Sixties and myself leap back into action this afternoon as the Battle Of The West becomes more of a War Of The West as the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup get a piece of the fight. The Panthers shape up as a formidable opponent in reserve grade given their status as provisional minor premiers while the Flegg meet a worthy rival in their own right with the Panthers occupying 3rd place in the Under 21s. Both grades for the Eels have been well short of their best in recent weeks and will need to dig deep this week.
Coverage kicks off at the peculiar 4:30PM slot as the NSW Cup slot into the opening game of the docket. The Jersey Flegg will follow at 6:30PM.
NSW Cup Team List
| 25 | Joash Papalii |
| 2 | Jake Tago |
| 3 | Siamani Leuluai |
| 18 | Araz Nanva |
| 5 | Devonte Vaivela |
| 6 | Lorenzo Talataina |
| 7 | Jonah Pezet |
| 8 | Ryda Talagi |
| 9 | Ryley Smith |
| 22 | Toni Mataele |
| 11 | Tyrese Lokeni |
| 12 | Jezaiah Funa-Iuta |
| 13 | Saxon Pryke |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Kruz Niutili-Schmidt |
| 10 | Max Tupou |
| 16 | Jackson Koina |
| 17 | Max Popo |
Late Mail
With Will Penisini returning via the NRL last night, Araz Nanva drops back to take over in the Cup this afternoon. Toni Mataele starts in the front row with Max Tupou getting bumped to the bench. Joash Papalii will start at fullback which sees Brad Avery drop out of the team while Damascus Neemia is the second player to be squeezed out by the late reinforcements.
Jackson Koina is still set to make his NSW Cup debut.
Match Updates
First Half
Eels to kick off. They will be running away from the old administrative buildings in the first half.
Less than ideal start to the game as the home team is pinged for an illegal strip late through the opening set of the contest. Penrith are boosted into Parramatta’s half as the Tago brothers meet on the first tackle of the next possession. Penrith spin it wide right and then swing back left as Jack Cole takes a run and then offloads. The Eels remain composed in these early moments and force an error shortly afterwards as Lokeni pressures a passing play in front of the defensive line.
Good charge from Ryda there as the Eels work their way out of danger. Talataina nearly ducks through the tackle attempts of a pair of defenders and they barely pull him down. Pezet completes a nice, tidy set with a deep bomb that transfer possession back to the visitors as a solid kick chase puts the Eels into the arm wrestle.
Another error from the Panthers suddenly gifts the Eels a bonus set! Young Liddiard with an error in the ruck for the Panthers.
Lorenzo plays left from the scrum to Nanva who sends a defender flying with a strong run. Mataele offloads to Pryke next play for a nice gain that sets up a link paly for Pezet and Talataina on the next tackle. They attack right and try to get Tago on the outside of Murphy but Lorenzo’s pass has a bit too much loop to it. They set is completed with a kick to the left edge but the Panthers are able to reel it in without too much issue.
Bit of bad luck there for the Panthers, although Vaivela was also rewarded for his patience as he calmly guides a long clearing kick over the dead ball line. Was a nice kick to be honest but it just kept on rolling.
Good metres down the right edge for the Eels as the backs combine – although Leuluai has to tackle his own Tago in Jake to prevent him going out. Parra rapidly swing it to the opposite side of the field as Nanva releases Vaivela for a nice gain and from there Talataina shows some nice vision as he rolls it ahead for himself! It will be a try if the ball kicks up at any point but like the clearing kick for the Panthers earlier it just keeps rolling and barely beats his full stretch dive deep in-goals! Dang!
End to end footy now as the Panthers make a break up the middle with a strong run from Izack Tago. The scramble defence of the Eels roars to life as they make a desperation goal line stand before winning a crucial penalty in their fight off their goal line. The pace of this game has been rapid!
Pyke digs in nicely behind the ruck and it sets up a threatening surge from Lorenzo down the left. Again the Penrith defence barely corrals him as he pokes his nose through the line. The little burst of momentum there is lost as the referee signals a forward pass against the service of Ryley Smith on the next play.
Parramatta are aided by another loose error from the visitors as the ball just gets dropped in the clearance of a tackle. However, the Eels are pulled up for another forward pass in quick fire fashion. Papalii playing short to Funa-Iuta there. I liked that shape between fullback and edge and from this angle it was hard to tell how severe the forward pass was so I hope they revisit that look.
Things got a bit awry on the last tackle in Parra’s next possession. Talataina has another threatening burst late in the tackle count that brings up the last as the Eels look to run it down a very narrow left edge short side. They fling an offload out the back to keep the ball alive and it is intercepted by Billy Scott for Penrith.
Defence backs up the turnover though with a nice midfield stand and in the following set Ryley Smith almost laces a 40/20 although he is betrayed by the roll of the ball after finding space between the fullback Fonua and winger Liddiard.
Unfortunately the Eels then concede a penalty to let the Panthers escape their half with ease.
A crucial lapse in discipline for the Eels as well it allows Penrith easy passage into the Eels’ half and from there they are able to create an opening down their left edge as backrower Zakauri Clarke is able to punch through the defence and score.
Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.
Penrith lead 6-0
20min gone
Penrith produce a good set after points as they marshal the ball almost exactly to halfway to bring up the last. Play is halted at that point though after fullback Sione Fonua grabs at his left ankle or knee? Hard to tell but he is clearly in discomfort as the trainer attends to him. He tests his ability to load bear and gets his ankle strapped so it looks like he will try to persevere.
Falls provides the clearing kick as Vaivela swallows it up and tears back in with a spirited return. Nanva and Tupou follow up with energetic runs as Papalii takes play to the right with a bit of a stilted pass to Tago. The Eels hold onto it though and push deep into Penrith’s half with carries from Mataele and Pryke. The latter of which gets an offload away as the Eels suddenly look to open the Panthers up. Lorenzo uses Lokeni but the big man’s offload is intercepted and he blows up at himself for not finding his man. Still positive signs from the Eels there.
Big of drama now as the Panthers are controversially awarded a penalty after their backrower Wigmore balks at a contest for the ball and takes Jake Tago out in the air. Somehow the referee deems the fault lies with the Eels there…I am not really sure how we arrived at that outcome.
Huge chance for the visitors due to it though. Full set inside the red zone and thankfully they can not capitalise as a grubber kick for Izack Tago barely rolls dead – not too dissimilar to Tatataina’s chance earlier this year.
The Eels go close twice in the following set as firstly Funa-Iuta gets Tago into space with a nice backhand flick down the right. Cover defence prevents Tago from getting a clear run to the line as the Eels head back infield. That leads us to a boom and bust effort from Lorenzo as again he nearly splits the defence – this time with the goal line so close at hand – only for the young playmaker to throw an ill advised offload that is intercepted.
I am can barely keep up! Nanva explodes into space in Parra’s next set with a bustling run! Terrific work from the left centre as he links up with Vaivela. Devonte does a great job staying in the field of play and it allows the Eels to earn a line drop out with a nice kick back to the posts and some strong tackling.
The short restart attempt never goes close as the Eels get a PTB. Oh my! Lovely shape from Talataina there. He has made running with the ball the priority in the first half and this time he switches it up with a silky double pump and release to Papalii who quickly gets it to Nanva and then finally Vaivela for the score in the corner!
Try scored by Devonte Vaivela. Conversion unsuccessful by Jonah Pezet.
Eels trail 4-6
32min gone
A mostly terrific set after points from the Blue & Gold. Vaivela surges down the left sideline for a lovely gain mid tackle count as the switch of play to the right almost releases Tago in a simialr fashion next play. Pezet guides JFI into a half break with a nice inside pass that sees the young backrower make a big gain but the can’t get to his feet cleanly and the Panthers are let off the hook.
Jackson Koina is on the field! Well done to another exciting young prospect for reaching another major milestone on his path to the NRL. He quickly notches up his first NSW Cup carry with a nice settle up the guts.
It has been a good battle between these two sides in the first half. Parramatta have absolutely aimed up against the form team of the competition. As I type that there is another break in play as Jack Cole stays down for treatment after a tackle. Thankfully, like Fonua before, it seems like he is okay to play on.
Brilliant play from Smith! He has ditched the head gear and it has clearly bamboozled the Panthers as he darts out of dummy half and puts Lokeni into open space with a lovely short ball. Tyrese rumbles down field for a fantastic gain as the Eels again want to switch sides to keep the Panthers off balance. Alas the final pass from Papalii to Tago is pushed too far forwards out of the wingers range and is knocked forwards.
Last chance of the half should go to the Eels. Tupou, Koina and Popo provide strong traction through the middle but attack turns into scrambling defence as Funa-Iuta throws an errant offload that is intercepted. There has been at least three or four of those tonight with the Eels losing possession via aggressive second phase play.
This leads to a flipping of the field as the Panthers try to steal a try in the dying moments of the half. Parra scramble to stop that exact outcome and it leads to a penalty for Penrith for what looks to be taking a support player out? At least that seems to be the indication from the referee. And now tempers flare as there is some grabbing and pushing and shoving before officials separate the teams.
Indeed it is a penalty to the Panthers. No escalation from there. It wasn’t a professional foul and there wasn’t any foul play after the whistle. It leads to the Panthers lining up a shot at goal as the siren rings out. Oh my goodness he has shanked it! Shanked the shit out of it to be precise. A relative throw over 2-points has been pulled left and send well and truly dead so the half comes to an end.
Penalty goal attempt unsuccessful.
Half Time
Penrith Panthers 6 lead the Parramatta Eels 4
Second Half
Eels to receive the ball.
Well and truly into the twilight out at Kellyville now.
Tago reels in the kickoff and sends young Max Popo into the fray. Funa-Iuta and Tupou rip in next but it unravels on the next play as Nanva gets his pockets picked in a fall-off strip. It was executed pretty late in the tackle process there but you have to be vigilant about a generous whistle/held call.
Pressure immediately on the Eels as a result. Koina makes a nice tackle to Parra’s right of the posts and follows it up two tackles later with a sensational scything tackle on Cole! Cut him in half! That brings up the last as the Panthers kick for their right edge but concede a penalty when Vaivela gets taken out in the air.
Devonte takes some time to get back up but is able to lead the next set from the touch finder with a nice bustling run but again the Eels get it wrong midway through the set as the link play to Papalii is askew. Looked like Lorenzo trying to find Joash out the back there but the ball is grassed. Not sure if the pass was slightly off or Joash had a quick look. The Eels avoid immediate trouble as the Panthers fail to scoop up the loose ball.
More pressure on the home team as the Panthers focus their efforts on hammering the ruck defence of the Eels around the posts. They are able to repel the men in pink with some desperate contact as the set concludes with Vaivela defuses a dangerous kick with a two-part catch. He gets back out past 10m and that sets up Lokeni for a charge that wins a penalty next play.
Nice combination play from Pezet and Talataina in the midfield as they almost put Lokeni through a gap. The set is completed by Pezet with a midfield bomb but Popo just misjudges his kick chase and catches a piece of the fullback in the air.
The team pick him up on the very next play though as the right edge of the Eels drives the opening carry of the set into touch! Lead by Tago there it is a brilliant team effort. The boys are pumped up – and as they should
Some scrappy play from the Eels here but I think a pass caught a hand of a defender there which exacerbated the issue.
Geez the footy gods can be fickle! Pezet executes an outstanding chip and chase inside the red zone and he reclaims the ball and tries to sky-hook an offload to support to his left. It splits support players and then finds a Panther on the bounce! Unreal! To make matters worse the Panthers immediately turn it into a counter attack as they roll down field and force the Eels intro scramble protocols. Parramatta don’t concede points directly from the turnover but they are penalised for taking out a player on suspicion later in the set as the Panthers get to work with a full set inside the red zone.
The goal line defence of the Eels has largely been impressive tonight and again they look resolute. Penrith work hard to generate an overlap down their left but some savvy, crafty play from young Leuluai baits the Panthers into an obstruction and thus a penalty.
Another half break from the Eels as Joash nearly rips through wide left. He is barely caught in the front line though and flings a pretty ordinary offload to Vaivela that falls behind the winger and allows Penrith to swoop on the loose ball. Man the Eels have asked some great questions today but there has been an inordinate amount of intercepts/loose ball turn overs.
Key catch by Nanva! Penrith have tried to assail Parra’s left edge with the high bomb and Nanva and Vaivela have done a sterling job under that pressure.
Lokeni wins another penalty coming out of the defensive quarter – his second of the half.
Man the Eels go close again! Nanva gets on the outside of his opposite and flicks a lovely ball to Devonte as the winger races down the sideline! Joash tries to get in position back on his inside by there is a great, clean/legal obstructing line by a defender that prevents the pass. Vaivela takes on Murphy one-on-one as a result and gets dragged into touch by a brilliant tackle from the fill-in fullback.
It has been a torrid battle today. Great physicality from both sides and the 6-4 scoreline reflects that. Parra remain plenty willing to do the hard work off their line and it wins them a penalty.
Again, Talataina threatens with a half break down the left edge. Nice play. The Panthers respond with a withering shot on Pezet as the Eels look to switch edges. Pezet recovers to put boot to ball on the last and pin the Panthers on their goal line and the home team is rewarded for a strong chase a tackle later as they force an error! Huge opportunity for the Eels now!
Centrefield scrum as the Eels shape to attack left but the referee blows the play up. Repack and refeed.
To the right now as Leuluai gets the first call to run. Pezet sends Pryke underneath next play. Left again as Smith uses sleight of hand to find Mataele short. Toni can’t smash over but he can offload! Cracking ball back to Smith who rips a silky cutout pass to Nanva wide left and the big, powerful centre shows he has some wheels too! He races over out wide to put the Eels into the lead for the firs time today!
Try scored by Araz Nanva. Conversion successful by Jonah Pezet.
Eels lead 10-6
65min gone
They get to their kick! Oh you love to see that after points – especially in a nail biter like this one. Really solid set too as the forwards muscle up and lay a good platform. Penrith are bold from the kick return with an audacious offload but the Eels mark up and the Panthers end up coughing it up tackles later.
Funa-Iuta explodes onto the ball in the next set and nearly storms over! His best charge of the game! Saxon Pryke nearly does the same on the very next play! So close twice in a row! It brings up the last as Lorenzo shapes up to run down the left. He explodes off the left footy and is over! But no! There was contact back inside and a defender was impeded! Penalty to the Panthers.
Penrith are back on the attack as they work into Parra’s half. They settle for a midfield bomb and the Eels loose track of the high ball. It ends up pinging off Nanva’s head in his role as a shield for Vaivela. Joash quickly cleans it up – sharp work from him – but the chasers were offside.
Now a chance for the visitors as JFI is ruled to have lost the ball in the ruck. He does NOT agree with the call and is arguing his case with the official but of course it won’t change the outcome.
Izack Tago explodes through the front line from the scrum win as Papalii makes a critical last ditch tackle to pull him down. The Eels are reeling though as they turn away Billy Scott from dummy half and then knock back an underneath carry. Good recovery but can they go the distance here? They bomb it towards Vaivela who takes no chances as he bats it backwards towards the dead ball line. Phew, that was chaotic!
Mid range drop out from Pezet. Panthers claim it on the bounce.
Oh that is brilliant defence from the Eels! The energy just kept coming as they forced Falls into a corner and then baiting a hurried kick from the visitors. Joash claims it in goals and then wears a high shot for his effort as the Blue & Gold take another step towards a huge upset victory. Still some serious work to do there though with the Eels needing to hold out for another 5-minutes.
Tago is called into action as he bats down a pass near halfway and neutralises a midfield raid from the Panthers. Penrith will get a fresh set however.
Penrith are throwing offloads with reckless abandon here. 6 or 7 of them stick in a row as the Eels start to fracture before one finally goes astray and allows Leuluai to dive on it! No! A late call from the far touch judge has handed the Pantehrs a penalty! High drama! What was that for? I don’t know!
The Eels will have to dig even deeper! Can they? Do they have the reserves! They do! What an incredible goal line stand! Penrith go right, left and lose the ball but it might as well be left, right and good night! It has been an ordinary season for the Eels in the Cup but they have produced an almighty effort tonight to unseat the provisional minor premiers! Take a bow fellas!
Full Time
Parramatta Eels 10 defeat the Penrith Panthers 6
Jersey Flegg Cup Team List
| 1 | Nathan Howlett |
| 2 | Lorima Rokosuka |
| 3 | Dakota Kakoi |
| 4 | Harley Walker |
| 5 | Druzel Taula |
| 6 | Ioane Lui |
| 7 | Lincoln Fletcher |
| 8 | Saumaki Saumaki |
| 9 | Lachlan Coinakis |
| 10 | Jordan Miller |
| 11 | Trace Beattie |
| 12 | Christopher Petrus |
| 13 | Zack Visconti |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Jack Hudson |
| 15 | Callum McMenemy |
| 16 | Wesley Tongamoa |
| 17 | Steven Nunn |
| 18 | Stirling Faumui |
Late Mail
TBC
Match Updates
The teams have traded completed sets between the red zones to commence the game but the pattern is broken by a penalty to the Riff four minutes in.
Bog Eels hit as the Panthers explore right. Was it Taula? The ball comes free.
Eels penalty for ruck interference on Petrus. Don’t argue from Miller as carries the ball towards the 30. Parra run it towards the posts on the last but the tackle is made five out.
Panthers kick deep to Howlett who carries the ball strongly towards half way. Parra drive back towards the red zone and the last tackle kick goes to the left wing but Penrith take the ball well.
Another completed set from Penrith and Parra reply with a solid set made better by a great short kick from Fletcher that earns a line drop out as he chases and tackles the fullback.
Back to the red zone. Miller digs deep into the line and passes to Visconti who drives at the posts and somehow grounds the ball with defenders all over him.
Fletcher converts
Eels 6 Panthers nil after 14 minutes
Coach killer play from the kick off. A low pass to Petrus is grassed and Panthers swoop. Eels somehow hold on. Parra field the last tackle kick and now a great run from Kakoi gains 30. Downfield now and Fletcher throws up the high kick on the last. The chasers contest it in the red zone and the ball deflects off a Panthers. Fletcher has the ball and darts to the line. He does a good job to ground the ball over the line in contact.
Fletcher converts his own tet
Eels 12 Riff 0 after 18 minutes
Eels complete the set after points then the Panthers drop the ball late in their set, 40 out.
Eels scrum.
Fletcher takes control directing this set as the Eels surge back into the quarter. Left now and it’s a clever offload from Lui (?) to Beattie and the Eels edge forward charges over beside the posts. Hang on a melee has started and everyone’s on there. The ref separates them and dismisses a Panthers player to the bin. Now he’s sent Saumaki and Petrus to the bin.
what a mess!
Fletcher converts
Eels 18 Riff nil after 25 mins
A couple of penalties to Penrith in their next sets in possession but they waste the extra man advantage so far. Eels complete a professional set by kicking into touch on the last.
Penrith getting expansive now. Down to the red zone and Penrith grubber in goal on the last but it’s too deep. Seven tackle set but Parra stuff it up on their thirty on the first.
panthers go left from the scrum. They keep working the left edge for a couple then swing wide right. The harbour bridge pass to the winger is close to the touchie! Eels ball. Huge charge from Nunn. Parra explore left and Panthers knock it down near half way. Eels scrum 45 out from their own line.
Fletcher directing play and another big charge from Nunn. The last tackle kick is chased by Beattie but the Riff survive and earn a penalty for a high shot three tackles later. It’s Petrus who has just come back on. Guess what – he’s off again for another ten!
Yet another Penrith penalty as the ref calls a late tackle ten out. The Riff tap and go right and the ball is dropped in contact. Wow this is an another physical game from Parra.
Eels scrum ten out. They work play downfield with strong charges. Rokosuka chases the high spiral from Fletcher which the Riff allow to bounce. They mess it up and the ref blows the whistle as it looks like Parra has picked the ball up to score. Another melee erupts and once more nearly every player is in. The ref wisely separates them and whistles half time!
Half time Eels 18 Panthers nil
Panthers kick off and the Eels advance to the Riff 40 and kick deep. The fullback takes it well. The ruck it out and you guessed it – penalty to the Panthers 30 out. Back to Parra’s red zone on the fifth. Hang on, another penalty!!! Crash play and held up. A man advantage and multiple sets here. Short kick on the last bit the Eels knock on. Riff scrum and more pressure.
Another penalty!!!
Crash play after crash play and the ball goes down late in the set. Incredible defence!
Kakoi with a charge. Walker gets great metres late in the set. Parra kick deep then defend well and the Riff put in an awful last tackle kick that goes into touch 35 out.
Great charge again from Nunn this set. Eels complete with a high kick that comes down 15 out but the Riff defend. Well that will do me. The Riff are getting nowhere and they throw a massive forward pass that is missed by all officials as they break down field. The tackle is made ten out. Wide left to the winger and it’s try time.
Conversion nailed
Eels 18 Panthers 6 after 53 minutes
Penrith knock on in the kick off set. Eels scrum 30 out. What? Six more to Parra in the red zone. Nunn is dragged down a metre out from the posts. Wide left. Intercept!! The Riff centre takes it and as the cover converges he feeds the winger and he’s got serious toe. The Eels can’t haul him in as he scores in the right corner.
Conversion misses
Eels 18 Panthers 10 after 58 minutes
Another Riff error after the kick off. Eels scrum 20 out.
Parra drive to the posts after the scrum win and Miller is back on. Wide right but Petrus puts it down. The ref misses a lost Riff ball this set and the Panthers split them to score next to the posts. Parra only have themselves to blame. Two possession on the Riff red zone and two lost balls lead to tries.
Conversion successful
Eels 18 Panthers 16 after 63 minutes
It’s all falling apart here as a penalty goes to a Penrith player falling into the tackle. Wide right and a spectacular pass to the winger who dots it down on the corner. The weight of possession and errors have turned this game on its head.
Conversion nailed
Penrith 22 Eels 18 after 67 minutes
Riff error again and Eels scrum. Can we avoid the error. The Eels work it to the posts via Miller. Left to Beattie off Fletcher. Beattie is millimetres short. Where’s the six again as the Riff lay all over him??? Crossfield kick to the wing is taken by the Roff and Rokosuka drags him into touch. Penalty.
Riff error late in their set. Eels scrum. Set restart. Juggling hands from Howlett to hold on to a pass and make ground. Riff knock down a pass 30 out. Eels scrum.
Into the red zone and Panthers defend well. Parra run it on the last and Howlett is tackled. Now Riff drop it. Back on the attack here and they go for a grubber late in the set which Penrith knock on. Parra scrum. There’s a combination of the Eels not quite nailing it and great Panthers defence and a forward pass is called late in the set. Three minutes to go.
Deep kick to Rokosuka on the last and he takes it in his red zone. High spiral kick from Fletcher on the last and the chaser is ruled offside. A minute remains.
Panthers knock on 40 out and it takes Parra 15 seconds to pack the scrum. 25 seconds to go. Big run from Rokosuka down the right wing. Wide left and the Eels chance their hand. The siren sounds and the Eels throw a forward pass. Full time.
Penrith 22 defeat Eels 18
