NRL Team List
Parramatta’s incredible 22-10 victory over the Melbourne Storm in Round 24 did nothing to dissuade Brad Arthur from putting a huge contingent of his stars and starters on ice for the final round of the 2021 regulation season. It is the correct call as well, even considering the remote possibility that the Sea Eagles drop a gimme game against the North Queensland Cowboys – the risk of injury to a key player in ostensibly a dead rubber is not worth it.
With Clinton Gutherson, Will Penisini, Waqa Blake, Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo, Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Nathan Brown all getting the chance to put their feet up, some really cool opportunities have been opened up for rising young stars and impressive NSW Cup contributors.
Samuel Loizou is set to make his NRL debut from the bench alongside 2021 recruit Ky Rodwell while Hayze Perham makes his club debut at fullback. Of the three I am particularly excited for Loizou and happy for Rodwell. Loizou is from the same junior class as Jakob Arthur, Sean Russell and Will Penisini and has experience playing right across the backline although he has called centre home for much of this season. Rodwell, a rugged lock forward, was a stand out performer for the Eels in the NSW Cup enroute to their 2nd place finish. Like Makahesi Makatoa before him, this is a really, really cool moment for him and a truly well deserved reward for both his individual form and for enduring the bubble as a fringe NRL prospect.
I already called their names in reference to Samuel Loizou but both Jakob Arthur and Sean Russell return to the NRL to take on the Panthers. Jakob will steer the team around at halfback, partnering the newly dubbed captain Will Smith while Russell will be injected into the backline from the bench. Speaking of Smith, the NRL captaincy – even if only for a game – is a badge of honour that Smith should genuinely be proud of. He has been an outstanding club man ever since joining the Eels in 2017, forging a valuable role as a super utility on the field and becoming an important figure for his work with the indigenous community.
The team is not without NRL starters mind you. Haze Dunster and Blake Ferguson both get another week to polish their wing play ahead of a clash against either the Newcastle Knights or presumably one of the Canberra Raiders or Cronulla Sharks. Tom Opacic and Michael Oldfield join them in the centres giving the Blue & Gold a relatively experienced backline.
Joey Lussick will guide the team around at dummy half and this is honestly the only selection decision I have even a modicum of frustration with. Lussick is our last fit dummy half option and if he goes down with an injury against the Panthers then we are in dire straits. The alternative was playing some combination of Will Smith and Ray Stone in tandem there so I guess our option were absolutely limited. All we can do is hope he gets through unscathed.
Bryce Cartwright and Shaun Lane are the final recognised front-line players. Cartwright will get the start in the backrow while Lane will get a lighter workload this week as he works off the bench. The final pertinents notes for this exotic team sheet are Makahesi Makatoa getting his first ever NRL start. He will play in the frontrow alongside Oregon Kaufusi while Keegan Hipgrave and Ray Stone will be looking to build on strong interchange efforts against Melbourne last week with starting berth in the backrow.
It must be said that this is a very fun Team List Tuesday. Between deserved debuts, exciting rookies and a well earned club honour, this is a great chaser to the brilliant win over the Storm. Our big hearted bunch of rookies and reserves will be taking on a full strength Penrith Panthers on Friday night. Penrith are banking on the Cronulla Sharks upsetting the Melbourne Storm to secure an unlikely minor premiership and it has left the Eels with an extremely formidable opponent.
I hope fans can enjoy this game for what it is, a chance to see some talented prospects and deserving fringe players getting a cup of coffee in the NRL and more importantly a reward to our core players for battling through a gruelling season with the 3rd most difficult strength of schedule in the competition.
1. Hayze Perham
2. Haze Dunster
3. Tom Opacic
4. Michael Oldfield
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Will Smith ©
7. Jakob Arthur
8. Oregon Kaufusi
9. Joey Lussick
10. Makahesi Makatoa
11. Bryce Cartwright
12. Keegan Hipgrave
13. Ray Stone
14. Samuel Loizou
15. Ky Rodwell
16. Shaun Lane
17. Sean Russell
18. Will Penisini
19. Isaiah Papali’i
20. Nathan Brown
21. Dylan Brown
How many games has number 14 Samuel Loizou started in reserve grade?
He ended up playing jersey flegg towards the end of NSW cup. When he was playing NSW Cup, he was used on the wing, five-eight or utility from memory.
Two I believe?
Would have been great to see Jordan rankin to have a go. Pity he wasn’t in the bubble. He is one player that deserved the opportunity.
Hes had 40 plus 1st grade games and alot 100 super league games I’d rather a hayze perham and Jacob Arthur get those opportunities more potential upside with them
JA, I think we have seen enough of him this year. Hayze, I certainly agree with you on his opportunity though.
If this game was on Sunday I could agree with the team selections. But,it isn’t. As we watched last week anything can happen and no game is a certain result.
What if the Cowboys beat Manly
What if the Raiders beat East.
Where does that leave Parra?
Penrith are looking at the Sharks to rise above Melbourne hence their best team.
The possibility of finishing fourth is still alive.
Yes some players really need a rest but not all needed to be left out.
Arthur is treating this as a trial game with points on offer for Penrith.
I have to say I am somewhat disappointed.
Exactly. No respect for the Blue & Gold colours.
As usual negativity , reading all the other comments seems like they understood .
No negativity – just a factual input.
You should re-read it.
“Arthur is treating this as a trial game with points on offer for Penrith.“
Seems a bit negative? I bet BA isn’t planning on losing this weekend and will be disappointed if they do. Parramatta need to be a team that are competitive no matter who is wearing the jumper.
I think if you look at the table, there is more chance of L Mitchell being reinstated in Souths team than those things occurring; but maybe look at the players rested, how many games they have played and lingering injuries. I think its a good move.
We are coming 5 or 6th and have to win. Its simple.
There are niggles and the goal is to have everyone fit for the finals.
I think he’s treating it as if the finals mean everything.
Mr Sixties, I understand that but, it tells me that Arthur is happy to finish below fourth. I get that too because we seem to be magnetically drawn to the Storm in these big. matches.
However he sees it, sixth gives us just one shot in the cabinet.
I am happy to eat humble pie if we beat Penrith. I too thought we had just one in a million chance to beat the Storm if we played a certain way. And, they did! But, this is not a true first grade team.
Just remember it’s very very hard to roll back history – outside the top four and with 56 points against us with Manly.
I would have made every effort to make the top four.
Maybe we can emulate the Cowboys run to the GF. I really hope so.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Fully fit, fresh team to be ready and primed for the 2021 final series…
BA has super high standards, he expected us to put 50 on the Storm and when they didn’t he dropped Clinton Gutherson, Will Penisini, Waqa Blake, Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo, Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Nathan Brown ….. about time I say!
😁 😁 😁
It takes a squad to win a comp. I think BA admitted he’s learned from the last few years (no reserve grade) of not having enough troups fit and ready. I’m really excited about this team selection. It’s an entirely new competition come finals. It’s so important to rest some of our guys. BA is in better position than us to assess who needs a rest. Some have been suspended, others injured and others are weary. There’s a huge opportunity for the other guys to show their metal and enthusiasm in this match. It’s not just about this match it’s about developing the squad for the future.
This will play havoc with Ivan Cleary’s attention to detail on other squads.
Don’t be surprised if we win this game well!!
Go Eels!!
There is a bigger picture and I agree about the eye to the immediate future and long term development.
Anyone who has a issue with this is short sighted we have bigger fish to fry and we need our guys freshened up if we hadn’t of gone through that slump we could of rested players earlier and not as many in 1 hit.
Not only that those players playing for the have been in the bubble training and not playing now they get a run or even a debut whitch is good reward for the effort also it is a moral booster for the whole squad
Then a player like Stone starts for the 2nd time in his career 1st as a backrower Makatoa starts for the 1st time and you could argue he is competing with Oregon for a bench spot for the finals
That’s a good point offside. There is that squad perspective. Last year it must have been disheartening for so many players to train without playing one minute. This game can address a number of concerns, including rewarding the hard work of the squad.
That’s it in a nut shell, anybody questioning that is’t looking at the big picture well said mate
Cheers Joe
Not only do we need to keep our stars fresh for the finals but they would not be giving 100% in this game better put in rookies who will be highly motivated.
Only concern is that it seems better to play 8 than 7 as 8 will have to go full tilt to make it and may be not 100% for the finals where as Newcastle will be rested. Roosters do not appear to be resting players (although they may later in the game) so we may end up 6th playing 7th. Regardless this is the correct choice – just a pity Grieg is not available or at least another prop.
I guess if we start worrying about who we play we stop thinking about doing what we need to do. Be it 7 or 8, the match has to be won. Nothing taken for granted.
The easier the opposition the less chance of injury or suspension. I agree with you that our priority is to not worry about the last round and just get ourselves in best condition to win whoever we play but would be nice if it was 8th
I am really looking forward to it. I think we will get lapped as it seems Penrith are going for the minor premiership. But hopefully, the non regulars account for themselves well and we see some shape for the future.
I’m really keen to see how the blokes who’ve played most of the season in NSW Cup will shape up.
Lussick should not be playing. Stone and W Smith should have rotated the hooker role. Who cares if their service is crap. With Lussick at hooker, we still have no chance of winning the game against a full strength Penrith team.
I would have been tempted to rest Lussick too. Given the bench composition, maybe Will Smith will be rotated there and Lussick gets an early mark
I agree about lussick. That’s why Russell is on the bench. So smith goes from 5/8 to DH n Hayze Perham goes from fullback to 5/8 n Russel to fullback.
Where is Samuel Louizou going to play if that is the case?
I reckon he’ll play on the wing when introduced.
It always brings a sense of hope and excitement when a rookie gets their first game. However it is equally as exciting seeing a player like Ray Stone, getting a start in his preferred position. I am anticipating a heavy loss but not as heavy as some. I’m thinking about 20 points.
I am a big Stone fan, I love the way he plays. It has been sad seeing him get cut down by injury when it looks like he is about to get an extended run in the team.
I am also a big fan of Hayze Perham. I liked what I saw of him at the Warriors a few years ago. I believe he has the ability to play any position in the backline.
I don’t know much about Rodwell and Loizou. Could this be a sign that they will be given a development contract or potentially top 30 in the case of Rodwell?
I’m thinking both will be on development deals in 2022.
That’s good news. Hopefully Elie El Zakhem as well.
Did any of Makahesi Makatoa, Elie El Zakhem or Ky Rodwell do pre season with us this year? If not they would surely benefit greatly from one.
None of them. So yes they would.
Interesting times.
Does anyone know with these players being rested Clinton Gutherson, Will Penisini, Waqa Blake, Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo, Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Nathan Brown, how many were on think ice for judiciary too? As this is an added reason to maybe rest them…..
I am not sure about the 2 backs on the bench…i am assuming Russell is a fullback / winger and Loizou back as well.
Lane has to play prop and Rodwell lock / middle.
The backs on the bench lead me to believe that there’ll be a rotation with Will Smith covering Lussick.
Tell me 60s Tom O hasn’t got a jump on Will Pensini for next week semi , surely Brad is only resting him, tell me am I right!!!
I can’t see Will being rested for this week if he wasn’t playing next week. What would be the point?
Absolutely stoked with this team. Panthers full strength, we’re resting players who will only soak it up. If the Riff don’t thrash us or we get close, or win for Godsakes, there will be question marks everywhere!! Goodonya BA!!
The Reggies were performing quite strongly prior to the lockdown. It’s a shame that Elie El Zakhem wasn’t taken to Queensland as he’d been a standout.
So True Sixties. He has been great to watch
We get to see in action some new blood, and a few players that had recent forgettable outings get a chance to redeem themselves – Opacic, Oldfield, Jake Arthur…I can’t wait for this game
It has the exciting aspect of the unknown. I think few are expecting anything but a convincing Riff win. Anything less than that is a plus for Parra.
We have nothing to lose…a lot to gain. Looking forward to it. I have a few friends who are Panthers fans…. they have toes and fingers crossed for a non-injury ravaged result. Imagine if Kikau or Cleary got injured playing against a vastly understrength Eels side, for the last round before the finals!!!!!!!
It must mean a lot to Penrith in what might turn out to be a meaningless game for them.
Cant believe some of the idiotic replies to this. If we played our full strength side and lost we are branded hopeless, if we got injuries the coach is a “nufty”. Most people are disappointed we havnt gone further into the finals, with a fully fit ( bar cash) team rested and rearing to go is obviously our best chance, to achieve our best result. Our ladder position wont change that much regardless of the results. Start to look at the bigger picture, please people
Most sensible reply !!!!
100%
Jonno that’s the problem ppl are looking at the now not the later. It’s about instant success. Ppl can’t see outside the square.
What have happened to Dave Hollis?
I believe the lack of footy from COVID did not help, this year in NSW cup you could see he was struggling then mid year started to get going with some form than COVID again. So I think that could be a reason
I don’t think he stayed in the bubble.
Don’t worry, he extended with the club earlier this year.
Sixties you know these kids better than most people, Samuel Loizou is one I have looked out for and sounded the most impressive out of the lot. Out of the current juniors (Penisini, Russell, Arthur) where do you rank him if you can answer that and where Is his best position, I know he can play along the backline and at 6 but not sure where exactly he is suited. Maybe at centre eventually?
Yes but in Jersey Flegg only, not first grade.
Samuel is the youngest of the full time squad. He had a disrupted preseason and then early season due to injury. Played most of his season in Flegg, with a couple of games in NSW Cup. Sam is very talented and has a terrific frame for centre, but I assume he’ll play wing when he gets on vs the Riff. I reckon, like most of the young players, that he’ll be glad to play more consistent footy this year.
A few weeks back Wiremu Grieg was shown in the Eels website due to be back for round 24 or 25. Today the injury list does not mention him. Is he still part of the Eels hub in Qld ?
I don’t believe he is in the hub most teams didn’t bring playser with long term injuries
Haven’t heard to be honest. He wasn’t originally in the hub.