NRL Team List
After weeks of speculation and drama (entirely on the end of the Wests Tigers) Mitchell Moses finally has been released from his contract to join the Parramatta Eels and it could not have come at a better time with Corey Norman set for six weeks in the bleachers as per the most recent injury report from the club. While there is still no official confirmation to the severity of Norman’s injury, the six week time line lends credence to the media reports of a Grade 2 MCL tear.
Although Brad Arthur has named Moses to the extended bench in the #21 it seems all but a given that the young play-maker will make his club debut against the Raiders given how desperately the Eels need a reliable kicking game.
This would of course come at the expense of Will Smith. Smith struggled to assert himself against the Roosters and eventually ceded the play-making responsibilities to Kenny Edwards when Corey Norman and Clinton Gutherson left the field due to injury. This is far from the end for Smith mind you. He made a top flight return to the NRL from a lengthy injury lay-off relatively quickly and will benefit from more time to build in the Intrust Super Premiership.
Bevan French will be a key inclusion for the Eels as they look to extract every ounce of creative ability from their spine against the Raiders. French will resume his custodial duties for the Eels, meaning that Gutherson will partner Moses in the halves.
There are two more Eels to return from injury lay-offs, both long and short. Beau Scott and Brad Takairangi are both named to the 21-man team sheet – although Takairangi features on the extended bench. Scott will play from the bench after missing the Round 10 clash against the Roosters.
Parramatta Eels side
1. Bevan French
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Kirisome Auva’a
5. Josh Hoffman
6. Clint Gutherson
7. Will Smith
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. Brad Takairangi
21. Mitchell Moses
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
The Magpies fell 32-12 victims to the reigning premiers in the Illawarra Steelers on Sunday, bringing an end to the winning run. They now regroup and refocus on the New Zealand Warriors as they host the Kiwi franchise at Ringrose on Sunday.
Nathan Cayless has tweaked his team ever so slightly as John Folau returns from a calf injury to knock Dane Aukafolau back down to the Holden Cup.
The Magpies could also be boosted by a number of off-cuts from the 21-man NRL team. Will Smith seems to be a certainty to don the black & white barring while the return of Beau Scott will see David Gower back into the fold for Wenty. Should Brad Takairangi make a surprise return from injury, Kirisome Auva’a could also find himself facing the Warriors on Sunday.
Wentworthville Magpies side
1. Honeti Tuha
20. Bureta Faraimo
3. Nathan Davis
4. John Folau
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. Sam Gorman
15. Kelepi Tanginoa
16. Jack Morris
17. Joseph Ualesi
Holden Cup Team List
The Eels clawed their way from behind to steal a 30-28 victory over the Sydney Roosters and in doing so, claim their first Top 4 berth of the season. Luke Burt has only made one change accordingly and it comes as Dane Aukafolau slips back down from ISP to once more displace his younger brother Noel from the team.
Joseph Taipari becomes the first fresh SG Ball player to feature on the Holden Cup team list in some time after the Eels completed their 2017 SG Ball campaign in considerable style with a commanding 48-12 victory over the Western Mustangs in the Under 18s National Championship. Taipari is joined in the extended squad by fellow SG Ball squad member Haze Dunster, who has already been graded in the Under 20s at the start of the season.
Parramatta Eels NYC side
1. Anthony Layoun
2. Greg Leleisiuao
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Dane 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. Noel Aukafolau
20. Dom Murphy
21. Joseph Taipari
22. Haze Dunster
23. Austin Dias
Mitch is not going to make the run on side any better this week than the run on side last week. However if he is not there this week we would have been a whole lot worse off.
Yep. I’m not expecting any miracles (insert Moses related biblical pun) but rather the most important thing Moses can bring on such short notice is a competent kicking game – which we desperately need with Norman out.
BA on radio has said Moses will start the game, I see Smith and Auva’a as casualties to ISP with Taka getting his 4 spot back.
Moses I think showed glimpses of what he could do in the game against the eels, thing is though it puts our spine as a relatively small and young, so will be very much targeted by the the Canberra big boys, meaning the forwards will have to step up big time, and about time really.
I’ll have a crack – Moses/Taka halves, Gutho to the centres, French to stay at the back. Auva’a and Smith to miss out.
Interesting!!
At least that would improve the right edge defence. I will be surprised though if you are right.
I like that idea Mitch 😉
Do you think Takz will play? I was surprised, but pleased, to see him included.
Personally I would like to see both Hoffman and Auv’aa drop out to be replaced by either French/Gutho and Taka to tighten up that right side defence – both of them were very poor last week and when lateral defence was required Auv’aa couldn’t make it and to me Hoffman has given very little in the whole campaign.
Moses and Smith in the halves for mine – while he didn’t have too good a game last week, Smith showed enough in the cowboys game to warrant persisting with. Always need to remember if the forwards are being dominated, like they were last week, the halves are on a hiding to nothing.
I like your thinking Mitch. I would have Moses at 7 Taka 6 Guth center and Auva’a wing with Smith and Hoff to miss out as Auva’a would give better kick returns and has playedwing when at souths.
Did Auva’a play wing in South’s GF win??
No he played center in the gf.
Mitch, I like it and this time I’m hoping it plays out for you…😀