NRL Team List
This one was always going be to circled on our calendars, wasn’t it? As soon as the revised 2020 draw was released, well before any talk about a 5-0 start was conceptualised – this game was always going to be the big one. Trent Robinson and his Sydney Roosters are the benchmark in the NRL. The first team to successfully defend a premiership since the 1992-93 Brisbane Broncos. The team that is looking to emulate the awesome feats of the legendary 1981-83 Parramatta Eels. If Brad Arthur and his valiant troops are to ascend to the summit, this is the team they will almost certainly have to overcome.
Prior to the competition going on hiatus the Roosters were knocked squarely on their haunches, succumbing to a 0-2 start with losses against the Panthers and Sea Eagles. They made full use of the second preseason to unleash an offensive juggernaut against the Rabbitohs, Broncos and most recently the Bulldogs. While the season still has plenty of twists and turns to take, they look like the pressure of defending their title is the last thing on their minds.
Enter Parramatta. The Eels are are adamant they have a team that can challenge for the crown. While they may have ceded their points-differential crown to the Roosters at the completion of Round 5, they stand as they last undefeated team of 2020. Blowout victories against the likes of the Titans and Broncos have been augmented by gritty triumphs against the Sea Eagles and Panthers. This is the most well equipped the Parramatta Eels have been to stand toe-to-toe with the best the game has to offer in fifteen years.
Now is the time to prove it.
‘BA’ has made just the solitary change, a forced one, for the Round 6 blockbuster. Kane Evans is ineligible for selection following a Grade 1 charge for dangerous contact against the Panthers. Oregon Kaufusi slots straight into his place on the bench with Parramatta’s commander-in-chief backing his young bull to take on the might on the Roosters’ pack.
This is a game that Parramatta can not afford a lax moment in. In Round 3 of 2019, the blue & gold battled brilliantly for three-quarters of their clash against the Roosters and it was nowhere near enough. Tries to Victor Radley, Siosiua Radley and James Tedesco in the final 20-minutes blew the final score out to 32-18 after the Eels led 18-16 heading into the last stanza.
It is an iron-man test as much as it is anything else. Can the Eels stay focused for the entire game? Can they restrict the irresistible influence of Tedesco? Will the Parramatta forwards be able to gain and then maintain ascendancy in the ruck?
There are so many questions when you come at the kings and Parramatta will need to have an answer to each and every last one of them. Bring on Saturday night.
| Parramatta Eels | Sydney Roosters | ||
| 1 | Clinton Gutherson | 1 | James Tedesco |
| 2 | Maika Sivo | 2 | Daniel Tupou |
| 3 | Michael Jennings | 3 | Josh Morris |
| 4 | Waqa Blake | 4 | Joseph Manu |
| 5 | Blake Ferguson | 5 | Brett Morris |
| 6 | Dylan Brown | 6 | Luke Keary |
| 7 | Mitchell Moses | 7 | Kyle Flanagan |
| 8 | Reagan Campbell-Gillard | 8 | Jared Waerea-Hargreaves |
| 9 | Reed Mahoney | 9 | Jake Friend |
| 10 | Junior Paulo | 10 | Siosuia Taukeiaho |
| 11 | Shaun Lane | 11 | Boyd Cordner |
| 12 | Ryan Matterson | 12 | Angus Crichton |
| 13 | Nathan Brown | 13 | Victor Radley |
| 14 | Ray Stone | 14 | Sam Verrills |
| 15 | Marata Niukore | 15 | Isaac Liu |
| 16 | Oregon Kaufusi | 16 | Nat Butcher |
| 17 | Peni Terepo | 17 | Lindsay Collins |
| 18 | Brad Takairangi | 18 | Sitili Tupouiua |
| 19 | David Gower | 19 | Mitchell Aubusson |
| 20 | George Jennings | 20 | Ryan Hall |
| 21 | Jai Field | 21 | Lachlan Lam |
Jai Field at 21 is an interesting one. Is there an injury at 1 6 or 7 that he is in the extended list to cover? I haven’t seen him in the 21 before but he would be interesting in this faster version of the game with his lightning speed. Have to say I think we’re due a loss and we always get flogged by the Chooks so will settle for a close ‘L’.
Better than having Will Smith in the same spot…
Luke, all has been well injury wise. It’s not out of the realms of possibility that Field gets a run during the season, but for now it’s just part of his continued development in the squad.
If we are able to hold and make an impact on their pack we will win this. Easts pack is very good, and i think some people may underrate them (not on here). We need to match them in this area, and be patient for the 80. Should be a good game and show us fans where the team is at physically and mentally.
Plenty to take from this game, win or lose.
This game will be a very intense one, many reporters said that last weeks game against the rif was the best game of the season, and while I’m not ready to say the same, it was a vg match indeed especially as it showed the eels could climb back from being 10 down and win.
Chooks will be another matter altogether, with JWH back he adds mongrel to their forwards, the Morris brothers are playing football that make it hard on opposition backs, while I think our forwards should hold up well, my concern is more with our backs, especially our wingers.
Both wingers have been coming in too much and in Sivo’s case leaving his wing exposed, something Tedesco will swoop on. Fergo is doing much the same and not having the impact as he did last year, with this game against his old club should he go back to how he played last year as a winger and not as a forward, could well be different, I would think that Matto will also want to prove to the chooks that he is better than they gave him credit for.
Colin, the Morris brothers have been a revelation. I thought that they were done, but they have plenty to offer. They are both skilful professionals and will expose any poor defensive decisions by our outside men. We will need to be on our game.
Totally agree sixties, almost seems the way the two of them have lifted since getting back together on the field is like a triplets reunion.
Both are hard & elusive runners with good swerves and side steps, our whole backline needs to be very watchful and stay in their positions.
A true test it will be but not insurmountable.
Point of difference Parra has had two tough grinding games and maintained composure to win.
East went to the slaughterhouse and had two training runs. They ave beaten three teams that were missing in form and maybe full commitment.
As this is a test for the Eels likewise for the Roosters.
What will win the game? Discipline!!
And Parra now has that especially with penalties given. And BA has coached them to adapt their game for different teams.
Looking at the teams they are pretty well even. I think the biggest factor for East is Tedesco.
East have a mighty recent history over Parra and that can be a barrier. But, this team is the best since 2001 and winning breeds confidence.
Who will win? Parra are at interesting odds. Can’t say – it’s a tough one but certainly worth watching.
Let’s put it out there Parra by one point.
Zero, I don’t need Parra winning every game early in the season, but damn those points and the confidence is valuable. I’m really looking forward to it.
We seem to be trusting our structures and trading off line speed and wrestle against 6 again penalty.The refs don’t always appreciate your intention,and the Roosters are going for broke to play fast, and do it well. Tedesco’s pace and evasion play havoc whether from dummy half or support play, plus Keary is high tempo. Kane Evans may have been thinking that Tedesco is a ruck trespasser and needs discouraging, but Kane is on leave again. Matching them early/holding the score line will go a long way towards besting them.
Although not a must win game it will certainly shut some mouths and open some eyes if the boys do get it. Our confidence should be good and I think it is mentally where we have to stand up.We have comparable ability we just have to believe that over 80 minutes that ability will overcome theirs. I do.
I like your thinking Prometheus
The way the players, especially our spine and our leaders, are trusting the processes and the match plans, is close to the most pleasing parts of 2020.
This Game vs the roosters will not only test us but also them (Rooster’s).
They will come up against a much better outfit then a weak bronco’s n a weak doggies outfit.
My only concern is that fergo n sivo are leaving their wing by either rushing out of the line or by coming in to smash the opposition centre’s.
Leaving the wing spot to be explored by opposite player’s
To beat the Rooster’s in my opinion is to hold the Ball n make good yardage thru the middle then kick on the 4th to catch James Tedesco out n the wingers out as they will be up in the line waiting on the 5th tackle.
We also need to have a great kick chase be there in numbers n give Jimmy no room to run or pass. Kick to the corner’s because if we go down with a broken line he will tear us up the middle.
It’s also time our bench props stand up n make some noise. Their job is to come on n bring energy to the team.
On a H2H case there’s so many. N.Brown vs Radley
Furgo vs Taupo
Keary vs Dylan Brown
Paulo n RCG vs taukeiaho n JWH.
I’m tipping our boy’s to go 6/0 to start this year.
My score is Parra 16 Rooster’s 12
Mom will be Moses or Gutherson.
Rev, good to see that I’m not the only one to pick our two wingers problems.
Fergo will be facing Tupou a battle of the high jumpers, who has the better & higher leap? With one of the Morris bro’s on Tup’s inside, its a farelly formidable side pairing.
Sivo is up against one of the Morris boys, and is no slouch with footwork even at his age, Manu is no slouch either, key with our backs will be the performances and defence read by MJ & Waqa and how they position themselves.
Col you do know that Jenko n Waqa play different side’s of the field right.
On Ferguson he will have to get the timing right when leaping for the ball otherwise DT will make Ferguson look very silly.
To me the wingers need to stay on their wings n have more faith in Jenko n Waqa to take care of Josh Morris n Joseph Manu.
The Rooster’s if you watch carefully have this sweeping backline move were they cut out only 1 player before going 2 wide then sweeping back in 1. It’s working well for them. Tedesco is loving coming back in the middle of the field attacking tired forward’s.
Question
Is it possible that Gutho attended his grandfathers funeral and under the NRLs biosecurity rules would he have to isolate potentially missing the Game?