The NRL lads might have their feet up this weekend but for the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg there is a critical double header at Kellyville Park against the New Zealand Warriors. While the Eels are ensconced inside the Top 4 in both grades, they find themselves battered by injuries and suspensions this week. It takes a toll on both grades – in particular the NSW Cup as they tackle the form team of the competition in a battle of 3rd vs 1st.

Live updates begin at 11:00AM with the Flegg and continue at 1:00PM for the Cup.

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List

 

1	Cameron Bamblett
2	Mohamed Alameddine
3	Dakota Kakoi
4	Antioch Faitala-Mariner
5	Bradley Avery
6	Josh Lynn
7	Lorenzo Talataina
13	Ieti Samuelu
9	Jack Hudson
10	Teancum Brown
11	Domenico De Stradis
12	Christopher Petrus
14	Patrick Spence
Interchange
15	Tom Summer
16	Ryda Talagi
17	Beau Lucien
19	Lachlan Coinakis
18	Jayden Ambichi

 

Late Changes

 

Cameron Bamblett switches back to fullback as Josh Lynn rejoins the team. That bumps Jayden Ambichi to 18th man with Lachlan Coinakis joining the bench because Tyrese Lokeni is out. Ieti Samuelu pushes up to prop and Patrick Spence takes over at lock forward.

 

Match Updates

 

Parramatta will receive the ball.

Samueulu flies in from the kickoff. Dom De Stradis and Teancum Brown go next before Talataina explores the left edge with Petrus. Brown gets a second run to go deep into the the Warriors’ half before Lorenzo pins the visitors near their goal line. Great opening set.

Rock solid defence here as New Zealand kick from 35m out and Bamblett plucks the ball out of the air with ease. Ripping carry from Kakai now as he wins a set restart. Samuelu and Petrus follow up with good post contact metres. Hudson scoots out of dummy half and is dragged down. Talataina then takes play to the right as he digs into the line and finds Lynn. The half continues play to the right as the ball eventually finds Bradley Avery. He has a chance to scamper to the corner but loses his feet. That sees him fall under a tackle attempt as he bounces back up immediately and fights his way back infield to slam the ball down!

 

Try scored by Bradley Avery. Conversion successful by Josh Lynn.

Eels lead 6-0

5min gone

 

Ieti steams in again for a big opening charge. Great tone setting run. De Stradis and Spence go 2nd and 3rd before Samuelu wants another run. Left two before Petrus is turned back inside as Lorenzo goes high on the last. It is another well weighted bomb but the chasers are offside. New  Zealand needed that badly.

Oh what a hitback from the Warriors! Crazy tip-on sequence from their right edge as the fullback Ratcliffe finds his winger Rapheal Sio with a fluid batted ball. Sio has plenty of pace as he surges down the sideline and it able to beat Bamblett to the corner. The Eels have dominated the field position early on but the Warriors have found a way to keep pace on the scoreboard.

 

Try scored by Rapheal Sio. Conversion unsuccessful by Jett Cleary.

Warriors trail 4-6

6min gone

 

Running here for the visitors as the Eels are buzzed late in the tackle count for a slow ruck. Warriors resume play over halfway and get to work. Suspect pass is missed from dummy half as the Warriors take multiple cracks from dummy half next. A set restart is called. Rough turn of play for Parra here. They hold out to the last as the Warriors bomb to their left edge and promptly knock it on in the contest for the ball. Phew.

More pressure for the Blue & Gold though as the ball comes free from Alameddine’s grasp on the deck. He isn’t happy about the call but there are no challenges in this grade and the Warriors get a prime chance to take a crack at securing an early lead.

Parra’s defence just holding here as the Warriors play some physical smash-mouth footy near the posts but they unravel on the shift to their left! Ends up as a double knock-on with the Eels winning the feed to the scrum.

Brown takes the run from the scrum and shows a bit of guile for a big man as he shapes for the inside ball before tucking and running. Good metres from the right edge before the switch of play to the left results in the Warriors pinned 7m off their line. Solid kick by Lynn there.

Now the Eels build pressure without the ball and they restrict the Warriors to a low metreage set. Bamblett fields the kick and returns it 12m short of halfway as Alameddine and Faitala-Mariner get some work. Lorenzo dances through the ruck and is probably collared high but the referee says play-on and it is the last. Now there is a Warrior clearly blocking the play-the-ball for Hudson but again no call. Bit ridiculous at this point. Lynn gets his kick wrong as it bounces over the dead ball line and the Warriors get a 7-tackle set.

Perhaps a bit of karma here as the Warriors spill their lollies on halfway and give the Eels the ball back free of charge.

The centre Kakoi feeds the scrum as Lynn runs it on tackle one. Left to Faitala-Mariner who spins through a tackle but next play Teancum Brown is ruled to have bobbled the ball in contact. Both teams failing to complete their most recent possessions now.

Speaking of! Tackle two error from the visitors. Somehow the Eels improve their field position despite butchering their last set.

Now it is Avery feeding the scrum and Judson rips the pass left to Lynn who finds Talataina as Petrus is then turned inside. The referee doesn’t like the play-the-ball though and immediately calls up play and Petrus is upset with the call. Careful with the remonstrations there but geez the Eels could sure use with a completed set here.

Second phase play from the right edge of the Warriors here as they find their way to the midpoint of the field. Petrus and Samuelu make a strong tackle and on the last the Warriors go high but shallow. They field the kick and put a second kick to boot but Alameddine is well positioned to cut the bouncing ball off.

Lynn bangs out an early kick in the following set and it is a quality clearing effort as it trickle in-goals and forces Ratcliffe back for a meager gain. Finally the touchies spy the forward pass! New Zealand have been flirting with the whistle out of dummy-half for a hot minute and it is finally called. Parramatta with their best shot at adding to the scoreboard in a bit.

Left to Raymond Faitaila-Mariner from the scrum. Alameddine infield next. Teancum Brown with the settler before a pass hits the deck next tackle and is scooped up by Dom who is then taken high. Penalty directly in front but surely the tap is the go and indeed it is. Spence takes the opening run before Ieti Samuelu tries the big switch of play behind the ruck and finds a corridor between defenders! Ieti has been in terrific form this game and he shows the value of the low-man in contact as he powers through the defence and gets the ball down!

 

Try scored by Ieti Samuelu. Conversion unsuccessful by Josh Lynn.

Eels lead 10-4

24min gone

 

Extravagant shift of the ball from Bamblett from the kickoff! He rips an audacious cutout to his left and the Eels change the point of the attack. Parramatta work into New Zealand’s half and pour on the pressure. Bamblett nearly knifes through behind the ruck before Lynn hoists it high. Ratcliffe spills the ball backwards and Petrus, Talataina and maybe Faitala-Mariner pour through the try and claim the loose ball. Petrus thinks he has scored by the referee has a long look and then rules it was knocked on. Brutal call against the Eels there. 20m restart the outcome.

New Zealand go from conceding a try to breaking through the ruck but the Eels scramble well as ultimately Dom De Stradis saves the day with some sharp hands in front of the posts to claim an attacking kick.

Unlucky for Lynn! He angles for a 40/20 and rips a mammoth kick that looks sweet but the roll on takes it barely over the goal line. From a near certain 40/20 to a 20m restart by the barest of margins. Geez that is rough.

Warriors the beneficiaries of a couple of 7-tackle sets now. Can the Eels hold on? It will be tough because New Zealand now pick up a penalty as Jett Cleary is taken late in an attacking kick. That spots the Warriors 12m off Parramatta’s line with a full set.

What? The referee indicates the Warriors knocked on but a late call from the touch judge changes that to a strip. Really don’t know about that one as the calls really start to pile up for the Warriors.

Indeed it proves to be too much as they find space with a brilliant cutout pass from the five-eighth Jack Thompson as he puts Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi on the outside of Avery and the winger glides past to score out wide.

 

Try scored by Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi. Conversion unsuccessful by Jett Cleary.

Warriors trail 8-10

33min gone

 

Poor error now as the Eels hoof it dead. Costing themselves here beyond and referee interpretations. Now a set restart on the goal line as the pressure builds. The Eels repel a number of short range attempts near the posts before Petrus snuffs out a couple of raids down Parra’s left. Last now as the Eels try to pressure Cleary. He is able to barely beat the shooters and flicks an offload to his prop Tepatasi Laumalili as the big man rumbles through defenders and carries Eels over the line to give New Zealand their first lead of the game.

 

Try scored by Tepatisi Laumalili. Conversion successful by Jett Cleary.

Warriors lead 14-10

37min gone

 

Where is the whistle? Bamblett gets taken out by disruptor and the referee rules play-on. Thankfully it doesn’t lead to anything more as the siren rings out and the ball is killed.

 

Half Time

New Zealand Warriors 14 lead the Parramatta Eels 10

 

Second Half

 

Eels to kick off.

Oh dear, confusion at the back for the Eels as Alameddine and Bamblett get in each other’s way for the clearing kick. It leads to an error and a free chance for the Warriors to build on their lead.

Parramatta need a big defensive set here and they do hold on but it leads to a line drop out as Bamblett has to bat a kick dead. Eels go short but are ruled to have knocked it on in the contest for the ball. More pressure the result.

Soft ruck defence from the Eels is seized upon by the visitors now as Jeriko Filipi-Talisau surges out of dummy-half and just drags defenders over the line before getting the ball down. The flow of this game as diverted entirely from Parramatta and they now have a mountain of work to get through.

 

Try scored by Jeriko Filipi-Talisau. Conversion successful by Jett Cleary.

Warriors lead 20-10

44min gone

 

The Eels are unlucky not to earn on penalty on back-to-back tackles as Talataina and Brown arguably win calls that don’t come/ Now there is a charge down and Bamblett has to race back to save the day and finally the whistle comes for Alameddine. Took a long time to come but the Eels finally get a penalty.

Ryda Talagi gets the call first tackle as Petrus is used by Talataina next. Now Bamblett with a sortie down the left that earns a set restart. Lorenzo to Spence next as the Eels get on the front foot. Right to Kakoi as the Eels position for the switch of play to the posts with Teancum Brown. Coinakis uses Spence but next play Talataina’s pass intercepted by Sio. Ooph. Good read from the winger and that one is a real gut punch to Parramatta’s momentum.

And now the brutal bad luck. The Warriors have their kick deflected on the last and it ricochets perfectly to their left centre Brandon Norris who gets a saloon passage to the line from 40m out. Was a slow and poor kick from Cleary honestly but fortune is shining on the Warriors here as they profit massively on the play.

 

Try scored by Brandon Norris. Conversion unsuccessful by Jett Cleary.

Warriors lead 24-10

50min gone

 

Man the Eels need to ice these opportunities as they butcher a left edge raid. Talataina sparked it with sharp footwork that releases Bamblett who fires a pass to Alameddine but the bullocking winger grasses it with a sliding fullback and the goal line the only things in front of him.

Parramatta pick up a penalty for an offside chaser from the Warriors as as the clock ticks under 20min they have to figure things out. Warriors get away with an outrageous slow down in the ruck.

Huge carry from Lorenzo as he breaks tackles across the park. It is the catalyst for points as the Eels put Avery over his second courtesy over a lofted cutout pass from Lynn. How badly did they need that and it was Talataina who made up the difference.

 

Try scored by Bradley Avery. Conversion unsuccessful by Josh Lynn.

Eels trail 14-24

63min gone

 

So close! The Eels nearly go back-to-back as Bamblett slices through down the right edge and finds support. That leads to Lynn kicking for Talataina as the five-eighth explodes after the ball but it clips the posts as he tries to pick it up at full speed! He makes the late adjustment and almost pulls it off but barely drops it. Wow that would have been an insane play.

Instead it leads to a 20m restart and then a penalty as the Warriors rebuild their lead with a run from Jett Cleary. What a pivotal passage of play as New Zealand take a stranglehold on the game.

 

Try scored by Jett Cleary. Conversion successful by Jett Cleary.

Warriors lead 30-14

67min gone

 

Parra win the short kickoff attempt but lose the ball later in the set as Bamblett heads back infield after a shift to the left. Just a pile of self-inflicted errors today and the Warriors have been on their game to take advantage of them.

A string of penalties and set restarts result in a contentious try for Lorenzo Talataina. The Eels need to score 18-points in 8 or so minutes and get the running from those calls as Talataina takes on the line and tries to ground the ball between defenders. It looked like he dropped it from this angle but the referee gives it the okay and the improbable comeback stays on.

 

Try scored by Lorenzo Talataina. Conversion successful by Josh Lynn.

Eels trail 20-32

71min gone

 

Lorenzo is sparking almost all of the positive footy from the Eels here as he generates metres down the left edge. Alas it unravels on the opposite side of the field when Lynn’s cutout pass is plucked out of the air by the opposition. Could be the dagger in the back here even though the Warriors end up grassing the ball later in the set. Precious seconds are taken off the clock.

Offloads everywhere for the Eels but the Warriors cling on and ultimately the ball ends up with Alameddine who tries to kick ahead only for it to take a deflection off a Warrior. Not played at is the call as it pings into touch and I think that was the right call unfortunately.

Cleary is taken out late for the second time today and it leads to an easy shot at goal to close out this upset result.

 

Penalty goal successful by Jett Cleary.

Warriors lead 34-20

79min gone

 

There is barely enough time left for the kickoff so we resume play as the Eels go short. The ball is batted towards the Warriors and they dive on it to secure the victory.

 

Full Time

New Zealand Warriors 34 defeat the Parramatta Eels 20

NSW Cup Team List

 

1	Apa Twidle
4	Samuel Loizou
2	Alfred Smalley
5	Beau Newlands
19	Liam Scolari
6	Matthew Hunter
14	Brendan Hands
8	Brock Parker
9	Joey Lussick
10	Kayne Kalache
11	Dan Keir
21	Tyrese Lokeni
13	Saxon Pryke
Interchange
15	Max Tupou
16	Damascus Neemia
17	Will Lewis
20	Meni Luke

 

Late Mail

 

There are actually too many changes to even type out today. Essentially the entire back line has been rejigged as the Eels get their depth tested heavily while Brendan Hands steps into the halves to replace Ronald Volkman. Tyrese Lokeni has been called up into the grade with Meni Luke working as the substitute dummy-half.

 

Match Updates

 

Warriors kicking off.

Early error from the Eels as they work over halfway and the Warriors are all over it as they convert the early chance into points. Setu Tu is the man who exploits the overlap down New Zealand’s left edge as he dummies past Apa Twidle at the last line as the Parramatta fullback checks off to the support runner.

 

Try scored by Setu Tu. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 6-0

4min gone

 

A response from the Eels now as Apa Twidle conjures an attacking raid down the left edge that release Liam Scolari. He looks to be bundled into touch but the penalty comes to the Eels. Good settler from Lokeni to the right before Pryke nearly fights his way over. Hunter dummies and goes and is dragged down but that paves the way for Joey Lussick to snipe from dummy-half as he burrows over! Improbably, the Eels strike back!

 

Try scored by Joey Lussick. Conversion successful by Apa Twidle.

Eels lock the scores up at 6-all.

8min gone

 

The Eels are battling here. Despite the galactic differences in roster availability they are sticking to New Zealand early on. Saxon Pryke surges downfield with a good run but New Zealand recover well before Kalache sets up the last. Hands hoists it up only for Tuaupiki to make a brilliant catch and run.

As I type that though the Warriors go up a gear and punch the ball downfield. The Eels are scrambling on their goal line at the end of the set and Morgan Harper wins the race to the outside shoulder of his opposite to  and is able score out wide as a result.

 

Try scored by Morgan Harper. Conversion unsuccessful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 10-6

19min gone

 

Parramatta are asking some questions as players like Pryke and Twidle pokes their noses through the line and use some sharp ball-playing to nearly open the Warriors up. The Eels can’t quite put it all together though and New Zealand are able to hold on through multiple attacking sets.

A penalty gives the Eels the initiative and Max Tupou builds on that with a bustling carry early in the set. There is carnage on the field now after the Eels work to their right. I think there is a downed Warrior and multiple trainers are out there immediately – this looks rough.

The stretcher is out. This looks to be a neck/back concern. Setu Tu is the man down but he is able to sit up now. Thank goodness. He is escorted off and the Eels go back on the attack.

Parker wins a penalty to the left of the posts. That leads to a raid down the right as Twidle feeds early ball to Loizou out wide. Samuel composes himself brilliantly as he attacks the corner and goes for the big dive and one-handed put down! It is good! Quality finish from the back.

 

Try scored by Samuel Loizou. Conversion unsuccessful by Apa Twidle.

Eels lock the scores up at 10-all

30min gone

 

Flow of the game with the Eels here as they pick up a scrum on halfway from a batted pass. Alas they get it wrong with a called shot from the scrum win and thus the Warriors get a scrum of their own on almost the exact same spot.

The Warriors pick up a very generous set restart call as they attack Parra’s goal line and the weight of the extended possession is enough to crack the defence of the Blue & Gold. It takes a big shift from left to right but they generate the overlap and Daeon Amituanai finishes the job on the right wing before centreing it.

 

Try scored by Daeon Amituanai. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 16-10

36min gone

 

New Zealand get another chance to attack Parramatta’s goal line after an error resulting from an adventurous kick return from the Eels but thankfully they hold on and even though the Warriors force the drop out there is not enough time on the clock for more play.

 

Half Time

New Zealand Warriors 16 lead the Parramatta Eels 10

 

Second Half

 

Ooph. Shades of the scrum play against the Bulldogs on Monday there. Parramatta get the scrum feed near halfway as Brendan Hands attacks down the right only for his pass to be plucked out of the air. Was it Kosi with the intercept? Either way he links up with Geronimo Doyle who promptly races 50m to score a back breaking try against the run of play.

 

Try scored by Gernoimo Doyle. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 22-10

45min gone

 

Now a 40/20 from Tanah Boyd as he booms a brilliant kick into touch. Almost indefensible that one. Huge chance for the Warriors. They convert almost immediately as Tuaupiki picks apart Parra’s left edge with a silky pass to Daeon Amituanai who dives over in the corner. Warriors have taken control of this game from a plucky Parramatta outfit.

 

Try scored by Daeon Amituanai. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 28-10

47min gone

 

Big set from Matthew Hunter! He is heavily involved throughout with the run and pass as he drives the Eels deep into New Zealand’s half. It culminates in him taking play down the left on the last as he holds it up nicely into the line before finding Twidle who then straightens play for Smalley who crashes over! Eels had to score next and they are really punching up today with all the talent out!

 

Try scored by Alfred Smalley. Conversion successful by Apa Twidle.

Eels trail 16-28

55min gone

 

Error from the kickoff as the Warriors use the lead foot and allow Hands to plant the foot (heh) over the dead ball line for a penalty on halfway.

Young bloods leading the way now as Neemia and Lewis take early carries. Right to Lokeni to continue the theme. Newlands is pulled down 5m short of the line as the Eels then swing to the left where Twidle rips a sensational cutout pass to find Liam Scolari in stride! The left winger finishes the assignment and gives the pass the finish it deserves as the Eels refuse to stay down!

 

Try scored by Liam Scolari. Conversion successful by Apa Twidle.

Eels trail 22-26

58min gone.

 

Gut punch as the Eels are penalised for a late shot on the kicker. Really didn’t seem to be much in it but it spots the Warriors a huge swing in field position and from there they are able to barge over with Edward Kosi in spite of the protestations of Brendan Hands to the referee. That is likely game even with 16min left to play but the Eels have shown plenty of spirit today so who knows.

 

Try scored by Edward Kosi. Conversion unsuccessful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 30-22

64min gone

 

Well if the Kosi try was the nail in the coffin, this electric burst from Taine Tuaupiki will be. The live wire fullback explodes onto a kick return and just cuts the Eels’ kick chase to bits as he goes on to beat Apa Twidle at the last line and complete a superb individual effort.

 

Try scored by Taine Tuaupiki. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 36-22

68min

 

The under strength Eels have well and truly run out of gas here as the Warriors pile on the points. Luke Hansen goes over now as the left edge of the visitors pick up a lucky deflection on a kick from the last – not too dissimilar from what we saw in the Flegg earlier today. It do be like that sometimes.

 

Try scored by Luke Hansen. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 42-22

74min

 

Drama at the end of this game as Alfred Smalley looks to be a massive defensive play on Taine Tuaupiki and he has leveled the diminutive fullback. Immediately there are concerns about the point of contact and Taine’s team mates come flying in to accost Smalley. It is a swirling fracas with Taine next to it still motionless on the ground. Naturally the officials are conferring once the teams are separated but you can only hope Tuaupiki is okay. Have to think this will result in a sin bin or even send off given the outcome for the New Zealand fullback – unless whiplash was the unlikely culprit on a legal shot.

Indeed it is a send off for Smalley. It was a violent hit and if you get it wrong that is the consequence.

The Warriors will take a shot at goal after the long delay.

 

Penalty goal successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 46-22

79min gone

 

Just enough time for a final restart of play. The Eels kick off and the Warriors field it and heave it into touch to bring an end to this game.

 

Full Time

New Zealand Warriors 46 defeat the Parramatta Eels 22