Arthur: Cowboys couldn’t come at a better time

Parraeels websiteThe Dyldam Parramatta Eels will make their first trip out of Sydney this week, when they head to Townsville to take on the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300Smiles Stadium on Saturday night (Saturday 23 April).After defeating the Cowboys in Round Two at Pirtek Stadium, the trip up north to take on the in-form second placed side will be a good test for the Eels, Head Coach Brad Arthur told Triple M this week.“They are really impressive and defensively they were nice and aggressive and got off their line,” Arthur said of the Round 8 opposition.“They play the same every week with their attack, but just have so many options there and a real strong running game.”“It will be a really good test for us because we haven’t performed well up there for the last couple of years in Townsville, so I am looking forward to it,” Arthur added.“It probably couldn’t come at a better time for us.”Whilst Arthur has been impressed with the sides defence over the opening seven rounds, the Head Coach had particular praise for his impact men off the bench, who have been doing a great job in lifting the Blue and Gold intensity.“Our bench has been really good for us and we have picking our bench a lot on leg speed,” Arthur said.“You bring Danny Wicks on, he is probably one of the fastest in our club. We don’t have to replace him if we don’t want to. He has really good conditioning levels.”“With Peni Terepo, he brings really fast feet through the middle and Kenny Edwards has a good run and bump and play a bit of footy.”“If you add Isaac De Gois, he just terrorises teams with his attitude.”Along with the bench, Arthur went on to praise new recruit Michael Jennings, who capped off his 200th NRL game last week with two four pointers.“The last three weeks, he [Jennings] has been really good for us with the ball in hand. But the last seven weeks, he has been very strong defensively,” Arthur said.“His contact is very aggressive, during the week he is relatively quiet around the joint but on the field his talk is great and his calmness has a really good influence on the rest of the boys around him.”That influence was on show last week, when the Sea Eagles jumped out to an early aggressive start that brought plenty of energy and saw the side get on the front foot.However after a half time speech saw the Eels show some mental fortitude early in the second half, including a mammoth 7 set effort on their own defensive line, before Jennings scored two late tries to secure the two points.“We were pretty happy with our effort the other night. I thought we were a little bit flat and a bit out-enthused by Manly.” Arthur said.“They really stuck it to us, but I gave the boys some simple instructions at half time to complete, kick long and make our tackles.”“I think we completed at 90% in the second half, only missed three or four tackles and we fell over the line which is what we needed to do.”

"I did modern day as 1998 onwards as I didn't see them play, as some here haven't. Where I believe majority of people here have seen all the modern day players play.
Plus it frees up some spots like we all know who 5/8 will be but now no idea."

"Old vs New. Pre 1998 Eels best team wearing the original Gold Jerseys vs post 1998 Eels best team wearing today's Blue jersey. The best from both eras playing against each other in a virtual stadium online. Jack Gibson coaching Gold, Brian Smith…"

"He played 134 of his 264 games as a winger. Didnt complain once like a Lomax when required on the wing. Was a team man through and through. He deserves to be in the Modern Day Best Eels team somewhere. Perhaps now that we have 6 interchange players…"

Replies

Richard Jackson April 18, 2016 at 3:09pm

We go up there fit, rested from a nine day interval and underdogs.

That's when we excel. I'm looking forward to it with confidence.
wiggy 71 April 18, 2016 at 4:15pm

Should be a cracker.
jai sankey April 18, 2016 at 4:28pm

Would of liked to see kelepi have a run. With his size and the way hes eating meters, it could help with vs the cowboys.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER April 18, 2016 at 6:03pm

If we lose I hope we don't lose by much
Wile E. Coyote April 18, 2016 at 6:22pm

Wow Cowboys are big favourites
- Chris > Wile E. Coyote April 18, 2016 at 8:10pm
  
  And so they should be, but we will leave nothing on the field and make them earn it. A win will only come from our most complete performance of the season. A great test and a true indication of where our team is at. I think we can do it.
Frank The Tank April 18, 2016 at 8:30pm

Well said Brad, my sentiments exactly.

As I said the other day Parra by 6.
Wizardssleeves official receipts April 18, 2016 at 9:05pm

I disagree with Brad , Origin time would've been a much better time .

This reply was deleted.

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Arthur: Cowboys couldn’t come at a better time

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