NRL Team List
We begin this edition of Team List Tuesday with a smidgen of intrigue following the live coverage of Team List Tuesday on NRL.com where they mentioned the Eels had sought an extension on announcing their final team sheet for Round 10. This of course will have every fan of the Blue & Gold sitting on the edges of their seats waiting for news about Mitchell Moses.
The whole process surrounding the extension is uncharted territory for fans. The Titans were denied an application to play Dale Copley against the Eels in Round 3 because they didn’t originally apply for an extension on their team sheet. The Eels however have apparently received permission so despite having named a full 21-man team sheet I imagine that we now have 24 hours to resubmit a new list. Keep refreshing your inboxes and updating your Twitter feeds for anything official about Moses I guess folks!
On to the team itself and Brad Arthur has named an unchanged line up following our comprehensive victory over the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 9. Most eyes will immediately be drawn to the fact that Bevan French is named on the extended bench. As it would happen NRL.com released an article just prior to the announcement of all Round 10 teams focusing on Bevan targeting a return this week so a reshuffle is clearly on the table.
How that potential reshuffle plays out is the real story of this week’s TLT. While he could (emphasis on could) be named to the wing or bench, French is odds on to play fullback should he take to the field against the Roosters. This immediately displaces Clinton Gutherson who is in turn likely to rekindle his partnership in the halves with Corey Norman at the expense of Will Smith. Of course, Mitchell Moses is the wildcard in all of this. If his name turns up on a resubmitted team sheet then Gutherson seems destined to find a home at right centre. Kirisome Auva’a is the unfortunate loser in this outcome. Tough decisions abound for BA.
Finally, Rory O’Brien returns from a hamstring injury and nabs a spot on the extended bench. It isn’t anything too notable in the context of first grade but it does represent a big boost to Wentworthville – who themselves are enjoying a strong return to form following a 3-game win streak.
Parramatta Eels side
1. Clinton Gutherson
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Kirisome Auva’a
5. Josh Hoffman
6. Will Smith
7. Corey Norman
8. Suaia Matagi
9. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Tim Mannah (c)
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange
14. Beau Scott (c)
15. Daniel Alvaro
16. Kenny Edwards
17. Siosaia Vave
18. David Gower
19. Rory O’Brien
20. Bevan French
21. Cameron King
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
The Magpies are back baby. Consecutive wins over the Bulldogs, Panthers and Jets now have them sitting inside the Top 8 and following the Rep Round bye they welcome back a swathe of reinforcements. Jeff Robson and Rory O’Brien reclaim their spots in the starting line up following reasonable lay-offs. George Jennings also returns after a week off for a minor leg injury. They also seem destined to be boosted by the return of Will Smith should Bevan French prove to good to play in first grade this week while Kirisome Auva’a could technically be an outside shot at lining up for the Magpies as well.
Dane Aukafolau rejoins the team by way of the Holden Cup following a calf injury to John Folau. The boom centre is riding high following some strong indiviudal form and a call-up to the Junior Kiwis (who were unfortunately walloped by the Junior Roos) and will be looking to cut his teeth on the tougher competition in the ISP. Aukafolau’s team mate Troy Dargan does the reverse as he makes way back to the Holden Cup due to a crowded play-making department.
Wentworthville Magpies side.
1. Honeti Tuha
20. Bureta Faraimo
3. Nathan Davis
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. George Jennings
6. Jamal Fogarty
7. Jeff Robson
8. Alex Twal
9. Cameron King
10. Rory O’Brien
11. Marata Niukore
12. Cody Nelson (c)
13. David Gower
Interchange
14. James Hasson
15. Kelepi Tanginoa
16. Joseph Ualesi
17. Jack Morris
18. Sam Gorman
Holden Cup Team List
Luke Burt has made three changes to the team that demolished the second seeded North Queensland Cowboys in Round 9. Troy Dargan returns from a long stint in the ISP and will replace Kamren Cryer. Cryer has performed admirably in his role as backup half for the Eels and will likely get another chance in the near future should Dargan be recalled to the ISP.
Dane Aukafolau has been promoted to the ISP and it seems Luke Burt must be a fan of George R.R. Martin because he believes that there must always be an Aukafolau in a NYC team list (the relevant reference here is that ‘there must always be a Stark in Winterfell’ for those that may miss it) after naming Dane’s younger brother Noel Aukafolau in his stead.
Curiously, Noel is also expected to play for our SG Ball team in the Under 18s National Championship this Saturday unless the Eels have elected to promote Noel and call upon the likes of William Kei for the junior fixture.
The final change comes in the form of Frank Salu earning a recall to the starting team at prop. Tangi Hokai makes way for Salu and slips back to 18th man.
Parramatta Eels NYC side
1. Anthony Layoun
2. Greg Leleisiuao
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. John Fonua
6. Dean Matterson (c)
7. Troy Dargan
8. Sean Keppie
9. Denzal Tonise (c)
10. Frank Salu
11. Filia Utoikamanu
12. Salesi Faingaa
13. Ray Stone
Interchange
14. Reed Mahoney
15. Mitch Butfield
16. Beni Valu
17. Oregon Kaufusi
18. Tangi Hokai
19. Dom Murphy
20. Haze Dunster
21. Emosi Alamoti
22. Austin Dias
23. Sam McGregor
The Moses saga must have some legs if they are asking for an extension. I guess that it is all depending on Loloheah signing with the Tigers. That being the case the Tigers would not be treating the process with any urgency
The only logical explanation for the Moses saga is that the two clubs must have already agreed or are extremely close to a resolution.
You’d have to think if not this weekend, he’ll definitely be an Eel by next Monday.
I’m more then happy for Moses to come next year.
I like what I’m seeing from will smith his combination with Norman is good.
When takarangi returns were do we play him if we have Moses by then n French at full back with guth taking avua spot. I’m thinking this is what the back line will look like.
1. French ( gutherson ) if French out.
2. Radradra
3. Jennings
4. Gutherson ( avua ) gutherson goes to FB if French out.
5. Hoffman
6. Moses
7.norman.
With so many forward’s do we play takarangi in the pack ?
8. Matagi
9. Pritchard
10. Mannah
11. Mua
12. Moeroa
13. Brown.
Maybe somewhere on the bench.
14. Scott
15. Vava
16. Kenny
17. Alvaro.
Any idea’s would be good.
This is going to be a real selection headache for BA. The good thing is he is aware of what he is trying to acieve and I have no doubt that he has already formulated a plan going forward leaving the rest of us to speculate
John I’m glad I’m not BA … Personally I’d have takarangi coming off the bench.
Not a bad thought Rev. He can cover a few roles.
Yeah I no.
But I’m thinking his days at centre are over.
What makes matters worse is having Kane evens coming next year.
It is getting to the point where we will see players we think are certainties for the 17 missing out. I like the improvement that Peni Terepo has made under BA but he will struggle for a spot next year. What of F Pritchard will he earn an extension for next year. Probably not.
After losing tonight the Tigers will need to win 10 of their last 14 games, that is nearly impossible. Does this mean that Moses will be released early???
John I’m thinking frank the tank will only see out this year hench why we got Kane Evans.
As for Peni I like him also but can’t find a spot for him.
Maybe we drop Alvaro n Scott n put Kane n Peni in there spots.
The way brown is playing ATM I can’t see Scott getting in the starting pack anytime soon. Maybe eels pay him out for his last year. Who knows. Peni runs like ffmm he just needs to learn how to catch.