Bash Brothers
From Ben Blashke - Big League
There's a revolution happening out Parramatta way, starting with the young behemoths who are quickly making a name for themselves in the NRL.
There is no substitute for sheer size on a rugby league field. Just ask Brad Arthur....When he was handed the reins at Parramatta this season, following the sudden departure of the pRicky pRick, after just one year at the club, & the Eels coming off consecutive spoons, everyone thought it would be another 'rebuilding' year.....favourites in everyone's head for the spoon again. But they forgot to tell the Eels' players & coach. - BA, the fourth coach this great club has had in 5 years. Not an appealing scenario unless you bleed blue & spew gold. Having worked under Bellamy at the Storm, Kearney at the Eels & the little shithead in charge of Manly, BA came to Parra at the eleventh hour, thanks to the insistence of the 'plumber', & the Eels are now going from strength to strength. - Nothing epitomises their rise more than the young behemoths. Junior Paulo & Pauli Pauli are just two of the new breed Eels, both still teenagers. But both mentioned in hushed tones when talking about Origin in a few years. - I knew they both had talent and that they both had size, says BA when asked about the giant duo. It was just a matter of giving them an opportunity & trying to work with them.
It's definitely an advantage to have that size on your side & it's probably something we've lacked for a while, said BA. They both carry the ball hard, attract defenders because of their size. Getting them used to the weekly grind & repeated effort will come with more games.
There has been plenty to like about the resurgent Eels under Arthur this season. With the 110kg Paulo & the massive Pauli at 120kg, steamrolling opposition & showing amazing ball skills, for young players, is it any wonder the sleeping giants of the game are waking from their slumber??
Who can forget Paulo, busting through 2 tackles, getting a beautiful ball to Hayne, who scores under the posts.... Or the monster, Pauli, with 3 defenders around him, getting a sublime ball out to his wing for a wonderful try!! - The behemoths are our future!
Replies
yes we should offter pauli a live time contract
Yep.
Exciting what BA can do with some young forwards with potential.
He really established himself as a shrewd and tactful forwards mentor at Manly last year which is why I was absolutely stoked we got him.
He has brought some much needed steely resolve to this team.
Like he said, you can't teach toughness, they have to develop that within themselves.
Everything else he is teaching them however seems to be working a treat!
10 years
Jnr would have to be closer to 120kg surely....I mean each leg weighs about 50kg alone!
I would have thought so too, but they're both massive & just what this club needs right now!! - I love it....the Bash Brothers!!