NRL Team List
Amidst media reports that the Eels have 4.5 million dollars of talent either sitting on the sidelines (Foran, Norman, Watmough, Jennings, Radradra) or released to play for other clubs (Peats, Paulo, Morgan) in 2016, Brad Arthur continues to improvise and make do with the limited resources at his disposal. After losing Michael Jennings to a hamstring injury in the Eels’ heartbreaking loss to the Panthers, Arthur has named Brad Takairangi in his place – although Takairangi too is struggling with a hamstring injury. Takaraingi has been a week-to-week prospect over the last fortnight after originally sustaining a hamstring injury against the Newcastle Knights in Round 12 and will likely face a gamut of fitness tests to prove he will be good to go as the Eels travel North of the border to take on the Gold Coast Titans.
The Eels face some what of a crisis should Takaraingi fail to take his place in the lineup on Saturday. Having exhausted all first and second-string options, Kenny Edwards looms as the most likely candidate to take his place with Cody Nelson the logical addition to the bench. Beyond that, Arthur would have to bring the likes of Honeti Tuha, Scott Schulte and John Folau (who is returning from a fractured arm this week) into consideration and in my opinion, I can not see our coach heading in that direction – even given our dire circumstances.
Elsewhere, Clinton Gutherson reprises his role in the halves after an eye-opening positional debut there against the Panthers while Bureta Faraimo maintains his place in the team by virtue of the fact there are next to no healthy backs available for the Eels.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels NRL vs Gold Coast Titans, 5.30pm, Saturday July 23 at Cbus Super Stadium
1. Michael Gordon
2. Bureta Faraimo
3. Manu Ma’u
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Bevan French
6. Clint Gutherson
7. Jeff Robson
8. Danny Wicks
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Tim Mannah
11. Kenny Edwards
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Beau Scott (c)
Interchange:
14. Rory O’Brien
15. Peni Terepo
16. David Gower
17. Daniel Alvaro
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
The late-season resurgence of the Magpies continued on Sunday as they demolished the Newcastle Knights 40-8 and moved within a solitary win of the Top 8. John Folau is the lone inclusion as Nathan Cayless and Joey Grima persevere with the formula that woke Wenty from their 9-game slump. As above, pending the fitness of Brad Takairangi there could be a late change to the Wenty line-up with Cody Nelson looming as the most likely candidate.
Wentworthville Magpies ISPNSW vs Wyong Roos, 3pm, Sunday July 24 at Morry Breen Oval
1. Honeti Tuha
2. Scott Schulte
3. Jake Butler-Fleming
4. John Folau
5. Roydon Gillett
6. Dylan Izzard
7. Cameron King
8. Joseph Ualesi
9. Sam Gorman
10. Alex Twal
11. Matt Woods
12. James Hasson
13. Cody Nelson (c)
Interchange:
14. Tui Oloapu
15. Nick Kassis
16. Yileen Gordon
20. Evan Lee
Holden Cup Team List
The Eels fell painfully short of a heroic victory on Sunday as the Panthers ran them down to win out 24-16. Although it was 1v2 on paper, Luke Burt’s charges are to be commended for taking the high-flying Panthers the distance. Now they must refocus and begin to go about cementing their berth in the Top 4, beginning with the Titans this week. Burt has made several changes this week with James Gammidge and Tyrell Fuimaono returning to the backline in the place of Atini Gafa and boom rookie Tui Afualo. Another boom rookie in Filia Utoikamanu returns to take the spot vacated in the backrow by Fuimaono.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels NYC vs Gold Coast Titans, 1.30pm, Saturday July 23 at Pizzey Park
1. Mason Cerruto
2. James Gammidge
3. Tyrell Fuimaono
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Jermaine Mati-Leifi
6. Michael Doolan
7. Troy Dargan
8. Jamie Stowers
9. Matt Price
10. Tom Amone
11. Jack Morris
12. Filia Utoikamanu
13. Denzal Tonise (c)
Interchange:
14. Dean Matterson
15. Kurt De Luis
16. Tom Field
17. Steve Dresler
There will likely be changes to the Wenty team with travelling reserves taken to the Gold Coast. It would become less likely that these players would be rushed home for a Wenty game – though I could be wrong.
40’s. will be at the game on Sunday & looking forward to it.
You mention Nelson being a likely step up if Taka cannot make it, over this year several have called for him to be in the top side owing to form. If I a correct he did get a top grade run not long ago, but did not do much, where would he actually fit in with the top side in place of Taka?
Seems the top squad will feel the crunch if Taka is out, as already we have one forward in the centres already, putting Edwards up would be a risk again, but I see the need for a back, & doubt if Folou would be ready to play top grade yet. Someone from the halves would be better & let Gutho go back to the centres. would King fit the bill as 6?
I get a sense that this will not be the team that takes the field
I would have loved to have seen Nelson or King get a run.
Maybe we will?
Additional travelling players are usually taken on such away games. With some players in doubt, perhaps you may be correct.