BA swings the axe...Updated New Halves Pairing

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has dumped strike winger Maika Sivo as part of a reshuffle designed to ignite his side’s stuttering season.

Arthur has gone with a new halves partnership for Saturday’s clash against North Queensland, with Daejarn Asi to come in at five-eighth alongside halfback Dylan Brown.

Rookie Blaize Talagi will revert back to the centres with Bailey Simonsson being moved to the wing for Sivo, whose surprise omission is a certain sign Arthur is becoming fed-up with his side’s modest and inconsistent results this season.

Parramatta have won two from five games this season and sit in 14th place. Parramatta are desperate to secure victory at CommBank Stadium this Saturday after last weekend’s embarrassing 41-8 loss to Canberra at GIO Stadium.

Sivo only logged 10 runs for 57 metres against the Raiders, although he did score both Parramatta’s tries.

He scored a try the previous week against Wests Tigers and ran for 94 metres.

Sivo has scored 90 tries in his 105 NRL games, having debuted back in 2019.

He hasn’t scored fewer than 13 tries in a season during his entire career.

Despite playing at home, Parramatta are $2.30 outsiders, according to TAB, with North Queensland $1.62 favourites.

—Dean Ritchie

"I don't listen closely to those guys but it seems a fairly unique perspective. Overwhelmingly people seem to agree that Parra's legal rights must be preserved. Even Emporer Vlandys will have to abide by the courts in this instance. He can't simply…"

"This is also putting pressure on the NRL to investigate dodgy proceedings with clubs approaching players knowing they have rights to do so. They have known about it but want to keep their head in the sand. Well done to Parra here. The NRL will make…"

Replies

Parraboy April 9, 2024 at 3:14pm

Ofahangaue should be next
- LB > Parraboy April 9, 2024 at 3:24pm
  
  Really? Out of all players him? He was alright against Canberra.
  - Parraboy > LB April 9, 2024 at 4:39pm
    
    Bro his done nothing since he came
    - John Seckold > Parraboy April 9, 2024 at 4:58pm
      
      He was one of our best forwards in the last two games. Have another look.
macybrown April 9, 2024 at 3:22pm

Besides other problems he could barely walk ok last week tho
LB April 9, 2024 at 3:25pm

Man looking at the stats of Ethyn Martin, put that kid on the wing in NSW cup and he will add something in the future. 246 metres, 8 tackle breaks but 3 errors. Just get him on the wing
- EA > LB April 9, 2024 at 3:44pm
  
  I 100% agree. Lots of people on here said he has the potential to be a fullback but that is a long way in the future. Let's him cook on the wing
Michael Ericson April 9, 2024 at 3:29pm

I dare say he's just injured. If he plays cup it's an axing
- SuperEel 22 > Michael Ericson April 9, 2024 at 3:32pm
  
  He's hardly been able to move the last two weeks. Looks like he's running in treacle.
- LB > Michael Ericson April 9, 2024 at 3:34pm
  
  You are right but I'd have no issue dropping him, far from the issue might kick him into gear or it might be another Mannah and Brown scenario of not coming back