NRL Team List

Round 7, Monday 4:00PM, CommBank Stadium

I’m sure you have all seen the memes – Jesus returned on Easter Sunday but Moses made his comeback on Easter Monday. Indeed, Mitchell Moses is back in what is clearly a monumental boost for the Parramatta Eels. His inclusion, that of course being the most valuable player Jason Ryles possesses on his roster, will give the Eels a vastly improved chance of upsetting the Wests Tigers on Monday.

It does little to fix the issues that plagued the Blue & Gold across Rounds 1 & 2 in particular before they unfortunately reared their ugly heads last week as well.

Clearly, Ryles feels the same way as he rings in a host of changes across his forward pack and interchange bench. Jack Williams will start in the front row alongside Junior Paulo while Kelma Tuilagi has won back a seat in first-grade. Although it could be argued more so that Shaun Lane lost his. Either way Kelma returns to start on the left edge presumably and he does bring a couple of weeks of solid form in the NSW Cup with him.

For the third time, and may it be the charm, Ryley Smith has been named to make his maiden NRL start. The Eels got away with playing J’maine Hopgood at dummy half against the Dragons but were punished in Darwin by the Raiders for the same personnel decision. Which way will Jason Ryles pivot this time?

Matt Doorey and Sam Tuivaiti return to the interchange bench for Round 7. The pair have been among the few players to actually make a dent in the opposition from the bench this year so it is no surprise to see them back this week.

The Tigers dropped a bombshell today when it was leaked that Lachlan Galvin would be relegated to reserve grade duties this week in light of the sensational turn in negotiations between he and the club. Adam Doueihi steps into the #7 jersey to partner Jarome Luai. Wests out-muscled the Knights last week to secure their 3rd win of the year and will almost certainly be highly motivated to complete a sweep of the Eels.

Injury Report

NSW Cup Team List

Round 7, Monday 12:00PM, Lidcombe Oval

The NSW Cup is also in action on Easter Monday but for whatever reason they are consigned to Lidcombe Oval instead of playing a double-header at CommBank Stadium. Parramatta are looking to back up their 8-point win over the Raiders and shore up their position inside the Top 4 and get a number of reinforcements this week by way of the NRL.

Dean Hawkins, Ryan Matterson, Joe Ofahengaue and Shaun Lane all drop back to reggies this week as Nathan Cayless accommodates their inclusions by shuffling his spine and pack. Joash Papalii switches to fullback after a solid showing at five-eighth while the cascade effect in the pack sees Dan Keir start at lock with Saxon Pryke, Wiremu Greig and Toni Mataele in rotation on the bench.

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List

Round 7, Saturday 12:00PM, Lidcombe Oval

The Flegg are firing on all cylinders at the moment and they get Apa Twidle back this week in a boost for Jordan Rankin. Apa will start at fullback after a couple of handy hit outs in the NSW Cup in the same position. Josh Lynn is absent from the team list this week as Cooper Fuller comes back into the squad to replace him.

We have a new face as well with Lennox Risati earning a berth on the bench. All I know about Lennox thus far is that he played for South Sydney last year in the front row and has been in their pathways for a number of years. He does however share a surname with exciting Harold Matthews prospect Talen Risati so I will have to do some digging on a potential connection there.

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