NRL Team List
Brad Arthur was tasked with the nigh impossible responsibility of naming his first seventeen for the Round 1 derby against the Penrith Panthers and in delivering his verdict for Team List Tuesday he has produced a twist that will likely shock the Blue & Gold legion.
In the mad jostle for a position on the interchange bench, Kenny Edwards has seemingly lost his spot in the top seventeen at the Eels. It was always going to be a feisty battle for the handful of spots available given the armada of talented backrowers the Eels have assembled in recent times but I honestly thought Edwards would be one of the real certainties for the bench. Don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking Arthur for making a damn tough call – it just surprised me.
Let’s see if we can break down why Edwards was the unlucky man out in the first proper iteration of TLT in 2018.
First things first, it was clear from the get go that one of Tim Mannah, Daniel Alvaro and Kane Evans would occupy one of the interchange spots (with the other two starting). For Round 1, Evans has been tasked with bringing the thunder from the bench – similar to what he produced in the trial against Newcastle. A greedy coach could gamble on running a sole interchange prop and juggle the workload among backrowers but it would seem ‘BA’ is erring on the side of convention with Suaia Matagi named as the second rotational prop. Matagi has gotten the nod over Peni Terepo at first glance but the recently released injury report reveals that Peni is sidelined until Round 3 with a hamstring issue.
Now left with just two spots on the bench, ‘BA’ has selected a utility backrower in Brad Takairangi and a rotational lock in Beau Scott. This is where we get into the contentious TLT territory.
Takairangi’s preseason transition to the backrow obviously played a big part in adding to the logjam in the backrow at Parramatta. After a composed showing against Newcastle in the backrow, the towering utility edged out both Edwards and preseason standout Will Smith. While Edwards may be the better pure backrower and Smith may provide greater cover across the backline, Takairangi’s unique blend of size and skill have held him in good stead here.
That leads us to Scott – the bench enforcer for Arthur. I imagine that this is where fans will most likely want to squeeze Kenny into the line up but logistically it probably doesn’t add up. Scott and Edwards provide decidedly different skill sets from the bench with the former bringing an element of grit and wile to the team while the latter brings an explosion of energy and up-tempo play.
The problem for Edwards is that while he has spent a small amount of time in the middle, he is by far and away a right-edge specialist…and with Tepai Moeroa and Takairangi already named you simply can not efficiently rotate three men into one position.
Of course after typing all of that, ‘BA’ could also be playing a grand ruse on all of us and Edwards will be a gameday inclusion against the Panthers on Sunday! Either way, opportunity will knock for Kenny sooner rather than later.
The starting team is named exactly as you would expect given what we knew from both 2017 and the trial against the Knights. To say that we as a fanbase are excited for this game would be selling it terribly short. Sunday can not come soon enough.
Parramatta Eels squad
1. Bevan French
2. Josh Hoffman
3. Michael Jennings
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Kirisome Auva’a
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Cameron King
10. Tim Mannah (c)
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange
14. Beau Scott (c)
15. Brad Takairangi
16. Suaia Matagi
17. Kane Evans
18. Will Smith
19. Kenny Edwards
20. David Gower
21. Kaysa Pritchard
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
Wentworthville have named a surprisingly ‘weak’ team to start the season but understandably so when you consider that a number of premium first grade talents have been left out of both the NRL and ISP teams. Come game day, the make up of this team could change significantly with the likes of David Gower, Kaysa Pritchard, Will Smith and Kenny Edwards in the mix to don the Black & White – so keep that in mind.
Anthony Layoun will take on the custodial role for Wenty and will be looking to build on a productive run in the Rugby League World Cup with Lebanon. Newcomer Eddie Aiono has won a spot on the wing while Parramatta juniors fill out the backline in Atini Gafa, Nathan Davis and the promising Dane Aukafolau.
With Pritchard named to the extended bench in first grade, boom rake Reed Mahoney will provisionally start for the Magpies and will shoulder a hefty responsibility in an inexperienced spine. Ray Stone will lock down the ruck at, erm, lock while new recruit Andy Saunders earns a spot on the bench.
As it stands, Wenty are in for a tough opener to the season. Penrith are always a fair proposition in this grade. An injection of genuine first grade talent will go a long way towards getting them into the contest but it remains to be seen how ‘BA’ will let Nathan Cayless utilise his surplus NRL talent.
It is also worth noting that Wentworthville have a swathe of talent returning in the coming rounds. Siosaia Vave (Calf/Round 2), Jaeman Salmon (Neck/Round 3), Greg Leleisiuao (Knee/Round 3), Tony Williams (Suspension, Round 3), Marata Niukore (Suspension/Round 2), Peni Terepo (Hamstring/Round 3) and George Jennings (Elbow/Round 2) make for a serious contingent of core players unavailable for Round 1 selection.
Wentworthville Magpies ISP squad
1. Anthony Layoun
2. Atini Gafa
3. Dane Aukafolau
4. Nathan Davis
5. Eddie Aiono
6. Kauri Appouri
7. Zach Nicholls
8. Magnus Stromquist
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Piki Rogers
11. Matt Woods
12. Haimona Hitori
13. Ray Stone
Interchange
14. Sam Gorman
15. Andy Saunders
16. Nick Kassis
17. Daniel Dole
18. Brad Deitz
19. Dylan Izzard
20. Jack Morris
Jersey Flegg Team List
If the NRL team list packed a big surprise and the ISP team list left you lacking for an impression, the Flegg squad is happy to play Goldilocks this week and find a happy medium! Dean Feeney has named a strong squad after a wake-up-call result against Newcastle in their final preseason hit out.
John Fonua, Salesi Faingaa and Ethan Parry are absent presumably due to injury, otherwise you could pencil them in as starters at fullback, right edge backrow and right winger respectively but beyond that the Eels look formidable through the back, forwards and halves.
A specialist winger in most weeks, Haze Dunster will handle the responsibility of fullback for the time being. Michael Cheer and Taufa Afu get their chance to shine on the flakes in light of the reshuffled backline while returning stalwarts Tui Afualo and Noel Aukafolau provide plenty of talent and experience in the centres.
Dylan Brown and Joseph Taipari are set to continue their sensational combination in the halves while Sean Keppie, Oregon Kaufusi, Dlyan Clifford and Michael Tupou headline an industrious and explosive forward pack.
Much like the senior ISP competition, Penrith are always a competitive outfit in this grade and as such, present a serious challenge for the Eels as they look to kick start their 2018 season.
Eels Jersey Flegg squad
1. Haze Dunster
2. Michael Cheer
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. Taufa Afu
6. Joseph Taipari
7. Dylan Brown
8. Sean Keppie
9. Jaydn Field
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Nick Oklandnikov
12. Dylan Clifford
13. Michael Tupou
Interchange
14. Jesse Cronin
15. Sam McGregor
16. Beni Valu
17. Austin Dias
18. James Porter
19. William Kei
Sunday can’t come quickly enough. I’m certain the boys will do us all proud.
Good write up 40/20.
I like many I’m surprised that Kenny is not in the 17 but not fused either. I like the bench it has 2 props n 2 versatile backrowers to me it shows that BA will be moving moeroa n brown to bench to give them a spell. Some would say why no smith well I like brad like king being a 80 minute hooker. With king he has a much better passing game from DH n good kicking game to help take the pressure of Moses n Norman.
There is 1 player that I’m shocked by is DG didn’t expect his name to pop up. I was thinking he will be in the ISP backrower.
#Eels4life#
Being named in the top 21 would be a reward for Gowie. He’s a total professional at training, a great media go to player and has been close to, if not, best on field in two trials.
Very interesting article 40; i must admit i am a bit gobsmacked. But 40 your approach to where they play on the field does make sense. I guess I am surprised a guy who played centre 4 months ago or so is now second row and in the 17 ahead of players like Kenny and co. I have utmost faith in the coaching staff but this is a surprise but no doubt there will be more throughout the season and maybe Kenny may be a late inclusion…..the pennies will be fired up to prove something with the media issues re: Gould etc. Parra need to beware of the ambush!!
Interesting comments Milo. I had a quick discussion with Forty before the team was named, and we both had Kenny Edwards in the 17. However, it was tougher to work out the bench rotation. Matagi makes that simpler.
Having Matagi makes sense and also when Forty explained players playing particular sides this also made sense.
I was hoping to see your name on the bench game day mate. I heard your preseason was consistent….
The team is consistent with the Newcastle selection; Hoffman, King are in, surprised there is no Will Smith, he adds a spark when he comes on but I guess it comes down to balance. Team looks strong, bring on the Panthers.
Smith deserves inclusion, as does Edwards. Deserving players are going to miss out each week. Perhaps that may change depending on the opponent
I am shocked by Kenny’s omission I must confess. This is probably as Milo says that Taka is trying to reacquaint himself as an edge forward. Kenny on the other hand is a proven product.
However I am not questioning BA on this he rarely makes a mistake just a bit surprised.
It’s all about the bench rotation in my opinion.
Jarryd Hayne, Man of the Match. 2 Tries, 4 Line breaks, 1 Try Assist.
Huge call! He’ll get better as the season progresses too.
Overall the teams look good, especially with the number of players not considered owing to injuries, suspensions etc.
Like everyone I am surprised at the omission of Edwards, but as suggested he could still play with Taka going to ISP. The inclusion of Gower though does not really surprise me as he can play big minutes and do the exact job & likely more than asked to do.
Thing is how many will be at Wenty on Sunday, I tend to not really like the naming of 21 players and then to reduce the numbers on the required days, to me the two top teams that is the NRL squad and ISP squad should be training with and playing against each other at training, for the cohesion of the two teams. Allow the extended bench to be also interchanged at set times, in a manner that has happened in the training runs reported this year, where the players switch their colours.
The problem there Col, is that most of the Wenty side (all the Wentworthville contracted players) are on part-time contracts. They have day jobs, so can’t train as often as the NRL squad.
When all are fit, the majority of Wenty will be NRL players, who train together during the week. But as Pou says, when you have to mix in part timers, it’s a tough ask.
Thanks Rowdy and Sixties, makes a lot of sense. As you say Sixties, with 30 players on NRL contracts and required for each club, basically speaking, if all are fit, it really only leaves 4 spots for the Wenty contracted players.
In some ways it seems a bit inequitable for them.
Good overall brief 40.
I was pleased to see Taka selected on the bench as he covers halves, 3/4’s and backrow, he has a big body and a skill-set with kicking game that rivals many in our starting side. I believe his second half against Newcastle defied his omission from this weeks team. Taka certainly knows how to rise to the occasion.
The other 3 bench players picked themselves, Scott, Evans and Matagi are tough, relentless competitors who will continue the momentum when injected against a Penrith pack that are large, tough and formidable themselves.
Unfortunately for Kenny E and Wilbur Smith, BA was only allowed to pick 17 players for this 1st round match. Next week it could get even more difficult to change the side if we perform well and come through unscathed as there will be a couple of additional players become available for consideration.
It will be very tough to leave players out Rowdy. I can’t fault Smith or Edwards efforts over the pre-season. They are in my top 10 for effort and execution over the last 3 months.