De Gois - fitness test on Sunday - Eels Blogs

I think we all know IDG will be playing on Monday. He's been training with the team and I heard Cody Nelson played for Wenty this weekend. Anyway, here's an article from SMH to back it all up...

http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-sport/de-gois-to-answer-hooking-sos-for-eels-20150705-3ysrw.html

Parramatta hooker Isaac De Gois will undergo a fitness test on Sunday in a bid to return a month early from a cheekbone injury in time to play Wests Tigers.

The Eels are in the midst of a hooking crisis with first-choice rake Nathan Peats sidelined with a recurring knee issue and third-string Kaysa Pritchard out for the year with another torn pec.

Eels coach Brad Arthur was forced to play part-time hooker Cody Nelson in the No. 9 jumper in last week's upset of Melbourne, but could get a boost for Monday night's clash with the return of De Gois.

"He'll have a bit of a fitness test today. His injury is quite severe, so we're not going to rush him through," Arthur said on Sunday.

Second-rower Manu Ma'u will also play for the first time in almost a month after being suspended for a raised knee against North Queensland in Round 13.

"Losing players through suspension is not great, but it was probably a rest that he deserved," Arthur said.

"He's feeling a little bit fresher and he's ready to go. He feels he's let his team down having those two games off but he's looking for a big game tomorrow."

Arthur batted away questions over the dramatic signing of Kieran Foran, who this week officially agreed to a two-year deal with the club beginning in 2016, with a player option for further two seasons.

"The boys are only focused on 2015. It's great for our club, but what's our priority right now is the rest of this season," he said.

The former Manly assistant also refused to answer questions on his own future, which is now seemingly secure after reports of a clause inserted into Foran's contract that allows him to leave should Arthur be let go.

"All these stories going around are all news to me. No disrespect to anyone, but our focus is on 2015," he said.

RECENT TIGERS-EELS MEETINGS

* Since 2009, the Tigers have won nine of 12 matches against the Eels, including six of the past seven

* The Tigers have kicked a field goal in seven of those nine wins

* The Tigers have won just two of 11 Monday night games since 2012

* The Eels have won three of their past four Monday night fixtures. They should be four from four but bombed a 24-point lead against the Cowboys in Round 13

* The Eels have lost all three previous matches at the venue in 2015 and have won just one of their past 19 games there.

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Replies

Revo3010 July 5, 2015 at 8:23pm

Unless there is a drama with the 2nd teir salary, I don't understand why BA needs to rush IDG back given CN had a very solid game and fitted in well with the team structures.

Also with next week a Bye and the next game after that being a Monday night game against the Bulldogs that would give IDG another 2 weeks to let his injury heal and build his fitness. We are not losing anything by having CN there instead of IDG

Given CN played for Wenty yesterday it is pretty much a given that IDG will be playing. Lets home he plays as solid as CN did.

Go The Eels. We can do it
- Blue Gold Legend > Revo3010 July 5, 2015 at 11:01pm
  
  The game against the bulldogs after the bye is actually Friday night not a Monday night as you have stated above!
Gower Power July 5, 2015 at 9:07pm

Same - better to use Nelson than rush IDG back in.
Gower Power July 5, 2015 at 11:45pm

Even less incentive to go to the game when it's on 'free to air' TV
eels93 July 5, 2015 at 11:46pm

I don't see why everyone wants Nelson to play over degois even if he is fit. Yes Nelson had a solid game last week but he is a back rower playing at hooker. This is a must win game as it will put us into a good position heading into the bye. degois has great line speed and is a hooker with a running and kicking game which we need.

I think the fact that nelson did a lot better then everyone was expecting I believe makes his game look better then it actually was. Don't get me wrong he played great but degois will offer more and we need it. Nelson was solid and tackled everything that moved, degois leads the line speed, puts on good shots in defense and is much more creative the nelson.

I believe if it wasn't for 2nd tier issues nelson would be playing over Paulo.
- Gower Power > eels93 July 5, 2015 at 11:49pm
  
  Nelson V Seffa... now that's the real issue. I wish we could just have a top 30 or 40 and pick from those players
Revo3010 July 6, 2015 at 8:57am

Apologies for the wrong date.

But still I would not be taking a chance on IDG at this stage given the time he has been away and the team is getting a roll on so why change a winning team unless the 2nd tier cap is a major problem
Ryan VanderStar July 6, 2015 at 9:04am

lol it says they had to play nelson in the upset win against melbourne :)
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" July 6, 2015 at 9:23am

Stupidity at its best AGAIN, from our coach .

Risk sidelining DeGois for the rest of the season when we have a ready replacement in Nelson who more then held his own against St G.

Facial fractures do not heal in just a few weeks - one good hit and DeGois is gone - immediate 3 man bench with NO recognised hooker.

Onya Brad - another master stroke from "the best coach in the business."