The Cumberland Throw

Team List Tuesday – Moeroa, Mo Problems (For Cronulla) Edition

NRL Team List

 

It is a mixed bag for the Blue & Gold faithful when it comes to TLT this week. Fresh off the heart-breaking news that Tony Williams will miss the remainder of the 2018 season following his second ruptured ACL, it seems that Nathan Brown’s ankle injury is worse than initially thought. The standout lock forward is now scheduled for a Round 12 return as he joins an increasingly crowded injury ward.

Kane Evans (Calf, Round 12) and Jarryd Hayne (Hip Flexor, Round 12) are due back that same week while the luckless Greg Leleisiuao (Thumb, Round 15) is now on pace to miss more than half of the season due to assorted injuries. Kirisome Auva’a is out indefinitely as it stands but as we see with this week’s team list – it means he could be back next week given Beau Scott’s rapid turnaround from the same-such diagnosis.

The handful of fit Eels that Brad Arthur can call upon this week welcome back Tepai Moeroa with the young backrower finally clearing the concussion protocol and stepping immediately back into the starting team on the right edge.

Beyond that it is an unchanged line up for the Eels as they look to bottle their winning formula over the last fortnight. Saturday night’s game is almost certainly going to be an ugly grind – as are most fixtures between the Eels and Sharks but a pivotal third consecutive win this week would position the Eels for a genuine tilt at leveling their win/loss record in the coming weeks.

Some way, some how Parramatta have to find a way to break the cycle against Cronulla. Invariably in each encounter between these two teams it feels like the Eels fall into the pace of the Sharks and stray from their own strengths. The thrilling victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday saw them stay true to their own identity, even with the game on the line in the final 12-minutes and Parramatta will need to channel that same focus this week in order to break Cronulla’s bizarre hold over them.

The Sharks are juggling an injury crisis of their own currently with Josh Dugan, Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis all missing in action while Wade Graham is managing a hamstring niggle. Even so, the trip to the Shire will be a genuine test for our boys as they look to further atone for that brutal start to the season.

 

Parramatta Eels side
1.Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Bevan French
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. George Jennings
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Suaia Matagi
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Peni Terepo
Interchange
14. Will Smith
15. Kenny Edwards
16. David Gower
17. Tim Mannah (c)
18. Cameron King
19. Beau Scott
20. Josh Hoffman
21. Marata Niukore

 

Intrust Super Premiership

 

Don’t look now but the Wentworthville Magpies are on a three-game winning streak featuring two wins over Top 4 clubs. Their differential (-48) might still be horrible but the sheer weight of their victories has propelled them into 6th position on the ladder and a win this week over the 3rd placed Canterbury Bulldogs could position them for a run at the Top 4 in the coming weeks.

For Wenty, the turnaround has simply been about competing better in every phase of play. It sounds simple enough when you spell it out like that (aka The Homer Simpson Management Style) but Nathan Cayless’ men have rolled up their sleeves and started belting their opponents off the park by owning the ruck. It has certainly alleviated their issues with consistent play-making and game management from their ramshackle spine but that has a very interesting twist this week!

With Jersey Flegg breaking up for a fortnight due to a mandated 2-week global bye, the Eels have the chance to promote some of their more seasoned talent. Enter Reed Mahoney and Jaeman Salmon. Mahoney of course is no stranger to this team having starred in their two preseason fixtures and the upset victory over Penrith in Round 1. How the ubiquitous Salmon handles the play-making responsibilities will be fascinating viewing…if this game didn’t clash with our first-grade game.

CURSE YOU NSWRL SCHEDULING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As Wenty and Parramatta have been wont to in recent weeks, a host of premium talent is missing from the initial team list. Josh Hoffman, Cameron King and Marata Niukore should be near-certainties to pull on the black and white jerseys on Saturday while it will be interesting to see what happens with Beau Scott. Parramatta’s surplus NRL talent has proven critical in arresting Wenty’s early season slide so look for them to continue their strong run of form.

On a side note, the incredible odyssey of Piki Rogers continues! From bench prop, to starting five-eighth and now to right-edge backrower, the big man has shown some impressive utility for the Magpies this year.

 

Wentworthville Magpies side
1. Nathan Milone
2. Eddie Aiono
3. Nathan Davis
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Atini Gafa
6. Jaeman Salmon
7. Arana Taumata
8. Siosaia Vave
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Magnus Stromquist
11. Matt Woods
12. Piki Rogers
13. Ray Stone (c)
Interchange
14. Brad Deitz
15. Haimona Hiroti
16. Kurt De Luis
17. Jack Morris

 

Jersey Flegg Team List

 

The Jersey Flegg has entered a two-week global bye.

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22 thoughts on “Team List Tuesday – Moeroa, Mo Problems (For Cronulla) Edition

  1. MattL

    Pumped for this clash.
    Injuries are certainly a bummer but without them, would we ever have seen Gennings this year?

    1. Forty20 Post author

      Excellent point Matt. Injury absolutely breeds opportunity. Next man up and George has taken his chance with both hands.

  2. Rowdy

    Good thought fodder there Forty.
    I believe we are blessed to have Tepi coming back after the tragedy for Trex
    with the timing sadly but fortunately exquisite. I’d like to point out that I thought big Tony was making a formidable contribution on that right edge which was ironically just reward for his commitment to get fit and lose 12 kgs while BA’s astute management of Trex and his confidence in him being able to deliver once he got back on the paddock was vindicated. Not bad for a Bush Coach eh?

  3. Norm Gunderson

    It’s interesting that injury produced our current backline configuration. Taka has been great in his return to the centres and Gennings has been outstanding. I know this is the perpetual question, but really, who makes way for Hayne? I’d love to see the current iteration of our backline stay for a while.

  4. Gazzamatta

    I spied Somi in the sheds prior to his absence pulling his jumper over heavily strapped ribs. I reckon he may have played a few week injured. Our backline looks pretty set at the moment with The Hoff also showing great form in the ISP. I reckon if we need Somi he would play.

    1. Gazzamatta

      Similar with Brown. I recall taped ribs there as well. Maybe a combination of ribs and ankle. I reckon its more a case of getting him 100% while our forwards are going well. Hes too important to risk.

  5. Milo

    It will be a well earned win this week if we get it. Missing some size i think and Cronulla are not at their best; but they always aim up for us.

  6. Colin Hussey

    I am pleased to see Tepai back as an edge forward and on his rightful side.

    With Trex & Browns injuries, Tep is going to be needed to fill the running forwards role on the right side, a position he has filled very well in the past, sincerely hope he gets through long minutes as he needs the play time and concussion free minutes.

    The big thing for me is do we keep Smith on the bench as a replacement for Kaysa, or bring Beau back to ensure the pack has ample grunt, or maybe give Marata a run?

    Going from the last to the first, some are saying that Marata is not showing much at Wenty, yet BA keeps bringing him on to the extended bench where he is usually in the first 2 to be put back to Wenty. If the injuries to our back rowers continue, Marata really needs to be given a chance to show his wares.
    Beau, may well be a very angry man as he has not really showed much this year, and we are the worse for that, does he deserve another shot at a main bench spot? A game against Cronulla could well be the type of game that will bring out the best in him.
    Will Smith. A perfect utility but is it waste having him the bench as 14th man and not using him? Aside from that is his role more to give Kaysa a rest or insurance for an injury in the backline? Kaysa showed he had the goods against a tough Wests pack, Sharks are maybe a step above the Tigers though.

    If the choices were up to me, I would drop Cameron King and Hoffman first up back to ISP. Depending on how Kaysa pulls up after his last few minutes against Wests where he was hobbling around, its likely Smith may stay as the insurance player. Meaning that Scott will drop out, and Marata, but if Kaysa is ok, I would like to see Marata given a shot, otherwise Scott will replace Smith.

    Just a very uneducated guess!

    1. Tad

      Colin I understand the dilemma you have with Will Smith as a backup for Kaysa or having another forward on the bench. Smith has a lot to offer fresh I would like to maybe consider Gutherson relieve Kaysa to help Kaysa with a bit of time out from the high activity role he plays .Would like to keep a bigger body on the Bench sadly at the expense of Smith..Not sure about how to accommodate this though.

      1. Colin Hussey

        Tad, I have mentioned somewhere regarding Gutho who has gone into Dummy half at times, have noticed it since he’s been back this year also last year before his injury as well and he does a pretty good job there as well, an ideal foil for Kaysa to give him a bit of a break if that’s possible. I noticed on the eels site that Kaysa looked ok in the training photo’s today, which is good news as he was hobbling a bit at the end against wests.

        Who stays on the bench will be interesting, but I would like to see Marata go to the bench in place of Smith, just to give him a run in the top side, give him some confidence for the future if he’s to be kept. Marata was a centre before he came to the eels so could fill in either in the forwards or backs as needed.

        While I have not seen him play, I would just love to see how he goes in the top squad.

        1. Tad

          Colin I don,t know anything about him—It would be interesting to see how some of the names people mention as future up comers go when the opportunity arises — maybe giving some players carrying injuries should be give an extra week off for fuller recoveries and give some of these guys a taste of first grade as they probably will need to be called upon later in the year

          1. Colin Hussey

            Tad, I have seen Stone play in the last couple of years, and Marata once at least, also some others in the lower grades. Mahoney and Salmon at the Maitland, while that’s not a lot I personally feel I have seen enough in the lower grades to want to see them at the higher level.

            The ideal opportunity may be to have them on the bench instead of Will Smith, at least those that are eligble, and we are likely to need another two players to be added to the top squad, with Trex’s season ending injury. We know what value Will brings to the team, so its not a downgrade to him as he has signed for another 2 years, so why not use one of the others to see how they handle the higher level, after they are also training with the NRL squad

  7. The rev aka Snedden

    40/20 how good is it knowing we have 1st grade quality in reserve grade. Been a while sence we call on our back up. Look at David Gower for example how good has he been the last 2 weeks n George Jennings they are both doing what BA is asking of them n some.

    1. Colin Hussey

      Aah Brother Aka, I am much too pleased to see the Yowie in the team somewhere, age has not wearied him at all, and young George is shining batch of white ivories much akin to big brother Michael as he shows his joy playing for the eels and in the top squad. Me believes that we have the #2 spot ably covered now.

      1. The rev aka Snedden

        I tend to agree. Gower might not be a house hold name who punches out big numbers but what I do like about him is he goes about his work. I like that in ppl who just go about there work no questions asked.

    1. Colin Hussey

      I would like to see him with one, he’s worn one previously.

      Thing is the Jury is still out as to their overall benefit but from where I sit any little benefit they may give is worth taking on board.

      Our eldest son played RU for years up until he turned 36, and he gave it away as he was taking too many knocks, he wore headgear for many years, said it helped protect from head knocks. more by cushioning some of the impact, he’s glad he did.

      1. mitch

        Unfortunately, Rugby League headgear gives limited to no protection against concussion or CTE injuries. Although they may protect against minor superficial head injuries (cuts, lacerations, abrasions) it does not reduce the incidence of concussion and thus wouldn’t be able to help Tep here.

    2. Tooks

      Headgear does nothing to protect against concussion, unfortunately.. It’s designed to prevent cuts, abrasions etc.

    1. Salty Pete

      I’ve watch Salmon and he’s a high energy player – a lot like Gutho. Great skills and reads the game very well. Also, very impressed with Mahoney. I think both these guys are future NRLers.

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