Sydney University and Eastern Suburbs have finalised their squads ahead of Saturday’s Tooheys New Shute Shield Grand Final at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The Students have provided the shock selection ahead of match day, naming first grade debutant Jerry Yanuyanutawa at loose head prop.
Yanuyanutawa has the unenviable task of taking on Easts giant and former Tongan representative Heamani Levaka, who has been at his damaging best for the Beasts on their march to the Grand Final.
But it will be the battle of the backlines that could prove the key to victory, with both back divisions in top form.
For Uni, wings Peter Playford and Alfi Mafi can finish with the best of them while centres Tom Carter and Lachlan Mitchell have the requisite pace and bulk to cause headaches.
Easts however will be more than up to the task, with the tough tackling form of former Australian U19 captain Anthony Faingaa marking up on Carter while scrumhalf Luke Burgess, fullback Gavin Debartolo, and wings Junior Puroku and Anton La Vin all impressing over the course of the season.
The Students hold the upper hand coming into the match, having won both encounters against the Beasties this season, however the manner of Easts victory over Warringah last weekend will no doubt have Uni looking over its shoulder.
The 41-12 victory was as emphatic as it was brutal, with Easts running in 34 points before the Rats got on the board.
The eventual six tries to two win was just the boost Easts needed after their disappointing 22-6 qualifying final loss to the Students two weeks ago.
The Tooheys New Shute Shield Grand Final will kick off at 3.10pm on Saturday, with live coverage on ABC TV starting at 3pm.
The match will be preceded by the Tooheys New Plate decider between Manly and Gordon, kicking off at 12.45pm.
Meantime, a number of events are planned for the Moore Park area on Grand Final day.
Fans are asked to take public transport where possible, with traffic expected to be heavy after the match due to the Sydney Swans v Richmond match taking place at the SCG on Saturday night.
Also, there is expected to be traffic across the day with the annual Sexpo exhibition being held at the Entertainment Quarter.
TOOHEYS NEW SHUTE SHIELD
GRAND FINAL & PLATE FINAL TEAMS
Sydney Football Stadium, Saturday 28 July, 2007
TOOHEYS NEW SHUTE SHIELD GRAND FINAL
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY v EASTERN SUBURBS (ABC TV GAME), 3.10pm
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY: 15. Daniel Halangahu 14. Alfi Mafi 13. Lachlan Mitchell 12. Tom Carter 11. Peter Playford 10. Dan Kelly 9. Nick Haydon 8. Tim Davidson
7. David Haydon 6. David Dennis 5. Will Caldwell 4. Dean Mumm 3. Laurie Weeks 2. Daniel Lewinski 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
EASTERNSUBURBS: 15. Gavin Debartolo 14. Junior Puroku 13. Tom Azar 12. Anthony Faingaa 11. Anton La Vin 10. Trevor Byles 9. Luke Burgess 8. Tom Egan 7. Richard Stanford 6. Adam Wallace-Harrison 5. Adam Byrnes 4. Matt McGann 3. Heamani Levaka 2. Saia Faingaa 1. Aaron Tawera
Referee: Ian Smith
TOOHEYS NEW PLATE FINAL
MANLY v GORDON, 12.45pm
MANLY: 15. Peter Hewat 14. Luke Johnson 13. Chris Siale 12. Sam Harris 11. Lupeni Siale 10. Dave Collis 9. Josh Valentine 8. Marlon Solofuti 7. Chris Cottee 6. Heath Kiely 5. Bruce Rauqe 4. Adam Smith 3. James Lakepa 2. Josh Mann-Rea 1. Reuben Bijl
GORDON: 15. Mark Preston 14. Donny Nepia 13. Josh Whittaker 12. Billy Rainima 11. Greg Wade 10. Dave Harvey 9. Vinnie Byrne 8. Vili Napa’a 7. Craig Thomas 6. Viliame Ratu 5. Ed Gower 4. Tom Games 3. Michael Schmidt 2. Alex Gluth 1. Ofa Fainga’anuku
Referee: Nathan Pearce
