Date: Thursday, 14th June
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Homebush
Kick Off: 7:50 AEST
Head Referee:Gerard Sutton
Assistant Referee: Peter Gough
Head-to-head: Played 124 – Parramatta 54, Souths 67, Drawn 3
Odds: Eels $3.60 Souths $1.30
Broadcast: Foxtel, Nine from 7:30pm
Last Four Encounters:
1. Eels 22 def Rabbitohs 16, ANZ Stadium – Round 26, 2017
2. Eels 22 def Rabbitohs 16, ANZ Stadium – Round 12, 2017
3. Eels 30 def Rabbitohs 12, ANZ Stadium – Round 15, 2016
4. Rabbitohs 22 def Eels 20, Pirtek Stadium – Round 10, 2016
The Warm Up:
Hands up any Eels fans that have experienced grave concerns about this clash.
The Rabbitohs are on track for the seventh consecutive victory. Prior to last weekend, the Eels were at short odds to be aiming for their seventh consecutive loss in this match. However, a much needed victory by Parra has them entering this round as last up winners.
Of course, the Eels would not be under any illusions about the difference between the Cowboys and the Rabbitohs. The two clubs are polar opposites on the table for a reason. The Rabbitohs are in form and confident. The Cowboys were not.
Nonetheless, last week Parramatta did what they needed to do – win against a favoured opponent in conditions that better suited North Queensland. They need to take pride in that and maintain their effort. This may yet be a much closer result than many expect.
Having a Punt:
This week’s value bet is for Bevan French to score two or more tries, paying $13.00 with TAB Sportsbet.
The first try favourites are listed below:
Eels: George Jennings & Josh Hoffman – both $13
Souths: Alex Johnston, Campbell Graham & Greg Inglis – all $10
Feed Your Footy Brain
This will be Michael Jennings 250th NRL match. It will be even more special with the three Jennings brothers playing in the same clash.
Tracking: Nathan Brown
In 2017, TCT fondly referred to Nathan Brown as the Cyborg. He was like a machine as he regularly clocked up well over 100 running metres and sat near the top of the tackle count on a weekly basis.
Shut it down, Nathan Brown.
Against the Cowboys, the tough as nails middle forward rekindled memories from last year with a ridiculous 172 running metres and 46 tackles. He was literally a man on a mission against Jason Taumalolo.
There’s little doubt that the Eels have been impacted by Brown’s absence this year, not only for his impressive contributions in both attack in defence, but the inspiration that his presence provides. There is certainly no shortage of trust in Brown when his team mates line up beside him.
With a likely assignment of Sam Burgess awaiting, Brown will be fired up to leave his mark on another high profile target.
Danger man:
I’m going to mix it up again by steering clear of nominating as expected – but with a twist.
It’s danger men – the Burgii.
Sam, George and Tom Burgess have literally been smashing their way through every pack this year, in form reminiscent of their premiership season.
With such a powerful platform being laid by the English brothers, the Rabbitohs attack has been working against battered defences, allowing them to play a more expansive brand of footy.
The Eels forwards have been criticised for being too small, or lacking impact, so the Souths pack will be confident of continuing their 2018 rampage. Eels fans will be hoping that the defensive commitment from Darwin manifests again this week.
Team Lists
Eels: 1 Bevan French, 2 Josh Hoffman, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Clint Gutherson (c), 7 Corey Norman, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Peni Terepo, 11 Manu Ma’u, 12 Brad Takairangi, 13 Nathan Brown Interchange: 14 Reed Mahoney, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Marata Niukore
Reserves: 18 Siosaia Vave, 21 Mitchell Moses
Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Greg Inglis (c), 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Tevita Tatola
Reserves: 18 Robbie Farah, 19 Hymel Hunt, 20 Mark Nicholls, 21 Tyrell Fuimaono
Jarryd Hayne vs Greg Inglis
This match up is not about any contact between the two on the field. It’s about who will mean more to their respective team on the night.
The Greg Inglis of this season is all about maturity and leadership. The powerhouse Souths centre is still just as difficult to contain as he always was. He still looks to get the ball in his hands when the team most needs it. But this year he seems to symbolise the Rabbitohs – 2018 version.
There’s a clarity of purpose and confidence in Souths play, and GI sets the standard. He’s always been an intimidating figure on the field, but his critics have pointed to periods in matches when his involvement wanes. That cannot be said about him this year.
Jarryd Hayne – influential against the Cowboys.
Jarryd Hayne may never recapture the form of his younger years, but he still possesses the talent that other players can only dream of. Injuries have hampered his return to the Eels, yet his contribution in limited appearances has been significant.
Before the Eels first win against Manly, Hayne was the man to fire the team up in the training session that drew blood. On match day, he set up Ma’u’s try before succumbing to injury. Then in his return match against the Cowboys, his footy instincts produced the tap and run try, then vintage Hayne was seen in his catch and score for a second try.
An Eels team short on attacking inspiration needs an involved Jarryd Hayne. Will he be the source of a match turning moment against the Rabbitohs?
And The Winner Is:
Massive conflict for me here.
Much like last week, it’s difficult to see the Eels overcoming their opponents. Souths are cutting a swathe through better performed teams than the Eels, whilst Parra have only recorded three victories.
I do expect the Eels to go to another level against Souths and it will be a tougher and tighter contest than many are expecting.
I’ll be cheering for Parra and looking for them to win the many small moments in the game that lead to victory. That’s my hope.
My expectation – Souths 30 Parra 22
Man of the Match – Sam Burgess
Eels forever!
Sixties
I expect to see a lot of blue and gold army members in attendance, if for no other reason but to boo South’s who had the audacity to post their obnoxious video this week. It sticks in my craw to say this but I also think they’ll win. It’d be nice if we can retain our pride by making it a contest.
That was a really disrespectful promo.
Even though I tipped Souths, Im even more passionate about Parra winning. Souths, you had a few people out this way happy to wish you success. No longer!
If the Eels forwards can contain the Burgiis, then it’s another matter.
I thought it was a great promo .
Souths video … What video is that I haven’t seen it. Can any one please post a link so I can check it out plz.
Gentlemen please, Sixties and Trouser. This is the Mighty Parramatta Eels you’re talking about here. Yeah OK, everybody is entitled to a moment of clarity and reflection when it comes to predicting a winner of a footy match………..unless you are talking about Parra playing anybody at any given time, no ,matter who that might be or how well they may be travelling, because in this instance there are a few rather large reasons you’ve obviously not consider.
Firstly, the last time we broke a long duck, Hayne came back to inspire his teammates all week at training then proceeded to put on the first try for Manu before succumbing to the injury that has kept him out again for the next long duck. I believe he showed last week that he was again the inspiration for the team.
Secondly, Manly were among the high fliers when we belted’em in that game as Souths are presently 6 in a row high fliers and they are primed for a belting also.
Thirdly, nobody, including you fellas think we can win, also Souths would be struggling to stay focused on how hard it might be to win this game especially with all 4 of their Origin players coming back into a depleted side that won their last 2 without them.
Fourth point. Our boys are getting better and stronger this week with Timmy, Browny and Manu just itching to the world that the Burgess trio are good. Yep even very good, but so are we. I believe our much maligned forwards are ready to stamp their authority on this game and they know how hard it will be but will be right up for the contest.
Call me an optimist, but I reckon this game is primed for an ambush that we expect to deliver and Souths will not be suspecting! My and missus will be there to witness and expect it. Go Parra. a win by 8 points!
Love the passion Rowdy. I’ll be cheering to be wrong with my tip.
Sorry Sixties I am with Rowdy. Eels by 12 in an ambush
I’m expecting a eels win.
Mom is gutherson
Score. Eels 22/16
Go Rev, you good thing.
That would be the third 22-16 win for us over souths in the past 5 matches if im not mistaken. You may be onto something there rev?
I just notice that also tony there’s only 1 other team we had the same score against in the same season it was the north Sydney bears. Score was eels 25 bears 12. If I’m not mistaken.
#Eels4life#
Wonder if Vave should replace Gower
Have a lot of respect for Gower but he may be due for a rest and having a big body on the field for a few runs may help is not get dominated
I don’t get this inferiority complex about size, last week Gower produced 84m, 24 tackles and Vave 70m and 11 tackles. I’d include Gower’s consistent and smart football every time ahead of Vave’s occasional impact.
Love to see an ambush and with the addition of Hayne’s audacity, Mannah’s punch & quick play the ball and Brown’s immense workload plus the confidence gained after last week’s win – the Eels are some chance.
It gives me great confidence leading in to the game knowing that Sixties has tipped against us.
Parra by 4 in a high scoring affair.
Eels win 17-16 in a defense dominated match. Hayne field goal in the dying seconds of the match.
I am not concerned at all about this one Sixties; as all games are tough and i think there is more pressure on Souths; most teams improve for a season or so with new coaches.
We should win this one. Souths will not score 30 pts;
Do we think Moses can play??
Milo MM didn’t appear in any of the photos of the Captains Run so I am thinking he will be a no show.
What I did like was one shot showing Jarryd with his arm around Reed Mahoney making him feel at home. One of the boys as it were.
I get a sense that Jarryd is having a red hot go at earning another contract for next year.I say this because of the way that he is playing. Playing very much for the team, the last try miss with Hoffman aside and the fact that he appears to be trying to pull his wait as a team leader as well at training.
Thanks John; lets all hope the 17 all put in for 80. If so and we should win. Hayne can be the this type of player; no doubt about that.
One of these games soon, Michael Jennings is going to have a belter in both attack and defence. I don’t think ability just drains out of you in a couple of months. Maybe tonight, maybe Inglis lifts us as well!
Michael Jennings ended up have a shocking night defencefly. Just poor all round game left George in no mans land. I blame Michael
What an absolute rabble.
Whilst us fans are not told the truth about internal problems which have surfaced since the off season, I won’t be supporting this train wreck. The coach has forgotten how to coach and the players how to play? Please.
There are issues that us fans are not privvy too but should be. Some transparency would be nice. Will we be respected enough to be given some truth? I don’t think so.
they Are joke of the NRL