NRL Team List
The fallout from Saturday’s deflating loss to the Cronulla Sharks rolls right through to Team List Tuesday as the Eels lose Kaysa Pritchard (Groin, Round 14) and Tim Mannah (Eye Socket, Round 14) for the immediate future. With their season balanced precariously on a knife’s edge the timing of this news could not be any worse but Brad Arthur and the team must persevere.
As we have quickly learned this year given our prolonged struggles, there are no easy games in the NRL. Such will the be the case this Friday – Parramatta’s first Friday night game this season incidentally – when the Canterbury Bulldogs come to town with both clubs desperately trying to stay afloat in a decidedly bizarre NRL season.
Will Smith will take over the starting hooker responsibilities with the multi-talented utility cementing his place as the preferred backup hooking option over Cameron King. Despite their collective regression back to the dark days of Round 1-6, the Eels have survived further changes in the listed 1-17 with Beau Scott and Siosaia Vave earning recalls into the vacancies created by the injuries to Pritchard and Mannah.
Parramatta can ill-afford back-to-back losses at this point in the season but the honest truth is that there is no real barometer for their form. After seemingly getting their season back on track with solid victories over Manly and Wests, they fell apart against a vastly undermanned Cronulla outfit for 73 minutes only to roar to life in the final 7 minutes of play.
Any sort of win would be welcome this Friday but I dare say a dogged Canterbury line-up along with the foot-shooting antics of the Eels themselves will make it a tough task.
Still, while there is life there is hope and with a margin of error amounting to four games the Eels still have some life in them – let’s pray that they give themselves as much as their fans a reason to believe there is hope for the remainder of the season.
Parramatta Eels side
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Bevan French
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. George Jennings
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Will Smith
10. Suaia Matagi
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Peni Terepo
14. Beau Scott
15. Kenny Edwards
16. David Gower
17. Siosaia Vave
18. Cameron King
19. Kirisome Auva’a
20. Josh Hoffman
21. Marata Niukore
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
The hot-streak is over. With Wenty failing painstakingly short of the Canterbury Bulldogs on the weekend in a 23-22 defeat, their three-game streak comes undone. Still, they have breathed some life into their campaign and have a chance to consolidate this week when they meet Wyong at a neutral location in Leichardt Oval.
Young guns Jaeman Salmon and Oregon Kaufusi have retained their positions in the team this week while Reed Mahoney has missed out on selection – although whether injury has played a part here is somewhat unclear.
As usual, the named TLT roster is bereft of the four players named to the NRL shadow bench so consider the likes of Cameron King, Kirisome Auva’a, Josh Hoffman and Marata Niukore strong candidates to line up in the ISP this week.
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. Magnus Stromquist
9. Brad Deitz
10. Piki Rogers
11. Matt Woods
12. Haimona Hiroti
13. Ray Stone (c)
Interchange
14. Oregon Kaufusi
15. Carl Winterstein
16. Jack Morris
17. Kurt De Luis
Jersey Flegg Team List
The Jersey Flegg enters the second and final week of a global bye. The competition resumes next week.
I don’t want to be negative but that is the worst line up we have fielded this season im worried
Really … I like it the only part I don’t like is mannah is not coming off the bench. I think his doing well coming off the bench.
Mannah is a big loss vave and matagi in the same team is a worry plus poor old beau just doesn’t have it anymore Will Smith im a big fan but starting at 9 is a worry to.
I agree. I like smith more a 5/8. I say we chase Levi from Newcastle his not getting much game time.
Just a question. How did the younger guys go last week.? Kaufusi, Salmon, Mahoney.?
At best, they probably went well enough to keep their spots in the Wenty ISP team for this week.
Anoyingmouse, we need to all accept that the coaching staff know exactly who is going well (like these fellows you’ve named and you could include Niukore to your list) and who is going so well that they are consistantly putting pressure on an experienced NRL incumbent in their own position. That they force the coaching staff to select them.
Anon, in my never humble opinion? The only one who may be doing that consistently is Marata Niukore , but not in his preferred position of edge forward because he is clearly not a better option than either Tep, Manu, Kedwards or Trex up until last week. 4 into 2 doesn’t go Anon. 5 into 2 is even harder even if you make 4 into 3 by having one on the bench.
I believe he, Niukore has put in sufficient effort and consistent performances in the Reggies to be considered as a middle forward where he was selected for Wenty last week. The coach knows what he is doing mate.
Rowdy, Thanks for the revealing about Marata and how is going. For me the biggest disappointment in this weeks selections is the seemingly ignoring of Marata and preference of Vave in the team.
As you say, the coaching staff know who is performing and I guess with the big Dogs pack we need some big players to try and counter them. I guess having Vave on the bench to replace Matagi may be a good move, if both can play their paddock time at a higher rate than I have seen so far this season & that is Matagi only as he has only had a few spots that show he is working.
The aspect of Marata wanting to play in a specific position is something that many players dream of but they have to play in the position the coach needs filled, that he played Prop last weekend shows he must realise that, again I am disappointed that he is not in the top 17 this week.
The lose of Mannah and Kaysa is big and for Kaysa critics I wonder if he has too big a heart after reading he pushed to go back onto the paddock on Saturday night even with his injury that typifies him and something of his never say die attitude that the whole team should get a transfusion of his blood straight from the heart.
Shame about the injuries BUT all clubs get them; players have to step up. Was hoping Marata may get a run but seems not. I like Smith but am not sure if hooker is his best spot with King on bench. I hope we only have one hooker and not carry one – as C’bury will no doubt have some size on their bench.
Effort – execution – eels. Cometh the hour….
Milo, this will be a big test for Smith, an interview with him said his preferred position is fullback and not sure if its his best though. He did say he does not mind the 9 spot but can he go the full 80 in that spot? time will tell I guess if King comes on to the bench for him, it means two players replace one that is injured.
With only two forwards named on the extended bench it makes me wonder if both of the backs will be first cull, unless there is one of the backs in doubt.
It seems to me a huge risk as far as team selections go, but with a bit of luck and all the players digging in we can beat the dogs.
BA often leaves the real changes until late in the week. If that was to be the case, maybe King starts, Smith to #14, Vave comes in for Matagi and Nuikore comes in on the bench.
I really hope this happens. Fingers crossed!
Why would you have Vave for Matagi? Fair question as I am only relying on reports re Vave in ISP and he has been poor, out of condition as well. Matagi has not done a lot but given the reports I would reluctantly leave Matagi in the squad. The only thing that Vave may have in his favour is he’s around 8Kgs heavier and if he decided to play then it could be an asset
Both Matagi & Vave offer a similar game in the middle and it’s a gamble to include both given they have a tendency to go MIA. Yes Vave’s form has been modest but players often step up when promoted and Matagi’s workload hasn’t been up to NRL standard the past 2 weeks.
The real point was BA’s form has been to make late changes so the team taking the field could well be different.
I have to admit that I am quite concerned with this team, while changes are necessary, owing to more injuries I cannot see this team really worrying the dogs, as they will be growling big time after last weeks loss and their coach being diddled for $25K from the buffoons at Headquarters.
Please excuse this negativity and name calling but I just cannot understand that a player who gets poor reviews week in and out in Vave, is actually chosen in front of someone who could give impact in Niukore.
Vave may be a bit bigger (being nice here) than Marata and after all he has had time in the top side previously, that is last year. But hearing others comments about how he has gone in ISP is not encouraging at all.
Ok, I also read that Marata has not been performing great either but, who has played the worst, and who could really add more to the top squad out of the two. Personally I think that this decision really has put the final nail on Marata’s chances of getting a run in the NRL and a further year or something’s contract. I guess ATM he is now officially a dead player running.
I sincerely hope that come Friday night that Marata is in the 17 and plays the house down. But I am not sure it will happen thus a lot of sadness in me.
Mahoney wasn’t named due to his minutes, the staff (ba and such) don’t want him playing only 30 minutes of football, it’s 80 or bust.
King is on his last chance to impress or Mahoney will most likely take his spot in cup permanently. Hence why Smith was choose over king for first grade. No injury cloud though.
Mahoney can do a 80min show..wish they would play him in cup full-time got to much talent for flegg..
Maybe the simple aspect is that he is not able to play NRL as yet, as he’s only considered a development player by the NRL.
Smith to 14. King to 9. Matagi to bench. Terepo to prop. Edwards to lock. Niukore to bench. Scott to drop off the bench.
Geez, won’t that help our combinations and structures Tyler! Anyone else you have a fancy for mate, throw’em in too. If we just do all the experiments in the same round then at least the death riders will get off BA and his coaching staff’s backs.
Hi Rowdy. I think these changes would help on an individual player level because it is closer to their preferred positions. Therefore, I disagree with your comment about these positional changes being an experiment (except in the case of Niukore). Here is some rationale for the changes:
King to 9 and Smith to 14 – I believe Smith is a utility player. His strength is the flexibility in the positions he can play, however his weakness is that he isn’t particularly strong in any of these positions. In contrast, I see King as a better alternative at 9, with his greatest strength being what he can add to our game management through his kicking game and control.
Terepo to prop, Matagi to bench, and Edwards to lock – I see both of these players as impact props. I believe playing Terepo at lock diminishes his greatest strength, his running game. He becomes so fatigued by the increased workload in the lock position, that he has to focus more on making tackles than running hard. Therefore, I believe Alvaro would be a better pick from a defensive standpoint (as his greatest strength imo, is this stamina), or Edwards, as he has played both 6 and 13, and could offer something in attack with his ability to offload and playmake.
In regards to Niukore, I’ve heard some promising things about him and am not confident enough to talk about what he could bring to the team. But I think some experimentation is positive.
As a final point, I wholeheartedly believe in BA and the coaching staff, and at the end of the day will support the team regardless of who is picked.
Tyler good post, and tend to agree with you.
I also support BA as coach, and he’s very much on a steep learning curve and the way many so called eels supporters are carrying and wanting his blood I really wonder not just on they being fair weather sailors but also most have been raised in the instant world.
Instant soup, instant thumbs machine, instant non reality and have little or no idea of patience, and its infecting on many older people as well, especially in the fan base.
In saying that, I am wondering if BA who is a very loyal person who bleeds B&G is perhaps a bit too loyal and not prepared to take a risk with team selections. Again, that said maybe Vave is a risk and he’s giving him a go as Rowdy has said we need a big body, but seems he’s not at this point prepared to take a risk with the likes of Marata who must think he’s teetering on the edge of a cliff.
Those people calling for blood have been destroying our club ,its coaches and long term solutions for 30 years They are the reason its so hard to fix the place properly , as soon as we lose a few games they want people sacked , lets see it through for once ,christ ba was even hijacked by our own board 2016 and had to start again ,we still havent fixed the carry over from the salary cap yet .
Thanks Tyler, I appreciate your reasoning for all of those positional changes except for Kenny Edwards. Although he has rotated in the middle at 13 and played a little at 6 it really is not his best value to our team imo. He is a genuine edge forward on either side of the field and brings a lot of skill and enthusiasm off the bench into those positions.
My apologies for the harsh manner of my criticism and thanks for your explanations they were quite well presented.
That’s a fair assessment Rowdy. I definitely rate Tepai and Ma’u as our starting edge forwards over Kenny, and perhaps he is better suited coming from the bench as that energy and enthusiasm can be very valuable in later stages of the game. I think when Browny comes back in a couple of rounds it will help a great deal. He shoulders a lot of the workload that Peni and co are dealing with now. That will allow them to do what they do best: run hard, break tackles, and create quick plays.
No no no can’t start Kenny he brings energy from the bench.
You start him n he will be flat come the last 20 minutes
Good read 40/20.
I like the side. I was worried about George Jennings a few weeks back but his doing well yes I know his not semi but his doing well.
I like vave in the team he ads size n boy do we need it up front.
Providing the big body does what is expected of him.
Thanks for the observations 40/20. I reckon you’ve assessed and expressed the reality that BA, his coaching staff and the team are dealing with this week.
Coming up against the bulldogs we will need hard heads (Scott and Vave) in the 17 and Vave’s size and the fact that he can interchange with Matagi with Timmy absent makes his selection an astute one if he stays in the 17.
I believe Matagi needs another mission, probably on either Woods or Klemmer which can be limited to 15-18 minutes where Vave could come on and grab the meters up the middle to support Alvaro and Peni to keep the pressure on the Dogs pack.
If Niukore comes under consideration he should bring his youthful enthusiasm and size into the middle to replace an unfortunate Gower who has done nothing wrong. It allows Manu and Tep to stay on their edges or take a rest from Kedwards too.
Man oh man I thought we were done with Beau Scott. Hes been awful this year. From what i’ve seen in wenty games Vave is far from match fit also.
I’d much rather King to start Smith as a utility and someone like Nikuore get a chance to prove himself.
What I don’t get is why king is not in the #9 jumper. Has his form dropped that much to not get selected in the 17 ?
Interesting question Brother. Very interesting, has the King ready to be abdicated?