to claim the premiership.

Eastwood coach John Manenti named Ayoub in place of the competition’s top point-scorer Pierre Hola, while Grant replaces Ben Shorter and Pearce comes in for Tannous Ferris.

This battle between third (Uni) and fourth (Eastwood) at TG Millner Field will be crucial for each team’s top two aspirations.

Manenti has eyed Uni centre Tom Carter as the dangerman for the looming clash.

“Tom is a top player and I am a huge fan of his,” Manenti said.

“Uni have so much talent at their disposal, I have run out of ink writing notes for the weekend.

“In the pack David Hickey is probably the toughest guy in the competition and James Dargaville is in fantastic form on the wing. We’re definitely looking forward to the challenge.

“Anyone can beat anyone, Easts showed it against us last week [defeating Eastwood 51-21).

“We didn’t play particularly badly they just turned up and wanted it more.

“I think with the exception of [first-placed] Manly there is little that separates the rest of the teams in the league. It just takes one or two individuals to propel a side.

“Easts were buoyed by the inclusion of Jono Lance and he had an exceptional game. The game before, Parramatta pushed us close and were inspired by Taqele Naiyaravoro.

“It proves how fine the margins are at this level and how close all of the teams are.”

Parramatta will again be boosted by the presence of Naiyaravaro, who came off the bench to make his Super Rugby debut with the Waratahs last weekend against the Lions.

The 125kg winger did not travel with NSW for their match against Melbourne and will instead line up for the Two Blues at Forshaw Rugby Park against Southern Districts.

In other round nine games, Gordon host second-placed Warringah, Manly travel to Penrith, West Harbour hosts Northern Surburbs, while Randwick and Eastern Suburbs resume hostilities at Coogee Oval.

Shute Shield round nine:

Eastwood v Sydney University, T.G. MillnerField, 3pm (Live on ABC TV)

Eastwood: 1. Jed Gillespie, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Guy Millar, 4. Steve Cummins, 5. Andrew Clyne, 6. Hugh Perrett (c), 7. George Kent, 8. Pat Sio, 9. Shanin Proctor, 10. Jai Ayoub, 11. Nick Batger, 12. Tom Hill, 13. Michael McDougall, 14. John Grant, 15. Ben Batger.

Sydney University: 1. Sam Talakai, 2. Tim Reid, 3. Rhys Brodie, 4. Harry Marples, 5. Tom Heslop, 6. Tom Boidin (c), 7. David Hickey, 8. Patrick McCutcheon, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Daniel Kelly, 11. David Dillon, 12. Tom Carter, 13. Chris Ingate, 14. James Dargaville, 15. Jack Macklin.

Referee: Andrew Lees

Gordon v Warringah, Chatswood Oval, 3pm

Gordon: 1. Aritema Ralulu, 2. Ron Hobden, 3. Nick Fraser, 4. Ruairidh Wilson, 5. Luke Heavey, 6. Malelili Vukinamualevu, 7. Mitch Greenway, 8. Jack Maguire, 9. Terry Preston (c), 10. Will Shirvington11. Brandon Quinn, 12. Tom Matthews, 13. Matt McDougall, 14. Xavier McCoy, 15. Sione Ala.

Warringah: 1. Richard Southan, 2. Luke Holmes (c), 3. Wayne Borsak, 4. Ben Adams, 5. Dennis Watson, 6. Junior Palau, 7. Boyd Killingworth, 8. Samuel Crompton, 9. Scott Bradley, 10. Hamish Angus, 11. Harry Jones, 12. Joshua Gillard, 13. Christopher Arnold, 14. Sireli Tagicakibau, 15. David Feltscheer.

Referee: Nathan Pearce

Penrith v Manly, Nepean Rugby Park, 3pm

Penrith: 1. Daniel Arona, 2. Ethan- Robinson Mate (c), 3. Nigel Vaifale, 4. Matthew Wilton, 5. Senio Toleafoa, 6. Areta Taiti, 7. Peni Nairube, 8. Paea Siualangapo, 9. Solomona Silipa, 10. Robbie Mate, 11. Malakai Zelezniak, 12. Michael Mate, 13. KJ McKenzie, 14. Solomona Silipa, 15. Jerome Mckenzie.

Manly: 1. Mitch Lewis, 2. John Wunder, 3. John Baranyi, 4. Ed Gower (c), 5. Greg Peterson, 6. Harry Bergelin, 7. Kotoni Ale, 8. Dylan Sigg, 9. Mark Swanepoel, 10. Sam Vaevae, 11. Dane Chisholm, 12. Scott Daruda, 13. Mali Hingano, 14. Lui Siale, 15. BJ Hartmann.

Referee: Timothy Wills

Randwick v Eastern Suburbs, Coogee Oval, 3pm

Randwick: 1. Toa Asa, 2. Alex Walker, 3. Tristain Goodbody, 4. Jesse Harris, 5. Josh Eden – Whitari, 6. Sam Figg (c), 7. Tom Connor, 8. Will Munro, 9. Harry Bouileau, 10. Ethan Ford, 11. Tim Wright, 12. Kuki Ma’afu, 13. Eli Bailey, 14. Nathan Roye, 15. Liam Windon.

Eastern Suburbs: 1. Cooper Chapman, 2. Billy Johnston, 3. Michael Fakava, 4. Gab Passmore, 5. Richard Stanford, 6. Dan Elsom, 7. Ben Willis, 8. Seilala Lam, 9. Steve Shapland, 10. Henry Hudson, 11. Dan Gallagher, 12. Anton La Vin (c), 13. Damon Anderson, 14. Will Paterson, 15. Darcy Etrich.

Referee: Anthony Moyes

Southern Districts v Parramatta, Forshaw Rugby Park, 3pm

Southern Districts: 1.Duncan Chubb, 2.Maile Nguamo, 3.Tim Metcher, 4.Marcus Carbone, 5.Andrew Leota, 6.Sam Latunipulu, 7.Kieran Black, 8.Jed Holloway (c), 9. Chris O’Reilly, 10. Rohan Saifoloi, 11. Filemu Finau, 12.Ollie Samuela, 13.Denny Godinnet,14.Ben Connolly,15. Richard Williams.

Parramatta: 1. Nick Blacklock, 2. Myles Hunkin, 3. Simon Lemalu, 4. Sakaria Noa, 5. Evan Olmstead, 6. Andrew Cox (c), 7. Sililo Savea, 8. Aisea Namoa, 9. Kaleb Rech, 10. Chris Nay, 11. Larry Hermens, 12. Tui Fa’asisila, 13. Lani Tiatia, 14. Alex Samoa, 15. Tomu Mataika.

Referee: Jamie McGregor

West Harbour v Northern Suburbs, Concord Oval, 3pm

West Harbour: 1. Michael Alaalatoa, 2. Ryan Dalziel, 3. Dave Lolohea, 4. Chris Simons, 5. Harrison Orr, 6. Tom Games (c), 7. Cohen Masson, 8. Matt Coles, 9. Harrison Lee-Everton, 10. Dave Harvey, 11. Joel Brooks, 12. Rory Sidey, 13. Usaia O’Sullivan, 14. Tito Mua, 15. Dylan Taikato-Simpson.

Northern Suburbs: 1. Kevin McNamara, 2. Will Weeks, 3. Nick Lah (c), 4. Matt White, 5. Michael O’Hea, 6. James Cunningham, 7. Hugh Sinclair, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Christian Cage, 10. Jack Grant, 11. Cam Crawford, 12. Jackson Selby, 13. Jac Cameron, 14. Tom Redden, 15. Mitch Walton.

Referee: Richard Goswell.