The Cumberland Throw

Team List Tuesday – Consolidating In Magic Round Edition

NRL Team List

 

Parramatta’s rousing 22-20 victory over the Penrith Panthers now sets the stage for a blockbuster clash with the Sydney Roosters in Magic Round. There is no doubt that the triumph over the reigning premiers was a hugely important win, a sort of flag-planting moment for the club, but the focus rightfully has been on delivering greater levels of consistency. That all starts in Brisbane this week with Brad Arthur naming an unchanged top seventeen for Round 10. Indeed, the only change to the full 24-man roster is Brendan Hands coming onto the extended bench for Ky Rodwell.

Rumours swirled today in the media about a potential early return for Marata Niukore but clearly the club is erring on the side of caution as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Sean Russell made a successful return to play on the weekend despite the Eels’ loss in the NSW Cup. Russell nabbed the first try of the game and got through the full 80-minutes and quite likely comes into contention with Hayze Perham for the left wing responsibilities.

That really is the only selection complication facing ‘BA’ and the Eels this week. You would have to imagine that Arthur would be loathe to change a team that battled so spectacularly last Friday but the prospect of a specialist winger holding down the left sideline would be tantalising.

On the other side of the field this week are the Roosters, who like the Eels and perhaps even more so, have struggled for consistency through the first nine rounds of play. Their last start saw them run away from the Titans in something of a canter as captain James Tedesco bagged a hat-trick. The win did prove costly though with enforcer Lindsay Collins and horribly unlucky dummy-half Sam Verrills both consigned to the injury ward. Departing big-man Siosiua Taukeiaho gets the start in the front-row in the absence of Collins while Connor Watson will run the show from the ruck.

The Roosters have always been a formidable opponent in the modern era and the Eels will have to back up fiercely from Round 9 in order to bag this particular win. Of concern for both teams is the expected inclement weather through the weekend on a track that will be very well worn down by the time Sunday rolls around. Hopefully Suncorp Stadium can hold up under those dual burdens otherwise the chance for injuries jumps considerably.

The Eels and Roosters will do battle on Sunday at 4:05PM at Suncorp Stadium.

 

1. Clinton Gutherson (c)
2. Hayze Perham
3. Will Penisini
4. Tom Opacic
5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo (c)
11. Shaun Lane
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Nathan Brown

14. Makahesi Makatoa
15. Ryan Matterson
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Bryce Cartwright

18. Wiremu Greig
19. Jake Arthur
20. Mitch Rein
21. Sean Russell
22. Samuel Loizou
23. Elie El-Zakhem
24. Brendan Hands

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Injury Report

 

Player Injury Return
Solomone Naiduki Hamstring Round 10-11
Marata Niukore Hamstring TBA
Maika Sivo Knee Round 12-14
Waqa Blake Knee TBA
Haze Dunster Knee 2023
Ray Stone Knee 2023

 

The NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg have global byes this week.

 

 

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4 thoughts on “Team List Tuesday – Consolidating In Magic Round Edition

  1. Leigh

    I’d love to see something out of left field and have Russell start and have Perham as 17 in lieu of Carty. We haven’t been utilising our No 17; but if required Simonsson is 6′ 2″ and 97 kg and could cover any spot as a fill-in. Reggies have a bye and Russell needs game time.

    1. Anonymous

      Its not left field its the logical thing to do. Perham can cover anywhere in the backs.

  2. John Eel

    Forty I think that the TLT was pretty much predictable. The big changes will come once players like Niukore, Sivo and Blake are available again.

    The game with the Roosters is critical to the Eels and they would be very disappointed if they don’t come away with a win.

    The big criticism of the Eels is lack of consistency and whilst I don’t agree with most of the criticism I understand where it is coming from.

    The Eels injuries have put a strain on the team. Particularly the fact that most injuries have been the wingers forcing BA to manufacture wingers as replacements.

    1. Brelogail St Boy

      Well said John Eel.
      Hopefully the boys have not lived too much off their press this week.
      And certainly the injury toll has been dramatic. Hopefully it will become more easily managed from here.

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