NRL Team List
Hakuna Marata. It means no worries – hopefully for the Eels. It has been a long time coming but Marata Niukore is finally scheduled to make his NRL debut this Saturday Friday. Fate, as it so often does, has its grubby hands all over such an occasion with Marata set to play his first NRL game against the club that he played all his junior football with in the New Zealand Warriors.
While it is unfair to heap expectations on the 22-year-old backrower, the Eels are scrambling to find any kind of spark with their season unraveling. In one turn of phrase or another the question will be asked – can Marata play the role of Simba for Brad Arthur and bring Parramatta from out of exile at the bottom of the table.
The quick and easy answer will be ‘probably not’. There is only so much a rookie backrower can do from the interchange bench and it is rather unlikely that he will be able to leverage a breakthrough win solely on the back of his own efforts.
What he will bring though is plenty of energy and aggression and perhaps more than that, he might just breathe life into a team that is seemingly caught in a downward spiral as it hurts itself more the harder it tries.
I am not sure on licencing rights for the song but the club is missing out on a trick if they don’t play this on Saturday Friday:
Marata’s inclusion isn’t the only change for the Eels this week. Cameron King has earned a recall from the Intrust Super Premiership and will take over the starting hooking duties from Will Smith. Smith will slip back to his specialist utility role on the bench and the run-off from that reshuffle is that Sioaia Vave drops to the shadow bench.
Said shadow bench carries two very notable additions this week. With the Eels scrambling for live bodies given their injury ward is packed to the brim, two development players have been called up into the NRL21.
First up is Ray Stone, backrower and young captain of the Wentworthville Magpies. A rugged forard who is a throwback to an era yonder. Stone is slightly undersized for his position but makes up for it by playing with a rare intensity and surprising amount of power.
Next is Jaeman Salmon, a Flegg eligible half who won man-of-the-match in Wenty’s victory over Wyong in the ISP on Saturday. Salmon is an incredibly versatile player who will likely draw comparison to Jack Bird (the good kind, not the McDonalds variety) in the near future with his ability to play across the halves, centres and backrow.
It seems unlikely that either will feature on Saturday but they are both names to mark down for the future. Who knows as well, it has been the sort of season between injuries and form that could see one or both playing first grade sooner rather than later.
Parramatta Eels side
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Bevan French
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. George Jennings
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Cameron King
10. Peni Terepo
11. Beau Scott
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Manu Ma’u
Interchange
14. Will Smith
15. Suaia Matagi
16. David Gower
17. Marata Niukore
18. Josh Hoffman
19. Siosaia Vave
20. Jaeman Salmon
21. Ray Stone
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
The Magpies got back to their winning ways on Saturday as they accounted for the Wyong Roos 36-22 with young gun Jaeman Salmon starring with a hat-trick. Incredibly, after Wenty’s abysmal start to the year they are placed now just a solitary win outside of the top spot on the table – although their poor differential is hurting them.
With the big changes in effect to the NRL21 above, Wenty have obviously been affected at least for the Team List Tuesday component of the week. Look for Josh Hoffman, Siosaia Vave, Jaeman Salmon and Ray Stone to feature for the Magpies on Saturday.
Of interest is the returning presence of Oregon Kaufusi. As a Flegg eligible prop (who is also eligible for Flegg in 2019), the naming of Kaufusi this week signals an intention by the club to ramp up the development of their young talent as a roster churn looms in the near future.
Look for a big game out of Dane Aukafolau as he continues to thrive this year by adding greater consistency to his weekly performances. Always a physical specimen, Dane has worked on the finer aspects of his game through 2018 and is showing excellent application in both defence and ruck-work.
Surprisingly, Nathan Cayless has wheeled out Yileen Gordon to play the role of deputy-hooker as the #9 depth is tested for both the Eels and the Magpies. Brad Deitz has plenty of experience in that role so he could potentially be part of a game-day reshuffle.
Wentworthville Magpies side
1. Nathan Milone
2. Nathan Davis
3. Kirisome Auva’a
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Eddie Aiono
6. Piki Rogers
7. Arana Taumata
8. Magnus Stromquist
9. Yileen Gordon
11. Matt Woods
12. Haimona Hiroti
13. Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange
14. Brad Deitz
15. Kurt De Luis
16. Jack Morris
17. Atini Gafa
18. Daniel Dole
Jersey Flegg Team List
The Jersey Flegg is back after a two week hiatus! With all teams completing a global bye over two weeks the Eels will come back recharged and rearmed with some big inclusions to their line-up.
John Fonua reclaims the fullback role after a considerable lay-off, allowing Haze Dunster to shift back to his specialist role on the wing. Sean Keppie should hopefully be free of a troubling foot-injury while blog-favourite Steve Dresler has finally paid his unfair dues in the recovery of a second ACL injury and it listed on the extended bench. Dresler’s path has been a brutal one and I sincerely wish him the best in his return for he is a darn good footy player but an even better bloke.
The proliferation of SG Ball talent filtering through continues as well. Stefano Utoikamanu has established himself in the team proper now but he is now joined by Charbel Tasipale and William Kei, both of whom claim places on the extended bench.
Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side
1. John Fonua
2. Haze Dunster
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. Taufa Afu
6. Todd Sapienza
7. Dylan Brown
8. Sean Keppie
9. Ayden Carling
10. Michael Tupou
11. Dylan Clifford
12. Nick Okladnikov
13. Jesse Cronin
Interchange
14. James Porter
15. Stefano Utoikamanu
16. PJ Vaigalu
17. Salesi Faingaa
18. Steve Dresler
19. Bruce Ward
20. Charbel Tasipale
21. William Kei
Is it true, Parry requires ankle surgery again & is out for the remainder of the year.?
I haven’t heard mate but given his absence from the Flegg list it would seem injury is at play. Would be a damn shame if that were to be the full extent of the matter though.
Mahoney is playing 9 for Wenty according to NSWRL team lists with Gordon at prop.
Cheers mate. I was scratching my head pretty fiercely for a hot minute there. Buddy Gordon has plenty of experience at centre and backrow in years gone by but I don’t think he is much chop at hooker! Prop makes a great deal more sense.
Good to see young marata finally get a shot.
It’s only a matter of time b4 the other boys ( stone , salmon ) get a start.
It’s time that brad looks to a big n bright future with these up and coming players.
On Manu playing lock that’s a shock … Maybe brad thinks he is getting dominated on that left side n hiding him at lock. Who knows …
40/20 I think we have seen the last of Kenny Edwards surely the club can’t keep giving this guy chance after chance …what’s this affence # 3.
I was bemused with vaves axing I think his a good prop he showed what he can do if he runs onto the ball. Like most players his useless if his standing still n catching the ball.
What do you make of king starting over smith. What roll do you see smith playing 40/20. Do you think it’s about time we chase a 80 minute DH. (Hate the word hooker). I’m thinking we should chase young Levi from Newcastle knights his a proven DH n his not getting much game time what do you think ?
On ISP. I think cayless has gone mad …. Did you watch the game vs roos last weekend. Yileen Gordon at DH really … really. You see how big a person he is yileen Gordon could play prop. While I’m at it oregan kaufusi another man mountain how good was he last weekend big mobile n good powerful runs. I say in 2 years time he will be a bench prop he looks the goods.
Can you plz give injury updates on players.
#Eels4life#
I think Manu playing lock might be more about trying to get the ball into the hands more for one of your better players. He has certainly responded positively to the move.
The Kenny situation is a troubling one. My initial feel is that this indeed may be one offence too many and the club may have to take a stand. I trust Arthur and Gurr to make the right call whichever way it is once they have all the information needed.
Vave played alright against the Dogs. If he has indeed missed the team this week he needs to produce for Wenty. Consistency has been one of his biggest issues this year and part of why there probably hasn’t been enough pressure coming from reserve grade for the NRL pack.
The King promotion makes sense. Smith is a stellar utility but probably doesn’t quite have the chops at the moment to steer a team around the park from the opening whistle. Let him keep growing into that role and plug any other holes needed from the bench.
I am hesitant about Levi. Like Kaysa he is an undersized DH that has something of an injury history. 80min DH are a true premium in the NRL so hopefully Reed Mahoney or Kyle Schneider can be that guy for Parramatta in the near future.
Cayless may be getting grey hairs from coaching but he isn’t clinically insane yet. The club erred in its team sheet for Wenty as Reed Mahoney will be playing in the #9 and Gordon is indeed playing prop.
Kaufusi certainly has plenty of promise. Hopefully playing in the ISP this year will expedite his development and put him that much closer to NRL contention for 2019.
Ok thanks for that about Mahoney playing DH I was starting to think cayless had lost the plot. On oregan kaufusi I hope your right he really looks the good n a player brad must lock up b4 the linch mob start knocking on our door. Thanks on answering my questions well done.
#Eels4life#
40. I like the line up overall, the way Ma’u has lifted in the last few games and has his passing game returning can only help the team, he’s big enough and generally foreboding enough to worry the opposition. He could be the perfect foil and guide for Marata when he comes on, hopefully as an edge forward outside of Ma’u.
Its quite sad regarding Kenny. He just starts to show how good he is, his enthusiasm is infective but also nauseating at times, but his brain seems to take a holiday too many times, and sadly he might find himself looking for a new club, what a waste.
Vave to me, is simply lazy, I saw him play hugely last year, same with Matagi, this year I am not impressed with either of them, I thought bringing in Vave would have helped but while he did some reasonable things, it simply wasn’t enough for a man his size and not using it for the team and himself.
You say about Kaysa and his light frame what of King and their difference? King Height:180 cm Weight:90 kg Kaysa– Height:175 cm Weight: 88 kg; — Smith Height:178 cm Weight:84 kg
Smith comes last in height and weight, King is not much over Kaysa, and does not have the same energy levels.
Without doubt to me the inclusion of Stone and Salmon are a pointer to BA’s thinking for the future. I watched a bit of the ISP last week and I enjoyed the play from Kaufusi, he is certainly one to watch for the future, he has come on just at the right time.
Hey Forty…wouldn’t want you to miss the game! We face the Warriors Friday night 6pm, not Saturday.
Oh dear! Can we invent Tuesdayitis to cover for me? Will fix up!
There is so much about Ken Edwards game and personality that I like however even though I do not know all of the facts based on what has been published it is hard to see there is a way back for him at the moment. Having said that I know that Bernie and BA will sit down with all of the facts and come up with the best outcome for the club.
Great to see Marata get his chance even though the circumstances surrounding the oportunity are not good.
John, I just finished replying to a post about Kenny elsewhere, it really saddens me that a fellow that has so much of a good and jovial nature is really his own worst enemy. When he’s switched on and ready to play he is a great player, but I am concerned for him and his family as to what’s going to happen out of this incident.
Looking at this teams makes me really angry because in that team there are some really quality people and high quality players and they don’t deserve the crap going around about a bad culture as they are players who put in each week and absolutely care about and have protected this club.
As a supporter I also feel a little, no in fact a lot let down by Kenny Edwards. I and many other supporters have defended him so much and I absolutely know nothing about the facts from the case but one thing I do know is unforgiveable. He waited for whatever reason weeks to tell the club. You can not stand up and talk about respect, integrity etc to juniors and players coming through into first grade or even to supporters/ sponsors and have someone in the top team treat the fans, sponsors and coaches with none, in fact like fools. All these people have backed and in some cases put reputations on the line for him and this is the repayment they get. I understand panicking in a moment and making a rash decision but weeks have passed surely with time to think he knew keeping things hidden from the club was the wrong thing to do both for him and the club. He must have known it would come out the longer he hid it the worse it would be for him and the club. Surely he knew that?
It is so sad for me to say as he does show passion,he is one of my favourites and of course most importantly he is a father with 2 kids to look out for but simply for me he has gone one step to far. I don’t trust him anymore to do the right thing by the club if he was to make a mistake. He has not just made a mistake but he has deceived people. He has left BA and his teammates to answer the questions, front the press and have the integrity and culture of the entire club/ team questioned. He has given BA’s critics a free king hit at the worst possible time, a man who has backed him repeatedly.
I genuinely hope he gets another gig at another club and I really do hope he makes a go of it, as he is talented and I genuinely think he cares but the needs of the club must be protected above the needs of an individual who has been given more then enough chances.
On the team this Friday I don’t know. I’m not all that confident but that is probably a good thing, we may have an actual chance if I think we have none.
But we will be there supporting the boys and club, it’s what we do in good and bad times. We support. Good luck boys, especially those on debut.
Shelley, I hear you and feel your pain as many others do.
I woke this morning to read some more news regarding what happened, and if the paper reports are correct then I believe if Kenny wants to continue to play RL it will be overseas.
What has come out and its in the SMH, https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/edwards-facing-sack-after-misleading-eels-over-latest-off-field-drama-20180515-p4zfhw.html it seems he has actually mislead the club as to the seriousness of the incident, it now turns out that he was driving to training, aspects that were left out of what he told the club, apparently this is the reason he has been stood down, for misleading the club.
I have a gut feeling that this may be a bit of the reason behind Max’s comments regarding culture.
What happened to Blaise Barnes?
Playing “Bill Simpson” Shield for Randwick Colts. http://www.randwickrugby.com.au/rugby/grade/teams/5858-gordon-7-april
Wasn’t cutting the mustard
Re.. the Ken Edwards situation their’s not much the club can do its a second cort court appearance in 2 years to go with the kaysa wee swap and a fight on the gold coast. Honestly hes done well to stay employed this long.
A line needs to be set i feel it should of been long ago. Today the tigers suspended maha founua because he was late to training accountability its a important tool to building any team especially when dealing with young men.
I suspect scott is a smokescreen and young stone will debut or maybe its wishful thinking.
Very excited to see marata get his chance don’t want to hype the kud up to luch but hes got a much deserved opportunity.
Also to echo fortys sentiments about young Dressler glad hes on the road back very good kid been unlucky with injuries and has worked very hard is a nice kid hope the time off hasn’t slowed his development down.
I don’t think there’s any smokescreen this week.
Let me also add my best wishes to Steve Dresler. A better young bloke, d club man, you’d be hard to find. Hope his talent gets the chance to shine.
According to the tweet below Scott is unlikely to play. It was also noted that Alvaro still had to be cleared for concussion. Vave would be an obvious replacement but what about if Alvaro is also out. That would be a big loss and who comes in.
John, a bit of a gut pain, but I have that feeling that if Scott is out, then Stone may the one who is elevated and if Alvaro out Vave in.
They would seem the likely duo. Is Stone in the top 30 I believe he is.