Team Lists Tuesdays are back! Damn that felt good to type out and on that joyous note, welcome to the first proper Team List Tuesday on The Cumberland Throw!
NRL Team List
Following our comprehensive win over the Panthers in our last trial the Parramatta Eels have revealed almost no surprises in their roster named to take on competition heavyweights, the Brisbane Broncos. Indeed, we will field seventeen of the eighteen players originally named against the Panthers with the recently re-signed Kaysa Pritchard getting the jump on Isaac De Gois to nab a spot on an extended bench. Pritchard joins David Gower, Peni Terepo, Daniel Alvaro and Kenny Edwards on a 5-man bench but looks to be the player most likely to make way at this stage given that he is also named at lock for the Wentworthville Magpies. Minor smoke and mirrors could be in play here as any of the other interchange players could easily cover that position for the Magpies as well.
As expected, Anthony Watmough and Danny Wicks are absent from this squad with ‘Choc’ continuing his rehabilitation for a knee injury while Wicks will get match fitness under his belt in the newly dubbed Intrust Super Premiership (formerly the NSW Cup). Media reports in the Sydney Morning Herald suggested that marquee recruit and captain, Kieran Foran, may also be in doubt with an issue to his troublesome hamstrings but he is named to play.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels side
1. Michael Gordon
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Clint Gutherson
6. Corey Norman
7. Kieran Foran (c)
8. Junior Paulo
9. Nathan Peats
10. Tim Mannah
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Beau Scott
13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange:
14. David Gower
15. Peni Terepo
16. Daniel Alvaro
17. Kenny Edwards
18. Kaysa Pritchard
Read the full team list at parraeels.com.au
NSW Cup/Intrust Super Premiership Team List
If the NRL team list was named almost exactly as expected, the line-up for Wenty makes for more interesting reading – if only for those that are absent! Scott Schulte returns from injury and caps a strong individual pre-season by getting first crack at the #1 for the Magpies. The rest of the backline is rounded out by Faraimo, Toutai and Folau – all of whom are familiar for the Ringrose faithful – while Honeti Tuha nabs the final spot on what I believe will be the left-edge.
Danny Wicks and Isaac De Gois will bolster the pack, bringing in both grit and experience while Cody Nelson has been rewarded for an excellent season in 2015 with the captaincy for the Magpies. As noted above, Kaysa Pritchard has been named in both the NRL and ISP squads.
Andrew Pearn and Nick Kassis are the only two Wenty-contracted players to earn selection in the Round 1 team and deservedly so with both players standing out in the pre-season trials against the Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers.
Ryan Morgan, James Hasson, Kieren Moss and Bevan French are noticeably absent from the team. Moss was racing the clock to be included for Round 1 while I have no clue on the status of the other three players. Joseph Ualesi is aiming to be back by Round 3.
Wentworthville Magpies side
1. Scott Schulte
2. Bureta Faraimo
3. Vai Toutai
4. John Folau
5. Honeti Tuha
6. Mitch Cornish
7. Luke Kelly
8. Danny Wicks
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Rory O’Brien
11. Kelepi Tanginoa
12. Cody Nelson (c)
13. Kaysa Pritchard
Interchange:
14. Cameron King
15. Matt Woods
16. Andrew Pearn
17. Nick Kassis
Read the full team list on parraeels.com.au
Holden Cup Team List
The absence of Bevan French will likely grab everyone’s attention but there are a few other interesting selections in our NYC team. Atini Gafa and Jermaine Mati-Leifi won a heated competition for the two spots on the flanks, beating out the Manu twins (Kelepi and Amanaki). Matthew Price has held off Nifo Seve and Joey Tramontana for the bench utility role while Jonathan Mose was rewarded for some robust efforts in the pre-season with a spot on the bench.
The most intriguing thing to note about this team is not a positional selection but rather the appointment of Denzal Tonise as captain. 2015 captain, Alex Twal is named to start but rather than this serving as a slur against Twal’s leadership credentials I see this as a statement by Luke Burt as he prepares for life without Twal in 2016 (who along with Tyrell Fuimaono and Bevan French, will likely spend considerable time in the Intrust Super Premiership).
Dyldam Parramatta Eels Holden Cup side
1. Mason Cerruto
2. Atini Gafa
3. Tyrell Fuimaono
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Jermaine Mati-Leifi
6. Michael Doolan
7. Troy Dargan
8. Alex Twal
9. Denzal Tonise (c)
10. Tom Amone
11. Jack Morris
12. Tom Field
13. Craig Field
Interchange:
14. Matthew Price
15. Jamie Stowers
16. Jonathan Mose
17. Kurt De Luis
Read the the full team list at parraeels.com.au
The forward depth is quite impressive. Although the belief exists amongst critics that the team is lacking forward depth, I would argue that it is the club’s strength. To have player like Cameron King on the Wenty bench is extraordinary.
The one real concern that I have with our squad sixties is the frontrow. I am a huge fan of Alvaro but he is still very young. When Jnr and Mannah come off for a spell we look decidedly light on in the prop forward department. I can see us having real problems matching teams like The roosters, dogs, souths etc through the middle. Our real hope is that Tepai goes through the roof in his development and gives us that real intimidation factor in the middle but I still think he is 2 years away from being able to physically match those premier props in the game.
I can understand the feelings that you have. After all, you are talking about the limited experience of Terepo and Alvaro. For mine, Alvaro plays a solid, old fashioned prop’s role. Terepo was probably the best prop in our pre-season. I think it comes down to the rotation used and keeping some experience on the field at all times.
Anyone from TCT getting down to watch the captain’s run tomorrow? Be good to know if Foran trains
The captains run will be at the stadium and likely to be a lockout.
60’s lack of forward depth was given by Mat Johns as the reason for predicting an 11 placed finish for the Eels in 2016, one place above where they finished last season. However having said that what he and the other 16 Telegraph commentators say is irrelevent at the end of the day. The only thing that matters is how the players perform in each match. Besides I am happy to fly under the radar as much as possible.
Having looked at the 16 Telegraph commentators it is easy to see that there is more intuition or reputation used to select their final eight than true analysis of the teams. Further there are a lot of emotional decisions in selecting the eight as well. I am always a glass half full person when it comes to the Eels but I am not being paid to make predictions.
Looking at the expert tips of Ben Ikin for instance. Now here is a man not noted for his love of NSW or worse Sydney teams, you can here it in him as he is commentating, he has selected three Qld teams (They class Storm as a Qld side) to come 1, 2 and 3. Only three Sydney teams in the first eight. Gordon Tallis likewise has selected all four teams in the top eight, he has selected the Titans for eighth spot and only 3 Sydney teams. neither can find a place for the eels a bit rich given that GT has found a spot for the Titans.
Most of the commentators have selected the Roosters in the top eight not so surprising however what is surprising is that most of these have selected the Roosters for the top 4. They have been minor premiers for the last three years which gives them some momentum but they have lost three quality players from their roster in TVS, Maloney and Jennings, the first 2 being part of their spine. Given that they are likely to also loose Pearce, Hargreaves and Cordner for the first 6 games I feel it would be difficult to pick them with any confidence for the top 4, further I would think that they could easily drop out of the top eight if things go against them at all.
The Eels did get some support from Walshaw, Phelps, Toohey, Nicolussi and Gasnier (No surprise there). The good thing to come out of all of this is that Paul Kent and Rebecca Wilson did not select the Eels for the eight, if they had I would need to reconsider myself.
There is often bias to be considered with ex-footballers who have some kind of affiliation. I usually discount their tips immediately, especially when they keep affiliated teams in their tips.
Well spotted John.
Is there any mail regarding Foran,s hamstring. Did not sound overly confident when talking to Danny Weidler. Is this a beat up or is he in some doubt about playing.
If he’s not fit, he won’t play. Parra won’t risk further injury. The choice could be rest a week or miss 7 weeks. I know what I’d choose.
Totally agree. If he is not ready do not risk him. Need him fit and healthy at the end as we contest the semi’s. Still i will be disappointed if he is not in the team against the Broncos. I trust Brad to make the correct decision.
To be fair to Tallis, he is on the board of the Titans. But your point is a very good one nonetheless.
Ualesi is missing too.
Noted and updated just a wee bit earlier. Was in a rush this afternoon and forgot to put him in at first! Due back in Round 3 if everything goes to plan.