The Cumberland Throw

Team List Tuesday – Clerical Error Edition

NRL Team List

 

There was certainly a mild furore when the team list first dropped and it looked like Will Penisini was making his NRL debut from the bench. Turns out though that a clerical error resulted in the wrong Will getting their number (or name I guess) called with Brad Arthur understandably electing to retain his Swiss Smith Army Knife on the bench in Will Smith. Penisini’s day will come and I have to say the false alarm today was quite entertaining as I came to grips with exactly what was going down. From how ‘BA’ would work him into the game off the bench to theories of a pre-game swap with Marata Niukore – I was working all the theories damn it!

In other news Ryan Matterson is seemingly available this week but ‘BA’ has made just the singular change this week as Dylan Brown reclaims his #6 jersey. Smith slides back to the bench and Keegan Hipgrave (who is undefeated across the NRL and NSW Cup this year by the by) drops out of the First XVII. After taking the utmost care with Matterson’s recovery from a concussion it now looks like the club will take an extra step and ease him back into the NRL with at least one gallop in the NSW Cup to his name.

That means that Round 5 debutante Wiremu Greig is rewarded for his efforts against the Raiders. Greig is such a perfect fit for what the Eels need from their bench behind the triumvirate of Junior PauloReagan Campbell-Gillard and Nathan Brown and I am chuffed to see him on this team sheet. There is no doubt he is raw and probably a smidgen under the match conditioning we want of him but his natural explosive traits could see him tilt the field for the Eels.

Another player that is still coming into his own at the club is Bryce Cartwright. After a bumper stint from the bench in our loss against the Dragons, Cartwright saw the field in a massively reduced capacity last week. Like Goldilocks, the third time might be the charm for Bryce. First he played too much, then too little and now against the Brisbane Broncos he might end up with just the right amount minutes.

Speaking of the Broncos, they put up a hell of a fight against the Penrith Panthers. Between that and the fact that the Eels aided them in racing out to a 16-0 start against the blue & gold in Round 1, Parramatta will be keen to avoid a sloppy start in Darwin. Otherwise it is business as usual for the Eels. The Top End has been a great hunting ground for them over the last six years, dropping just the single game against the North Queensland Cowboys in 2017. Now the Eels have a chance to add the Broncos to the trophy pile alongside the Raiders, Panthers, Titans and Cowboys.

It is also the ANZAC Round in the NRL with ANZAC Day falling on next Monday and given that Darwin is home to the Robertson Barracks it will be interesting to see how many troops get out to watch the game on Friday night.

 

1. Clinton Gutherson ©
2. Maika Sivo
3. Tom Opacic
4. Marata Niukore
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Nathan Brown
14. Oregon Kaufusi
15. Will Smith
16. Wiremu Greig
17. Bryce Cartwright
18. Haze Dunster
19. Jordan Rankin
20. Keegan Higpgrave
21. Ryan Matterson

 

NSW Cup Team List

 

The Eels couldn’t back up their monstrous effort against the Dragons and fell narrowly to the Raiders with an end score of 30-22. It is still a perfectly acceptable result given the talent available to Canberra and the fact that our young team continues to push opponents of that calibre so far is hugely encouraging.

Ryan Carr sticks with the same players this week for the most part. Ryan Matterson starts in the backrow as he builds towards his NRL return and he is partnered there by Keegan Hipgrave. The other major change to the starting roster is that Ky Rodwell as he is officially promoted to the starting frontrow given Greig’s continued presence in first-grade. Aitasi James and Charbel Tasipale hold their spots on the interchange bench while David Hollis is sent down to the Jersey Flegg (not unlike Charbel was prior) to get more minutes in an expanded role.

This game is part of a double-header against the Rabbitohs at Ringrose Park on Saturday. It is locked in as the main event and kicks off at 4:30PM. Stay tuned for the live blog right here on TCT!

 

1. Sean Russell
2. Solomone Naiduki
3. Will Penisini
4. Michael Oldfield
5. Haze Dunster
6. Jordan Rankin
7. Jakob Arthur
8. Ky Rodwell
9. Joey Lussick
10. Makahesi Makatoa
11. Elie El-Zakhem
12. Ryan Matterson
13. Keegan Hipgrave
14. Nathaniel Roache
15. Aitasi James
16. Charbel Tasipale
17. Toa Mataafa

 

Jersey Flegg Team List

 

The Flegg were gunned down by the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday to the tune of 28-14. I continue to preach patience with this team mind you with key players promoted to the NSW Cup and reinforcement slowly trickling in from the SG Ball squad.

On that note, Peter Taateo debuted in the game against the Sea Eagles on the weekend and nabbed a try. This week he is joined by a fellow SG Ball graduate in Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa as the powerful prop forward shores up the bench for the blue & gold. The pack receives further manpower with the addition of David Hollis to the starting front-row. As I mentioned above, Hollis is likely getting the same treatment that Charbel Tasipale did before him as the club pumps more minutes into him in the Flegg before an eventual recall to the NSW Cup.

The Flegg will play the opening game at Ringrose Park against the Rabbitohs on Saturday. Kickoff for this clash is scheduled for 2:30PM and you can catch the blow-by-blow action right here on TCT.

 

1. Tyrone Harding
2. Matt Komolafe
3. Peni Tohi
4. Jayden Skinner
5. Marli Townsend
6. Clayton Faulalo
7. Nick Tilburg
8. Dave Hollis
9. Kyle Schneider
10. Jack Colovatti
11. Oliver Clements
12. Matt Dragisic
13. Jayden Yates
14. Ethan Le Blanc
15. Jontay Betham-Misa
16. Lennox Whittiker
17. Peter Taateo

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14 thoughts on “Team List Tuesday – Clerical Error Edition

    1. Forty20 Post author

      My apologies EA but we will not allow those kind of rumours on TCT. This is not by any means a personal attack mate but there are others places where you can speculate on such matters. When something becomes a matter of actual, factual news then it is fair game.

      Consider this fair warning for everyone as well. I dislike having to preclude anyone from conversations on TCT but please don’t rumourmonger.

  1. Electric Analysis

    Brisbane beat Panthers down the middle last week. With Darwin’s hot weather, we need more from our bench this week. However, Smith is not a forward obviously, Greig looked fatigued after 2 minutes on debut, Kafusi is fine, and Cartwright isn’t your player who runs hard and direct. Greig obviously has a lot of potential but I prefer Hipgrave at the moment. Hipgrave is good with his 20 minute cameos. Runs and tackles hard. Greig should play 40+ minutes in reserve grade to develop his match fitness

    1. sixties

      I like what Hipgrave has contributed. He’s been reliable and consistent. As for Greig, if he has ambitions to use him more regularly, BA will probably go down the path of gradually increasing his minutes.

  2. Offside

    I’d rather Cartwright be the bench utility if he plays 5 mins he’s less likely to hurt as he will if he’s on any longer with any expectation to play like a first grade footballer

  3. Mr controversy aka rev

    40/20 i was thinking the same thing when.i saw penisini. I was thinking he slides into centre n marata back into the pack. Once Waqa is back is marata used as a middle third or edge back row.

    If we turn up with the same attitude of last weekend then we should get the job done.

    Look i think Brisbane were ok not good. I just think Penrith was off their game. There for the Broncos got close.

    I like sterling said i think we have a month of winnable game’s. Brisbane, bulldogs, roosters they are there for the taking.

    1. Offside

      I got very excited at the thought of the young fella getting a run.
      If ever we should introduce young blokes its the next 2 weeks.

      I just still can’t accept Cartwright in a eels jersey.

      1. Mr controversy aka rev

        Offside give him time Cartwright will grow on u in a Eels jumper. Like I’ve told you before offside give him to rd 10 ok. His like mold he will grow on u.

        1. Offside

          No never going to be happy about him with but unfortunately he’s not going anywhere I will support him but know deep down a F-up from him is just around the corner.

          1. Mr controversy aka rev

            With him And Cartwright I guess we don’t have a no dickheads policy..i copied from 1eye eel. Lol

    1. Forty20 Post author

      I will take your comment in good faith Ken (and I mean that sincerely) but I would like to point out to everyone that in all quality rugby league squads there is a blend of players from caucasian, indigenous, polynesian (and beyond) backgrounds.

      Indeed, two of the stars in the Flegg forward pack in Charbel Tasipale and Aitasi James come from a polynesian background and have been promoted to the NSW Cup for their efforts this year. Additionally, two of our finest SG Ball prospects have earned call ups to the bench in the Flegg in Peter Taateo and Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa. This is all before you even consider the injury ward where other bright prospects like Caleb Tohi are currently unavailable.

      This week’s Flegg team list is a function of happenstance over anything else.

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