NRL Team List

 

After a long month on the road the Eels finally get their chance to host a game of their own. Of course, Parramatta Stadium is long past its death throes and the Eels now call ANZ Stadium home so who else would be better to break the new digs in than the reigning NRL premiers in the Cronulla Sharks?

 

The disappointing loss to the Gold Coast has been dissected and now long committed to the record books. Unsurprisingly, Brad Arthur hasn’t left his common sense on the Gold Coast and has elected not to make wholesale unforced changes. As expected, Corey Norman has been named to the starting team following his week off due to a minor hamstring tweak. It does without saying that this is a pretty hefty boost for the Eels.

 

Kaysa Pritchard has seemingly defied modern medical science to somehow find his name on the NRL team list and not the injury report after a very nasty friendly fire incident late in the loss to the Titans that saw his ankle buckle under considerable duress. Kaysa’s inclusion would be certainly be a boon to the team. Continuity in the spine is a very desirable outcome for our young play-making corps. Cameron King has been named to the shadow bench in a likely hedging of bets for Brad Arthur – if indeed Kaysa is in anyway racing the clock.

 

Following the suspension of Tepai Moeroa for one week (shoulder charge, early guilty plea), Frank Pritchard makes his starting debut for the Eels. In previous weeks the injection of the senior Pritchard has led to a reshuffle of the edges for Parramatta. Manu Ma’u has switched from the left-edge to the right to allow for Frank to presumably play on his preferred edge. Will Manu play out the entire 80min on Saturday from the right? While I would prefer to see Manu Ma’u in his native environment on the left-edge, having consistency in our edges – especially in defence is ideal. We could also be leveraging bigger minutes out of Frank this weekend given our current lack of edge specialists at our disposal (Moeora, Edwards suspended. Niukore injured).

 

David Gower and Siosaia Vave have inched their way into the top seventeen although it remains to be seen if they will feature come game day given the new roster rules. Gower is a proven contributor under Arthur and certainly won’t let anyone down – even if he lacks for flash. Vave has been slowly building at Wentworthville over the last two rounds after completing his rehabilitation for a shoulder injury. There are potentially a few more cobwebs to dust out for the big man but he could be a difference maker from the bench for the Eels.

 

Parramatta Eels side

1. Bevan French

2. Semi Radradra

3. Michael Jennings

4. Brad Takairangi

5. Josh Hoffman

6. Clint Gutherson

7. Corey Norman

8. Suaia Matagi

9. Kaysa Pritchard

10. Tim Mannah (c)

11. Manu Ma’u

12. Frank Pritchard

13. Beau Scott (c)

Interchange

14. Nathan Brown

15. Daniel Alvaro

16. David Gower

17. Siosaia Vave

18. Rory O’Brien

19. Cameron King

20. Kirisome Auva’a

21. Jeff Robson

 

Intrust Super Premiership

 

It is only fitting that the Wenty Magpies would roar to life when I succumbed to the flu and couldn’t make the pilgrimage to Ringrose Park! The Magpies put a decidely lacklustre start to the season behind them as they laid a fifty burger on the Blacktown-Manly joint venture, winning 52-8.

 

There are a handful of reinforcements this week as Wenty look to start to make a run. Nathan Davis, who starred in his surprise return to his old club last week, has been officially named while Cameron King and Peni Terepo also feature in the starting team. King’s availability will have to be monitored through the week given he may potentially be in line for a call up to the NRL but Terepo is a welcome addition to the young pack.

 

Wenty are seemingly without any of Jeff Robson, David Gower, Siosaia Vave and Rory O’Brien given that they are exclusively named to the extended first grade list this week.

 

(Hakuna) Marata Niukore will be watching from the bleachers this week after a heavy collision in Round 3 saw him stretchered off and taken to hospital for scans. Fortunately he was cleared of any serious injuries and will miss a week through concussion protocol.

 

Wentworthville Magpies side.

1. Scott Schulte

20. Bureta Fariamo

4. Nathan Davis

25. Kirisome Auva’a

5. George Jennings

6. Jamal Fogarty

7. Troy Dargan

8. Alex Twal

9. Cameron King

10. Peni Terepo

11. Cody Nelson (c)

12. Jack Morris

21. Joseph Ualesi

Interchange

14. Kelepi Tanginoa

22. James Hasson

15. Sam Gorman

17. Danny Howard

18. Atini Gafa

 

Holden Cup Team List

 

Just like their senior team mates in the ISP, the Eels broke their duck in Round 3. Unlike Wenty, who comprehensively spanked their opponents, the young boys in the Holden Cup took the points in a high scoring shoot out winning 36-28.

 

Luke Burt has made some minor changes as the boys have their first hit out at home in 2017. Greg Leleisiuao, a late inclusion over Haze Dunster in Round 3, makes his first TLT start for the Eels while young gun prop Oregon Kafusi forces his way into the starting pack. Beni Valu is potentially in line for his first cap in the Holden Cup after earning a spot in the top seventeen.

 

Parramatta Eels NYC side

1. Anthony Layoun

2. Greg Leleisiuao

3. Tuimavave Afualo

4. Dane Aukafolau

5. John Fonua

6. Dean Matterson (c)

7. Kamren Cryer

8. Sean Keppie

9. Denzal Tonise

10. Oregon Kafusi

11. Filia Utoikamanu

12. Salesi Faingaa

13. Tangi Hokai

Interchange

14. Reed Mahoney

15. Mitch Butfield

16. Beni Valu

17. Dylan Clifford

18. Dom Murphy

19. Noel Aukafolau

20. Haze Dunster

21. Austin Dias

22. Jye Challenor

23. Nick Okladnikov