NRL Team List
As the NRL, and indeed the world, stagger from day-to-day amidst the all engrossing hysteria of COVID-19, Team List Tuesday has arrived and as of now Round 2 is scheduled to go ahead. Brad Arthur has socially distanced his team from any changes following their 80’s tribute game against the Bulldogs in Round 1. Even with Brad Takairangi failing to take the field in the defensive struggle against Canterbury, ‘BA’ was never going to make unforced changes to a team that battled shoulder-to-shoulder for 80-minutes to keep the Bulldogs try-less.
That isn’t to say that pressure isn’t already been applied from the Canterbury Cup where the Eels dispatched the Bulldogs – which is just the way you want it. Daniel Alvaro was a behemoth against the Bulldogs at Campbelltown on Sunday and he was ably supported across the park as Ryan Carr made a strong start to his coaching career at the Eels.
The Eels are scheduled for a two-leg road trip to the sunny state with the Titans and Cowboys and while playing in front of an empty stadium would usually be a boon for a visiting team, Parramatta are traditionally extremely well supported on the Gold Coast. One time Parramatta Holden Cup coach come rookie NRL coach Justin Holbrook wore an expected 24-6 loss to a big time premiership contender in the Canberra Raiders in Round 1. He faces an equally difficult task this week although our last early round fixture against the Titans proved to be a trap game.
Although the NRL are determined to press on (and financially look to be in a position where this is a necessity) every win in these current chaotic times could prove huge in the event of a shortened season. Parramatta showed gumption to see off the plucky Bulldogs last week, they need to build off that now and account for a team that should beat by all rites.
Round 2 Team Lists
|
Parramatta Eels |
Gold Coast Titans |
||
| 1 | Clinton Gutherson | 1 | Phillip Sami |
| 2 | Maika Sivo | 2 | Anthony Don |
| 3 | Michael Jennings | 3 | Kallum Watkins |
| 4 | Waqa Blake | 4 | Brian Kelly |
| 5 | Blake Ferguson | 5 | Dale Copley |
| 6 | Dylan Brown | 6 | Tyrone Roberts |
| 7 | Mitchell Moses | 7 | Ashley Taylor |
| 8 | Reagan Campbell-Gillard | 8 | Jarrod Wallace |
| 9 | Reed Mahoney | 9 | Mitch Rein |
| 10 | Junior Paulo | 10 | Sam Lisone |
| 11 | Shaun Lane | 11 | Kevin Proctor |
| 12 | Ryan Matterson | 12 | Bryce Cartwright |
| 13 | Nathan Brown | 13 | Jai Arrow |
| 14 | Brad Takairangi | 14 | Nathan Peats |
| 15 | Marata Niukore | 15 | Jai Whitbread |
| 16 | Kane Evans | 16 | Tyrone Peachey |
| 17 | Peni Terepo | 17 | Moeaki Fotuaika |
| 18 | David Gower | 18 | Jaimin Jolliffe |
| 19 | Ray Stone | 19 | Sam Stone |
| 20 | Oregon Kaufusi | 20 | Shannon Boyd |
| 21 | George Jennings | 21 | Alexander Brimson |
Canterbury Cup Team List
Rumours are swirling that the NSWRL will announce that it is putting all competition on hiatus this week some time but for now team lists are out and we will assume that the scheduled matches this weekend will take place. As I alluded to above, the Eels knocked off a competition heavyweight on Sunday as they put the Bulldogs away 24-16. Much like Brad Arthur and his NRL squad, Ryan Carr has rewarded his victorious charges by only making one change between the starting and interchange rosters as veteran back-rower Andrew Davey reclaims a starting spot at the expense of Elie El-Zakhem.
The Eels will meet the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Campelltown Stadium in back-to-back Sunday games. South Sydney looked to be a formidable opponent based on what they displayed against the Eels in the preseason, although they enter Round 2 after receiving a 32-12 caning at the hands of the Newtown Jets.
Assuming NSWRL doesn’t cancel the match, you can catch it live on Channel 9 at 1:00PM on Sunday.
Parramatta Eels Canterbury Cup side
1. Will Smith
2. Haze Dunster
3. Levi Dodd
4. Jaeman Salmon
5. George Jennings
6. Jai Field
7. Eli Levido
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Rhys Davies
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Ray Stone
12. Andrew Davey
13. David Gower
Interchange
14. Stefano Utoikamanu
15. Brad Keighran
16. Elie El-Zakhem
17. Makahesi Makatoa
Jersey Flegg Team List
The Eels made it three-from-three in the senior grades in Round 1 as Dean Feeney got his young pups off to a strong start with a 20-14 victory over a high quality Canterbury outfit. Peni Tohi is absent from the Round 2 team list, be it through injury or suspension, with new recruit Oliver Clements earning the call up to the starting team in his place. Lachlan Poko has been drafted onto the vacant position on the bench.
Feeney and his Flegg team will take on the Rabbitohs in the curtain-raiser match to the Canterbury Cup as they make a bid to start the season 2-0.
Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side
1. Sean Russell
2. Solomone Naiduki
3. Emanuel Tuimavae-Gerrard
4. JP Nohra
5. Sam Loizou
6. Clayton Faulalo
7. Jakob Arthur
8. David Hollis
9. Kyle Schneider
10. Sam Hughes
11. Oliver Clements
12. Charbel Tasipale
13. Aisatasi James
Interchange
14. Jayden Yates
15. Lachlan Poko
16. Mark Tepu-Smith
17. Albert Etuati-Faavae
18. Charlie Murray
19. Jack Colovati
20. William Penisini
21. Jayden Skinner
22. Christian Saviianea
Last game of the season hope they give it all and secure a top 8 finish lol
No matter the short term outcome, I believe they will finish the season.
Peni Tohi suffered a concussion and was replaced by Jack Colovati on the bench as such he will now spend 2 weeks minimum on the sidelines due to the NSWRL concussion protocol.
Cheers mate.
I don’t follow the JF Comp, but it’s hard
to imagine a better front row than Hollis, Schneider and Hughes.
Tend to agree.
I would also add the lock Tasi to that comment above, he has been outstanding.
Did anyone happen to watch last weeks game.?
Parra were dominating 20-6 with 7min of play remaining.
It is no coincidence that when they took Schneider off the dogs scored 2 quick tries. His defense and organisation was outstanding.
Hughes and Hollis laid the platform although i would love to see more from them.
Tasi was outstanding, Strong carries and running some great lines. For a middle player who is big he is also agile,
Tasipale was strong on the edge.
Jake Arthur had a solid game and was targeted in defense and held his own.
For mine young Russell is a surprise packet and playing some great footy, I never imagined him being a fullback but his doing a great job.
Lastly i thought our forward pack was big. We had nothing on the dogs in size comparison, The dogs were a very big team.
Parra turned up and defended their line as a team, occasionally set after set.
It was great to see.
Thanks for replying mate.
I was not able to get to Campbelltown for Round 1, which is a shame as it appears that a shutdown of the lower tier footy is about to be mandated.
That said, your comments don’t surprise me. I’ve spoken to Parrathruandthru who echoed your comments about the Flegg Eels dominance.
As for Russell and Arthur, both are SG Ball eligible and have had outstanding preseasons and trials. They are skilled and tough kids who even had time in the Canterbury Cup trials and Arthur set up a try in one of his first touches.
I hope that we get back to footy this year, as this Flegg team was going to be terrific to watch.
Thanks TKG, Tasi sounds like a good one for the future.
BA is from the school of pick and stick (must be a QLD influence) so no changes = no surprises.
Great to hear wins across the 3 grades, as you said Forty, it maintains competition for spots. Some promising juniors coming thru
Very promising DDay