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The slate is loaded up with representative games this week as the Sixties, Forty20 and Spiro carve into the state and international action. First stop though is a quick review of the 26-16 win over the Sydney Roosters and while there was plenty to love, Spiro also has some points to pick for the Eels.
Selection drama has embroiled the NSW Blues after wholesale changes for Game II – including Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson losing their places in the team. The boys have some strong opinions on the reactionary response from NSW.
The full representative honour roll for the Eels covers plenty of other teams and the trio dive into who has made what squads ahead of a huge week of footy.
Finally the show covers a busy run of recruitment and retention for the club with the developing Nathan Brown story as well as the retention of Ryan Matterson and the acquisition of a promising forward from Newcastle.
Yes, after determining we were too nice in Origin 1, NSW selectors replace Reg with Jake T – the nicest bloke in rugby league.
Hey guys. My thoughts on the changes for the blues team were that I’m thinking Freddy has made changes to suit the conditions over in Perth. The field is much faster than they normally play on, this I believe is why he has gone for smaller players with more leg speed as he is predicting a faster game.
The other thing is with the addition of Bourton, Api and Steve Chrichton gives more Penrith players where there is a lot of cohesion. With the short turn around I think this could benefit the blues. Also it is handy to have tall wingers and centres for an airial assault.
What are your thoughts guys?
Love the podcast. Listen every show while I’m at work. I’ve got a few of the other boys listening to it now too. Keep up the great work
Cheers Sparky and thanks for the kind words and spreading the pod to other ears! That’s an interesting take about the Perth conditions. And I guess that if that was the rationale they wouldn’t give that away. Having Tupou on the wing, they’d have to utilise his height wouldn’t they?
Is Freddy mad? A genius? A mad genius? We’ll find out on Sunday. But the changes are baffling.
Re Ky Rodwell, we fans viewing from the stands don’t know what conversations the coaching staff had with Ky, before, during and importantly after the game. I do think it is a long bow to link the bench rotation with players leaving the club. The nature of the game and what was at stake limited his time. I’m sure he will get more game time during the back half of the season.
Looking forward to the rep game this weekend. Looking forward to watching the Eels players going around in the various matches. May all players, not just the Parra ones, come through unscathed and may the best state (NSW of course) win on Sunday.
Hey Shaun. As I indicated in the pod, there is nothing new about forwards getting limited minutes when they get into the team. Rodwell is moving up the pecking order, not down, so it’s all good with him.
Sparky had an interesting take on the fast track and quick turn around. For mine, I think Fittler has overcooked the changes.
Yep, Sparks’s take is perceptive but as you note, it does seem an overreaction. Selfishly at least RCG and Matto can have a rest this weekend.
With regard to Spiros concerns. I am sure that BA would have to spoken Kye Rodwell before the match and explained what was going to happen.
BA will always leave his best players on while they are performing against quality teams. It was no surprise to me and I assume Kye was not surprised either.
I don’t know if Spiro followed Daniel Alvaro’s introduction to NRL but he spent more time on the pine than any player I have seen being introduced to NRL.
Spiro should maybe let BA worry about the interchange and winning games is what matters.
Give it a rest Spiro, that was embarrassing to listen to.