Eels lower grade action comes to you from Redfern earlier today, before the NRL hits Allianz Stadium tonight

Parra’s Flegg team can jump the Rabbitohs into sixth place with a win today, and every win takes them closer to a finals berth.

In contrast, the Eels NSW Cup team cannot qualify for the play-offs. Their season has been marked by massive inconsistencies. They recently defeated the high flying Panthers and a low scoring epic clash, but followed that with a poor game against the Magpies last week.

The action kicks off at midday.

 

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List

 

1	Nathan Howlett
2	Lorima Rokosuka
3	Dakota Kakoi
4	Siamani Leuluai
5	Devonte Vaivela
6	Ioane Lui
7	Lincoln Fletcher
8	Beau Lucien
9	Lachlan Coinakis
19	Jordan Miller
11	Trace Beattie
12	Stirling Faumui
13	Stirling Faumui
Interchange
14	Wesley Tongamoa
16	Saumaki Saumaki
17	Steven Nunn
18	Billy Fanene
20	Hayden Bell

 

Late Mail

 

Devonte Vaivela indeed makes a return to the Jersey Flegg Cup this week after an excellent, extended stretch in reserve grade. Jackson Koina was initially named in both Flegg and Cup but no longer features on this team sheet so look for him to play up in Cup. Callum McMenemy steps into the back row on the edges as Stirling Faumui shifts to lock forward to accommodate the absence of Koina. Billy Fanene comes onto the interchange bench with the promotion of McMenemy to the starting squad.

Those are the extent of the changes to the top seventeen today but of note is the presence of current Australian Schoolboys Representative and Harold Matthews star Hayden Bell at 18th man. This is an aggressive developmental push from the Eels but Bell was a genuine standout in the Under 17s competition and now looks to be very much in the plans of the Under 21s.

 

First Half

 

Eels to receive the kick off in the first half.

Howlett fields the kick and sends Lucien into the fray. McMenemy and Miller take the ball to the left as Faumui centres it. Back to Lucien for a second charge into the opening possession as Miller echoes that effort – although he is met strongly by the Bunnies. Beattie carves into the South Sydney half  – there has been a six again somewhere here – as McMenemy brings up the last which sees Fletcher heave it a metre short of the goal line to put the polish on a good first set.

Some energy from the Eels in defence now as they work hard to pin the Rabbitohs deep in the half. The Bunnies counter with a shift to their right to claw their way to the 40m line as the punch it downfield on the last. Howlett claims it on the full and returns it as Leuluai and Vaivela get in behind the ruck on the next two carries.

Miller steams in now! Good run from the big marn. To the right where Kakaoi gets a run as Fletcher again sends a well weighted bomb up that traps the home team near their goal line.

Goodness me. We highlighted Taj Alvarez as the danger man in our preview and we were bang on. Again the Eels are unloading in defence with good line speed to try and pin the Bunnies but Alvarez makes an electric run out of dummy half that opens the Eels up. Howlett tries to contain him as the last line but Alvarez is able to avoid getting dragged down as he keeps him ball carrying arm free for the around-the-corner offload to Dwayne Lyons. Incredible solo effort.

Despite all the early running the Eels will play from behind.

 

Try scored by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Conversion successful.

Rabbitohs lead 6-0

6min gone

 

And now comes the burst of momentum for the scoring team. You see it so often. Souths suddenly gain traction in the ruck and work deep into Parra’s half for the attacking kick. Thankfully it is too heavy off the boot as Rokosuka claims it in-goals. He had to go down low for the catch and has caught the stray leg of a chaser there. Lorima is left a bit dusty from the encounter and it leads to a penalty but I don’t think there was malice or intent there.

Eels finds touch 35m out from their line as they work from left to right with runs from Miller and McMenemy. Back left as Faumui is the link man in a big switch of play but it unravels as Beattie’s pass to Lui is off the mark and dropped by the five-eighth.

Good look here for Souths as they win the scrum near halfway. They play up the middle initially but then venture right where there are some big collisions between big lads as Miller and Lavakeiaho meet. Excellent scramble defence from the Eels now. Souths are desperately throwing the ball around on the last and Parramatta keep turning up in numbers to save the day and force an error.

Parramatta complete the resultant set with some tidy ruck work and an attacking kick in behind that doesn’t quite hold inside the field of play. Not bad vision from the Eels there but the balls dribble over the sideline just inside the defensive 20m of the Rabbitohs – not a bad result either way.

Eels are pinged for hands in the ruck late in the South Sydney reply set. Beattie pleads his case to the referee but the call is set in stone. Another premium chance for the Rabbitohs here. Shot! Lucien rattles the cage of the halfback Fotu-Molala as he reads the show and go perfectly. Bunnies are fixated on working the short balls around the posts and it results in a spilled ball as the Eels hold on for another defensive set.

The Bunnies load up for some strong defence here. Eels are struggling to get out of their defensive quarter before solid carries from Miller and McMenemty create some breathing room. Fletcher booms the clearing kick downfield as Souths get the ball back to their 30m mark.

Geez, that man again. Alvarez in a carbon copy of his earlier gilded touch as he zips out of dummy half and slices through the middle. Too much pace for Howlett there and while Lui puts in a spirited effort to gun him down I think he might have pulled his hammy as comes up lame in the final metres needed to close out and make the tackle. Taj is a genuine class above though.

 

Try scored by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Conversion successful.

Rabbitohs lead 12-0

17min gone

 

While Alvarez has dissected the Eels surgically with timely runs from dummy half – this time they kick the doors wide open as their massive prop Lavakeiaho smashes through the ruck and into the backfield. Soft ruck defence there and it costs the Eels 6-points as Isaac Fotu-Moaola races up in support to take the ball off the big man and score the back-to-back try.

 

Try scored by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Conversion successful.

Rabbitohs lead 18-0

20min gone

 

Plenty of confidence from the Rabbitohs now as they fling the footy around in the second phase without fear. The Eels are able to hold on and get the ball back and they threaten to respond with a punishing burst from Vaivela that takes the Eels over halfway. Lui, who looks to have escaped a hamstring injury, tries to cheekily double up from dummy half down the narrow short side but he is caught and risks getting bundled into touch. He throw the offload back infield but it is intercepted by the home team.

Again, the error is costly for the Eels as the Bunnies go on to score later in the bonus set as they roll the ball in behind the left edge of the Blue & Gold Alvarez – Corbin Alvarez that is, brother of Taj – races through to claim it deep inside the in-goals and get it down despite heavy contact from Howlett.

 

Try scored by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Rabbitohs lead 22-0

25min gone

 

Time off in the game now following a diving tackle from Steven Nunn. He lands on the back of the legs of the fullback Callaghan and it has left the Souths’ custodian dinged up. Not sure if that was the mechanics of a hip drop as opposed to a diving tackle but it has left Callaghan in a bad way and he will limp off and be subbed. Penalty to the Rabbitohs but no further action against Nunn barring going on report.

Too soft from the right edge there. While Souths sharply move the ball to their left, the Eels have marked up well – but are let down by their contact as Rokosuka is bumped off by Dean Tauaa down an incredibly narrow corridor. Mind you, the cover defence also failed to contain the thick makeshift winger as he thundered for 10m to score in the corner.

 

Try scored by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Rabbitohs lead 26-0

28min gone

 

The Eels have not been able to get much right after their spirited start to this game. Now an error comes from an errant offload by Miller that leads to a knock on by Beattie I think as the Bunnies pounce of the ball. Parramatta survive the raid on this occasion as the touch judge raises the flag on the diving attempt at ground from Tauaa. Small blessing there.

A better set from the Eels now as they march downfield with runs from Fletcher and Howlett carrying the team deep into enemy territory. Fletcher completes the set with a competitive bomb to the left. Souths claim it but are driven in-goals however, the Eels lose the ball forwards in the contest for a short drop out as Rokosuka can’t reel it in against a Souths contested jumper.

Yeah, sadly we can close the books on this one inside the first half as the home team score once again. This one at least wasn’t a front line bust or defensive collapse as the Rabbitohs were able to outleap Howlett in the contest for an attacking bomb near the goal line. Parramatta simply haven’t been able to parlay their strong start into anything on the scoreboard and Souths – spearheaded by Taj Alvarez – have played them off the park since.

 

Try scored by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Rabbitohs lead 30-0

39min gone

 

Both teams trade soft errors before half time as we head to the sheds with the Eels facing an presumably insurmountable deficit on the scoreboard.

 

Half Time

South Sydney Rabbitohs 30 lead the Parramatta Eels 0

 

 

Second Half

 

Apologies, my update got lost in the void it looks like. So we resume 7min into the second half after the Eels – having absorbed more pressure – flip the field on the back of some gritty work from Beattie as he charges down as attacking chip and races 80m downfield before he is gunned down. From there the Eels pick up multiple penalties – offside, dangerous throw and then a scrum differential – as they set up camp on the Souths’ goal line.

They are finally able to get themselves on the board and it comes via a sharp right edge movement. The Eels get the ball out to Howlett with a bit of time and shape and he lofts it through the air for a flying Rokosuka who practically somersaults into the in-goals to beat the cover defence and get the ball down. He has a knack for those finishes though.

 

Try scored by Lorima Rokosuka. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels trail 6-30

51min gone

 

McMenemy, Saumaki and Nunn take the Eels forwards before Tongamoa uses some footwork to nearly get in behind the ruck. The Eels venture over halfway with McMenemy before Fletcher bombs it to Lyons at the back for the Bunnies who takes the bomb on a knee.

Suddenly there is a loose carry early in the set and the Eels get another chance to reduce the severe deficit.

Centrefield scrum elected by the Blue & Gold but there is some time off as Nunn gets his head strapped up. He has been opened up in spite of his trademark pink head gear – don’t see the head splits too often when the lid is on.

Anyway, right to Leuluai from the scrum win. Fletcher brings play back left with Nunn who offloads to Faumui. Nunn then gets another run back to the posts as play continues right with a big shift to Leuluai who is taken by the ankles near the sideline. Fletcher sends the bomb back to the left but Corbin Alvarez climbs high to take it in the air.

Fletcher tries to lift the Eels next set as he looks to surge in behind the ruck but he is thinking ahead of where he is at as he grasses a straight forward pass. Souths fail to complete the reply set with a forward pass called by the near side touch judge.

Tongamoa continues his solid form with a bustling run around the middle. Fanene win a fast ruck with a brutal charge but it was too powerful as he leaves a skittled defender on the ground and the referee pulls up play to allow trainers to tend to the downed defender.

The set is closed out with a grubber kick from Fletcher looking for…Jordan Miller!? The big man rumbles through in pursuit but is barely beaten to the bouncing ball as Beattie makes the tackle.

Sloppy work around the ruck from Parramatta sees them correctly pulled up for a forward pass. That was well and truly forwards and a simple call from the officials.

The Eels continue their improved second half – to little overall benefit sadly – as Vaivela sparks a counter attack with a smart read and intercept on his goal line. The Eels work through the surprise set including a great, winding carry from Leuluai before plays ends where it starts with a stand up basketball offload from Beattie to Vaivela for the score!

 

Try scored by Devonte Vaivela. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels trail 12-30

66min gone

 

Play continues to swing ever so slightly to the Eels in the second stanza as Souths force a loose offload that is dropped. Miller fights hard over halfway and flicks a neat, late offload but the referee had called held as the point of release. Back we come. Still, Fletcher seizes on the reset of play with a scorching run to the line that releases Leuluai! The right centre flies into the red zone and flicks a pass to Rokosuka who again dives for the corner but while he gets the ball down the touch judge has raised the flag – his boot caught a piece of the sideline!

Beattie has worn a blow to his head there. That looked heavy. Referee quickly signals time off and Trace gets back to his feet but geez not sure if he should still be out there. As the Eels nearly did just minutes prior, Souths leap from the stop-start flow of the game as they shift left and use a sequence of damaging offloads back infield from the left wing to get Te Paeroa We Neera over. Eels just caught short by the sequence of three offloads there.

 

 

Try scored by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Conversion successful.

Rabbitohs lead 36-12

73min gone

 

Sharp work from Howlett as he poaches the ball for the Eels from a short kick off. Miller and McMenemy get called for runs before Miller nearly scores on a second carry. The referee signals a penalty for a double movement against the big marn. It didn’t look like one from the grandstand angle but the referee was right on the spot and obviously saw the promotion of the ball that was shielded by Miller’s body from my angle.

Sequential errors from the Eels and Rabbitohs put Parramatta in possession with a few minutes left on the clock. They will take over from roughly 35m out from the South Sydney goal line. Centrefield scrum.

Eels play to the right as Fletcher finds Miller. Right again as Fletcher sends McMenemy back underneath. Shift to wide left from there as Vaivela does very well to say inside the field of play. Miller then sparks a nice move wide right as he flicks the ball out to Leuluai who dances back through the middle and then backhands it to a looping McMenemy who attacks the narrow right edge and breaks through to score in the corner.

 

Try scored by Callum McMenemy. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels trail 16-36

79min gone

 

That will do us as the Eels get a scrum feed from a Souths knock on via a Leuluai grubber kick but neither team is interested in packing in as the siren rings out. While they improved in the second half, a disastrous 2nd quarter has likely scuppered Parra’s finals aspirations in the Flegg this season.

 

Full Time

South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 defeat the Parramatta Eels 16

 

NSW Cup Team List

 

1	Brad Avery
2	Jake Tago
3	Araz Nanva
4	Sean Russell
5	Devonte Vaivela
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Apa Twidle
8	Ryda Talagi
9	Kruz Niutili-Schmidt
10	Toni Mataele
11	Tyrese Lokeni
12	Max Tupou
13	Harrison Edwards
Interchange
14	Jack Hudson
15	Elijah Shane-Tapau
16	Jackson Koina
17	Harley Walker

First Half

 

 

 

Second Half

 

 

 

Sixties