Jennings-Radradra To Form Deadly Combo
Brad Arthur now has two of the most potent strike weapons in the league
Michael Jennings begins training with Parramatta Photo: Parramatta Eels
It was dramatically late but Parramatta have assembled a deadly left-side combination that will be the envy of the NRL.
The Eels' signing of star centre Michael Jennings on Monday means coach Brad Arthur now has two of the most potent strike weapons in the league.
The representative three-quarter is almost certain to partner two-time Dally M winger Semi Radradra on a frightening left flank that scored a combined 32 tries in 2015.
Semi Radradra celebrates scoring a try Photo: Getty Images
Jennings has scored 112 tries in just 193 career games while Radradra has an even better strike rate at 48 in 49 matches.
Individually the high-octane pair cross the line on average 66 times every 100 games and will be more potent as a combination, a prospect that will strike fear into the hearts of every opposition coach.
The off-season musical chairs continued on Monday with Jennings to be replaced at Bondi by unwanted Brisbane centre Dale Copley.
The former Penrith star will shift back to Sydney's west and link with a club he once admitted hating.
In an interview in 2011, he said: "I don't hate the Parramatta players, just the team they represent.
"If you come through the Penrith juniors, you're brought up to hate Parra. That's how I was brought up and I'm sure it's still going on."
Michael Jennings at Parramatta training Photo: Parramatta eels
Now Jennings has been tasked by new coach Brad Arthur to help nurture his young Eels teammates.
"Michael's success in the game as a premiership-winner and in representative rugby league is obvious, and he'll be a real leader and mentor to some of the younger outside backs we have in our NRL squad," he said.
Kieran Foran directing traffic at Eels training Photo: Getty Images
It's a challenge the NSW centre has embraced with open arms as he joins Kieran Foran, Beau Scott, Clinton Gutherson and Michael Gordon as new faces at the club.
"Parramatta's a club on the rise and I'm looking forward to the challenge, taking a leadership role and further developing my game," Jennings said.
"I have some really good mates at the club - boys I've grown up with - and I'm confident we can do well in the coming years."
Jennings has played 193 NRL games and made 16 State of Origin appearances for the Blues. He's also scored six tries in seven Tests for Australia.
Replies
I think this is stating the bloody obvious but let's hope we add alot more points from this end this year.
It's not about what Semi needs, it's about what's best for the team.
Does it really matter if Semi scores less tries, if it means our left side scores more overall? He might've scored 24 tries last year but he and Takairangi 'only' scored 28 between them. Don't you think Jennings + Radradra could score more than that combined? Jennings + Tupou scored 34 combined in their premiership season.
Top photo shows Jennings on right side of field doesn't it? If he could play right centre it would be better for Parra, means we are dangerous on both sides of the field then plus defence evenly spread out. In reality we need to spread our attacking options from the left side as too obvious and easy for opposition to stack defence on one side only.
Pou how many tries did our right side score, much less than 28 I would imagine. We need to improve attack (and defence) that side to be a batter balanced side overall.
And here is where the root of our issues have been for the past 6 seasons, defense, get this right and the rest will fall into place.
In any sport defense is paramount, that should always be the basis where one begins. I think we have recruited well and alot of those holes will close, especially with Sandow gone. There is enough talent in the squad to score points in my opinion and a goal kicker which we have sorely lacked especially last year.
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