The Cumberland Throw

Team List Tuesday – Back From The Bye Edition

NRL Team List

 

Fittingly, given the disastrous nature of this season, the Eels have not emerged unscathed from their bye round. Following their poor showings in the gut-wrenching last minute loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 16, Will Smith and Michael Jennings were dropped to the Intrust Super Premiership last week. While Jennings would go on to score a try in an important comeback victory for Wentworthville, Smith injured his hamstring and is now out until Round 21.

There is also some good news for fans with Tepai Moeroa finally completing his three-week suspension for a dangerous shoulder charge on Chris Heighington. Coincidentally, the young backrower gets an immediate chance for redemption with his return game coming against none other than the Newcastle Knights.

Moeroa will have to impact the game from the bench however with rookie backrower Marata Niukore securing his berth in the starting rotation following constantly improving efforts in recent games.

There are few surprises otherwise on the surface this week. Jennings has been immediately recalled back into the starting backline while the most likely potential shake-up would revolve around the inclusion of Kaysa Pritchard on the bench to relieve Cameron King of a full 80-minute workload.

Newcastle will be without the services of their sensational talent Kalyn Ponga but finally welcome Mitchell Pearce back from a long-term layoff. Outgoing (as in leaving the club, not the personality trait!) rookie fullback Nick Meaney finally makes his NRL debut as he looks to impress both the Knights and his future employers in the Canterbury Bulldogs.

 

Parramatta Eels side
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Bevan French
3. Michael Jennings
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. George Jennings
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Cameron King
10. Siosaia Vave
11. Marata Niukore
12. Brad Takairangi
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange
14. Tepai Moeroa
15. Tim Mannah (c)
16. David Gower
17. Peni Terepo
18. Kane Evans
19. Kirisome Auva’a
20. Jaeman Salmon
21. Kaysa Pritchard

 

Intrust Super Premiership Team List

 

The Magpies sensationally ambushed the much more fancied New Zealand Warriors in a 30-22 boil-over that barely keeps them in touch with the Top 8. They will need to take every ounce of form and momentum out of that game as they enter the home stretch, beginning with a tough away trip to the 5th placed St George Illawarra Dragons.

Wenty will be without the services of Michael Jennings given he was quickly recalled to first-grade but they do get an important piece back this week presuming star rake Reed Mahoney comes out of the Under 20s Origin unscathed.

Interestingly, another young talent in Oregon Kaufusi has been named to play on the edges. Kaufusi has been a middle forward as long as I have seen him play dating back to the Harold Matthews. Whether this is a positional experiment or just some loose pre-game day roster construction remains to be seen but it is something worth monitoring.

As always, consider the likes of Kane Evans, Kirisome Auva’a, Jaeman Salmon and Kaysa Pritchard probable inclusions on game day.

 

Wentworthville Magpies Side
1. Abbas Miski
2. Eddie Aiono
3. Nathan Davis
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Greg Leleisiuao
6. Arana Taumata
7. Rhys Davies
8. Magnus Stromquist
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Suaia Matagi
11. Matt Woods
12. Oregon Kaufusi
13. Daniel Dole
Interchange
14. Haimona Hiroti
15. Nick Kassis
16. Piki Rogers
17. Yileen Gordon

 

Jersey Flegg Team List

 

The Eels kept their Top 4 dreams alive in the Jersey Flegg with a 18-10 victory over the New Zealand Warriors. Coach Dean Feeney has tinkered with the forward pack this week as he rotates his starters and interchange forwards while gun halfback Dylan Brown looks to be an outside chance at playing given he is named on the extended bench. Jaydn Field will partner Todd Sapienza in the halves should Brown fail to take to the field.

 

Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side
1. Sione Fonua
2. Haze Dunster
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noek Noel Aukafolau
5. Taufa Afu
6. Todd Sapienza
7. Jaydn Field
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Ayden Carling
10. Sean Keppie
11. Sam McGregor
12. Dylan Clifford
13. Jesse Cronin
Interchange
14. Michael Tupou
15. Steve Dresler
16. Vea Tapaatoutai
17. Tyrone Faulkner
18. Mitch Butfield
19. Beni Valu
20. Charbel Tasipale
21. Dylan Brown

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10 thoughts on “Team List Tuesday – Back From The Bye Edition

  1. John Eel

    Whilst I don’t know the makeup of the top 30 players, Forty what is your thoughts on Jaeman Salmon as the utility. I appreciate that Pritchard would be more likely to get on the bench however I would like to just see him have a run. I am not sure how he went in the game on the weekend.

    1. The Captain

      >Whilst I don’t know the makeup of the top 30 players

      Why isn’t the Top 30 publicised? It’s odd that we’re left guessing as to who’s in our selectable roster.

      1. sixties

        Agree Captain, and though I’ve got a reasonable idea, I wouldn’t publish it as I could be wrong. I think that the NRL may have an expectation about it being published for all clubs next year.

    2. sixties

      I think it’s a fair call John. He is the future and I don’t think it’s outside of the realms of possibility that he’d get a run this year.

  2. Snedden aka the rev

    This weeks side looks very good. IMO I personally can’t see will smith getting back in this team. I can see why brad is going with a 4 forward bench rotation. Ppl must understand that most DH are going 80 minutes n ours are not playing good for the 80 minutes. That is why I understand brad is looking to bring in James Segeyaro.

    I like the 2nd row pairing of brad takarangi n marata niukore it’s what brad is looking for tall rangy n strong ball runners with a offload in there game. Manu mua IMO can play off the bench or at Wenty is small n is getting dominated in tackles.

    Our halfs well let’s just say I can’t wait to see Norman out the door. He is nothing but a party boy who doesn’t put the team 1st. Moses on the other hand we can all see his passion for the boys always trying to get the boys ready for the next play. Do I wish Blake Austin signed with parra yes & no. Yes because his a big 5/8 n when on song can turn a game. No because like I said when his on song he can easily be out of tune n not on the same page n can go missing.

    IMO I hope we sign young Brock lamb from Newcastle but in saying that we also have salmon on our books. But salmon still needs another yr in ISP.

    On Blake ferguson where do we see him in our team for next year if we sign Hayne on a 1 yr deal ?

    If the reports are true we are chasing Robert Jennings from souths. Souths have said they are on the cap n won’t be retaining Robert.

    Who drops out of the back line.
    This would be my back line in (2019)

    1. Gutherson
    2. French
    3. Ferguson
    4. Jennings
    5. Jennings
    6. Lamb
    7. Moses.

    I’m expecting a much better performance from our boys after the rubbish they gave us last time these 2 teams met.

    #Eels4life#

      1. The rev aka Snedden.

        In Wenty with Manu mua. I was thinking winger but I thought no ill go with French just for his speed alone. I was going to pick Hayne at centre n ferguson on the wing but thought the better we leve ferguson at centre his a better option.

    1. sixties

      Ma’u, Williams, Scott – season
      Hoffman – round 20
      Smith, Stone – round 21
      Of course Kenny Edwards released.

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