NRL Team List
Round 4, Monday 1st April 4:00PM, CommBank Stadium
It was carnage across the code as superstar after superstar succumbed to injury through Round 3. The Parramatta Eels were no exception to the wave of casualties with Mitchell Moses fracturing a toe in the Eels’ sparkling 28-24 victory over the Sea Eagles on Sunday. Moses now faces an extended layoff in the vicinity of 8 weeks and will undergo surgery. Things then looked to be spiralling through rock bottom when reports surfaced that Bryce Cartwright was looking at a 6-week stint on the sidelines with a fractured rib. However, with Cartwright named today either that report was premature or Bryce has the pain tolerance of the Wolverine.
Since the news about Mitchell’s injury broke yesterday the discussion has zeroed in on who replaces him. Naturally, Dylan Brown will be expected to take a greater share of responsibility but who was to partner him? The Eels used Daejarn Asi in this exact capacity last year while Brendan Hands also is an experienced option at five-eighth. Ethan Sanders is the best like-for-like replacement for Moses but he has been hindered by a slow start in the NSW Cup.
Ultimately, Brad Arthur has opted to stoke the flames and see the fire rise as he turns to the young man who delivered against Manly. A week after debuting in the NRL at centre, Blaize Talagi now returns to the role he has the most experience with in five-eighth. It is a massive vote of confidence in the talented prospect and again – as per my last TLT blog – the sort of early season investment that has the potential to change the formula for the Eels in 2024. I adore the call. Three thumbs up.
Maika Sivo parachutes onto the left wing with his suspension wrapped up. The move comes as expected and Sivo will run the left flank alongside Morgan Harper as he moves back inside to his preferred position at centre. Bailey Simonsson is the odd man out this week and will feature in the NSW Cup.
Currently the bench remains unchanged from Round 3 with Luca Moretti, Ryan Matterson, Joe Ofahengaue and Kelma Tuilagi named in the forward rotation. This could be subject to change pending the gameday status of Cartwright which would likely lead to either Ofahiki Ogden or Wiremu Greig joining the team.
The Wests Tigers enter the Easter Monday blockbuster buoyed by a massive 32-6 victory over the Cronulla Sharks. Benji Marshall has made one change this week with Asu Kepaoa replacing Alex Twal (concussion) on the bench.
A win on Monday gives the Eels a chance to completely inverse the results from the opening month of 2023 where they ran 1-3. Yes, the loss of Mitchell Moses is a huge setback for the Blue & Gold but getting the job done against the Tigers will position them to stay in touch with the Top 8. It shapes up as a huge game and the home crowd turnout should reflect that!
| Parramatta Eels | Wests Tigers | |
| Clinton Gutherson | 1 | Jahream Bula |
| Maika Sivo | 2 | Charlie Staines |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Solomona Faataape |
| Morgan Harper | 4 | Justin Olam |
| Sean Russell | 5 | Junior Tupou |
| Blaize Talagi | 6 | Lachlan Galvin |
| Dylan Brown | 7 | Aidan Sezer |
| Reagan Campbell-Gillard | 8 | Stefano Utoikamanu |
| Joey Lussick | 9 | Apisai Koroisau |
| Junior Paulo | 10 | David Klemmer |
| Shaun Lane | 11 | Isaiah Papali’i |
| Bryce Cartwright | 12 | John Bateman |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Fonua Pole |
| Interchange | ||
| Luca Moretti | 14 | Jayden Sullivan |
| Ryan Matterson | 15 | Alex Seyfarth |
| Joe Ofahengaue | 16 | Asu Kepaoa |
| Kelma Tuilagi | 17 | Samuela Fainu |
| Reserves | ||
| Ofahiki Ogden | 18 | Justin Matamua |
| Wiremu Greig | 19 | Latu Fainu |
| Brendan Hands | 20 | Alex Lobb |
| Makahesi Makatoa | 21 | Brent Naden |
| Bailey Simonsson | 22 | Tallyn Da Silva |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 4, Monday 1st April 1:40PM, CommBank Stadium
Opening season struggles for the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg have continued past Round 3 with both squads still looking for their first win in their respective campaigns. The Cup get a sizeable bump in the backline this week with Bailey Simonsson returning from concussion to play in the centres. Jake Tago takes over on the left wing in place of Isaac Lumelume where he will partner Simonsson.
This game will be televised on Foxtel ahead of the Easter Monday main event.
| 1 | Daejarn Asi |
| 2 | Jake Tago |
| 3 | Bailey Simonsson |
| 4 | Zac Cini |
| 5 | Haze Dunster |
| 6 | Brendan Hands |
| 7 | Ethan Sanders |
| 8 | Ofahiki Ogden |
| 9 | Matt Arthur |
| 10 | Wiremu Greig |
| 11 | Dan Keir |
| 12 | Charlie Guymer |
| 13 | Makahesi Makatoa |
| Interchange | |
| 15 | Meni Luke |
| 16 | Toni Mataele |
| 17 | Reece Alderton |
| 17 | Brock Parker |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Round 4, Saturday 30th March 3:00PM, New Era Stadium
There is some significant change in the Flegg this week as they look to ambush the Tigers on Saturday at New Era Stadium. Dom DeStradis comes into the backline for Tamarere Simons but will play in the centres with Araz Nanva switching to wing. Ryley Smith takes over from Mitchell Chester in the halves with Pat Spence starting at dummy-half as a result. Yehya Ayache and Lachlan Mears-Crabb slot onto the bench with LeBron Tuala named as the reserve.
| 1 | Apa Twidle |
| 2 | Araz Nanva |
| 3 | Eric Vaafusuaga |
| 4 | Dom De Stradis |
| 5 | Charlie Scorovi |
| 6 | Ryley Smith |
| 7 | Joshua Lynn |
| 8 | Sam Tuivaiti |
| 9 | Pat Spence |
| 10 | Max Tupou |
| 11 | Will Lewis |
| 12 | Jock Brazel |
| 13 | Saxon Pryke |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Yehya Ayache |
| 15 | Lachlan Mears-Crabbe |
| 16 | Teancum Brown |
| 17 | Lance Fualema |
| 18 | LeBron Tuala |
Glad he has gone with the kid for 5/8. As long as he is good defensively we will be ok. Brown has to aim up now and has had ample time to learn off Mitch.
I am sure the coaches will have a simple plan for Brown to be patient etc. and Gutho there too. It will be good for Brown to have some responsibility as long as he does not think he has to make the plays all the time….patience is key.
I also hear that Carty is out for some time? Shame but we have depth and its a good test for us mentally too.
I did not see this team coming. I have become accustomed to BA playing safe and always looking for the experience when trying to fill a hole.
There is no reason why Dylan can’t move to 7 and allow Blaize to wear 6. Like Milo I think it is the correct call in this instance. Blaize looks like a footballer. He just needs the opportunity to gain experience.
Remember BA was the coach who told Semi Radradra to just run the ball. Don’t pass or kick. Of course that changed as he gained experience. I am certain that he will also come up with a basic game plan for Blaize. Maybe not as simple as Semi’s.
I wish him all the best in his second game and hope he scores again.
There is a resilience to this team that’s been instilled in them over the pre-season and gives me more optimism than previous years that we can get through a key injury like Moses better than we would have previously. Love the Blaize selection.
Like others, I feel better about this groups intent.. Cartwright? Is that to throw Benji off track? Does Talagi have any kicking game, might need a support for Brown? Sivo-make a difference and run hard every time.
I expect Lussick to kick more often
Sivo certainly runs hard twenty metres from the try line but we Don’t see it enough when running the ball back he submits quite easily most of the time.
It will be interesting which sides they play on. Presumably Dylan will do the majority of the kicking, so ideally he would move to the right, but then takes away from our left side attack. I thought he might go with Sanders because of his kicking and left Talagi in the centres.
Brett BA picking one inexperienced player into the NRL side is big. Having him put two inexperienced players in together. That is a big stretch.
There is something about Blaize that gives you confidence. Whether it’s because he is light on his feet, fast, toughness or the fact that he does not dwell on his mistakes.
Sixties and Forty have talked him up for a while. They were both on the money I feel.
I’m a huge fan of Talagi, I had him at left centre in my round 1 team.
Really surprising Blaize being selected, shows real faith in the young man by BA. Hope he goes well again as showed first up that NRL is not a step too far for him. Would assume Brown wouldn’t change sides and Blaize on the right.
BA may be slow to pick young guys, but once he does he usually sticks with them.
Anyone who runs over the top of Tom Terrific deserves another shot at first grade.
I did think he might go with Sanders. And I wonder why he left out Bailey for Morgan. The Tigers backiline is incredibly fast.
I find Hands named at 6 in Cup interesting is this a tip of the hat to Arthur? Or to help provide halves depth? Asi getting overlooked then moved to fullback is interesting aswell.
Dylan has over 100 games so it’s tine to step up as a half this could be the making of him Blaize obviously has jumped a head as the young player with potential that they have backed. As for Sanders he’s obviously a talent but dmso far in Cup he looks to be struggling so can understand him being overlooked.