NRL Team List
That elusive second consecutive victory remains the priority for the Parramatta Eels and this week they return to familiar trappings for their hunt for what I believe shockingly is their first Friday night game of 2022. Their targets in Round 18? The New Zealand Warriors. Brad Arthur has delivered a team sheet bereft of Ryan Matterson as the star backrower continues to recuperate from an ailing rib. This is obviously a heft blow for the Blue & Gold given how much Matterson has elevated the forward pack in 2022 but in a surprise twist, Junior Paulo has been named to back up from Origin III. ‘Junez’ is currently slated to start in the front row alongside fellow beefcake Reagan Campbell-Gillard. You would have to think that Paulo will be on a minutes restriction come Friday night but his potential inclusion would be a significant boon for the Eels.
The other change to the starting team sees Marata Niukore shifts from the frontrow to the backrow. Looking to the bench we have Tom Opacic making way for Jake Arthur in something of a rotation move. Opacic has seen limited playing time over the last fortnight and will remedy that with a full tilt in the NSW Cup. Jake will almost certainly be used as emergency cover in the same manner that Opacic was but with the NRL taking place on Friday and the NSW Cup on Sunday – should he see minimal or zero game time then he has a chance to take part in the reserve grade fixture.
Elie El-Zakhem and Ofahiki Ogden are welcome additions to the extended roster but should Paulo not be able to go on Friday then logic suggests Nathan Brown will heed the call. On the other hand the Warriors get a significant boost with the return of Reece Walsh. Easily one of their most dangerous players, Walsh will feature heavily on the tip sheet for the Eels this week.
After the flawed but welcome win over the Tigers last week the Eels need to begin building a legitimate push up the ladder. That starts on Friday night where they have a litany of areas to improve. Be the first scorers, apply better strategies in the red zone, don’t switch off for long passages of play. Take your pick but we need to see our boys sharpening up through this three game homestand.
The Parramatta Eels take on the New Zealand Warriors at 7:35PM at CommBank Stadium on Friday.
1. Clinton Gutherson (c)
2. Maika Sivo
3. Will Penisini
4. Waqa Blake
5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Marata Niukore
14. Makahesi Makatoa
15. Jake Arthur
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Ky Rodwell
18. Tom Opacic
19. Elie El-Zakhem
20. Nathan Brown
21. Ofahiki Ogden
22. Hayze Perham
NSW Cup Team List
Jordan Rankin’s men won and won well last week as they return to something resembling consistency. They face a stern test this week though as they travel to the lair of the second placed team on the ladder in the Newtown Jets. With Jake Arthur named to first grade we have a notable change in the spine as Hayze Perham takes over at fullback with Rankin assuming control of the team at halfback. That could very well change come gameday mind you if Arthur backs up but how that configuration plays out is interesting. My best guess is that Zac Cini or Perham will play on the wing and bump Samuel Loizou to the bench or Jersey Flegg.
I am glad to see Toni Mataele hold his place in the team, even if he has dropped to the bench with Bryce Cartwright returning from injury. Toni made a strong impression against the Magpies last week and physically looked well equipped for the NSW Cup. The bench rounds out with some familiar names from the 2022 campaign with Brendan Hands, Tevita Taumoepenu and Jayden Yates forming the four-man platoon.
The Jets are currently 3pts clear of the Eels who are sitting in fifth on the ladder. A win on Sunday is critical in bridging that gap while favourable results in other games could see them climb into the Top 4 by the end of the weekend.
The Parramatta Eels take on the Newtown Jets at 1:00PM at Henson Park on Sunday.
1. Hayze Perham
2. Samuel Loizou
3. Zac Cini
4. Tom Opacic
5. Sean Russell
6. Jack A. Williams
7. Jordan Rankin
8. Ofahiki Ogden
9. Mitch Rein
10. Wiremu Greig
11. Elie El-Zakhem
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. Nathan Brown
14. Brendan Hands
15. Tevita Taumoepenu
16. Toni Mataele
17. Jayden Yates
Jersey Flegg Team List
A narrow loss to the Wests Tigers probably shuts the door on an unlikely run into the Top 4 for the Eels. Even so there is plenty of work still to be done as they look to stay in the hunt for the finals. Their opponents this week currently sit in fourth and have been strong over their last five games, sporting a 4-1 record.
There are a smattering of changes for the Eels in Round 18. Graham Moala-Taufa replaces Arthur Miller-Stephen on the wing while the forward pack is rejigged with Peter Taateo and Larry Muagututia starting in the front row. Saturday looms as a difficult assignment for the Flegg but they did have success against the Sharks when they met earlier in the season with the Eels claiming a 22-12 victory.
The Parramatta Eels take on the Cronulla Sharks at 1:15PM on Saturday at Kellyville Park.
1. Corey Fenning
2. Moala Graham-Taufa
3. Lachlan Blackburn
4. Jabriel Kalache
5. Matthew Komolafe
6. Josh Chappell
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Peter Taateo
9. Kruz Niutili-Schmidt
10. Larry Muagututia
11. Ryan Jones
12. Felix Niutili-Schmidt
13. Brock Parker
14. Jacob Davis
15. Jack Colovatti
16. Nikau Wrathall
17. Saxon Pryke
Would’ve really liked to see Hayze get a shot at the utility role and be rewarded for his excellent performance.
I don’t understand the logic behind the JA selection. We have better utility options. Carrying someone on the bench who will most likely get 0 minutes is baffling. I understand the risk, but I have no idea what the reward is.
I hope Matto is back next week. We miss him a lot in attack.
Jake Arthur ? That’s as baffling as the chicken or the egg enigma. What about giving another of our young forwards some time.
Seriously – is there another club in the NRL where Jake Arthur would make the top 30 let alone sitting on the bench.
Absolutely yes.
That last game against the Tigers – Luke Brooks was absolutely horrendous. As he’d been in a few other games. I reckon I’d rather Arthur than Brooks if I were a Tigers fan
I’m not sold on Hayze, based on his performances on the wing. A winger/fullback who can’t or won’t contest a high ball? Doesn’t make strong metres off the kick return? I keep hearing he has potential, but I saw more potential in JA, who isn’t ready to be a regular first-grader yet.
Personally I’d be happy to have Will Smith back, as we lack a genuine utility, and backline cover is sensible given the HIA (and injury) risk. In this game, with Paulo likely to play limited minutes, I wouldn’t baulk at four forwards, as the fourth would actually see some minutes. If Paulo doesn’t play at all, go for a back, even if they just keep the bench warm.
Jake will have a long first grade career, whether it’s at Parra or another club. I’d be stunned if Junior backs up two days after Origin.
That’s fine 60’s I’m sure Jake will have a first grade career but if we are being honest who gives the better utility value bench spot right now to cover all backline spots and maybe even hooker, do you believe that to be Jake or Haze?
I’m looking at current form not the pre season training.
Tony
Will Smith has been registered and just cleared to play for Central Newcastle “Butcher Boys” in the local Newcastle comp.
“BA, it seems some Parra fans have been critical of your bench selections and rotations. What are you going to do?”
”I’ll pick a bench that surely no-one can argue with…but maybe not this week.”
People will find a reason regardless.
I feel it would be beneficial for Elie El-Zakhem, Ofahiki Ogden and Wiremu Greig to gain some top grade experience leading up to the finals. I think at a pinch Elie El could have interchanged at the same time as Marata and covered for an injury in the backs.
If BA is looking to do so, maybe he feels that this game is not the one to do that in.it might be a similar situation to last year where an opportunity comes up where the result doesn’t matter and the pressure on them is less?
What ever happened to Josh Tuipulotu ? He was an outstanding fullback coming through.
Still with the club.
Is he injured?