NRL Team List

Round 13, 8:00PM Friday 26th May, CommBank Stadium

The length of Parramatta’s injury list is matched only by the quality of players on it as we enter Round 13. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson and Andrew Davey are all unavailable for Brad Arthur this week due to injury while Junior Paulo finds himself in camp for the NSW Blues. Frankly, it makes for a rather dire situation in the forward pack. Well the call for reinforcements has gone out and it has been heeded by a new recruit, a returnee to first grade as well as a debutant.

Joe Ofahengaue steps immediately into the starting front row alongside Wiremu Greig. The former Wests Tiger and adds important experience to a pack missing well over 700 combined games worth of talent and leadership. He is joined in the starting pack by Matt Doorey who has been productive in the NSW Cup – scoring 3 tries in his 3 games there. Bryce Cartwright has shown the versatility to play on either edge while Doorey has played exclusively on the right this year in the NRL. It points to Doorey partnering Mitchell Moses on the right edge with Cartwright working next to Dylan Brown on the left but a switch isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

While the acquisition of Ofahengaue is the big news of the day, Luca Moretti’s NRL debut shouldn’t be overshadowed. Despite Parramatta’s struggles in NSW Cup, Moretti has been a consistent performer for the team and has earned his shot this week. While he is at home at lock or prop, he has also covered the edges in reserve grade and gives ‘BA’ a flexible piece on the bench.

The Cowboys are feeling the selection pinch this week as well, although their issues are largely brought on due to Origin. Murray Taulagi, Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter are in camp with the Maroons and thus unavailable for Round 13. Jason Taumalolo, while not selected in the top roster, is part of the extended list and could be a late inclusion for the visitors.

The question this week will centre around how competitive Parramatta’s depleted forward pack can be? Wiremu Greig has been on an absolute tear for well over a month now acting as the Eels’ #2 prop in the absence of ‘RCG’. Now he stands alone as the guy with Junior out and will lead the Eels middle rotation. J’maine Hopgood and Cartwright will provide the subtlety and second phase footy while Makahesi Makatoa and Ofahiki Ogden just need to build on the good, honest showings they have provided in recent weeks.

NSW Cup Team List

Round 13, 5:40PM Friday 26th May, CommBank Stadium

A tough week awaits the Eels in the NSW Cup. Not only have they lost their important playmaker in Jake Arthur to the Sea Eagles, their pack has been gutted to reinforce first grade. To make matters that much worse they take on the table-topping North Sydney Bears on Friday night.

Daejarn Asi moves into the halves to take over from the departed Arthur which in turn sees Zac Cini start at fullback. Jirah Momoisea and Ky Rodwell start in the front row with Jayden Yates named at lock.

Jersey Flegg Team List

Round 13, 2:45PM Saturday 27th May, Kellyville Park

The Eels were run down by the Rabbitohs in Round 12 amidst a flurry of injuries and missed opportunities. Gun halfback Ethan Sanders left the game with a hand injury and is absent from the team list this week, replaced by fellow SG Ball winning half Joshua Lynn. Sam Tuivati and Saxon Pryke step into the starting pack while captain Jock Brazel returns from his NSW Cup debut to lead the team.

The Eels take on the Melbourne Storm this week.

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