YOU might call them the Eel-Oompa Loompas but what Parramatta's forwards lack in height they sure make up for with Westie grit.
As the Eels set their sights on their first NRL finals appearance since 2009, it can be revealed they will rely on the second-shortest forward pack to lead the way.
Brisbane are surprisingly the shortest at a combined 924.29cm, according to Fox Sports Stats, with the Eels 925.12Cm.
South Sydney are the tallest forward unit at 956,47cm-largely due to the Burgess boys Sam, Tom and George while Melbourne (953.94) feature the likes of Jesse Bromwich and Jordan McLean
Eels coach Brad Arthur Was keen on luring a tall, rangy prop when he signed two-metre giant Kane Evans for next year The Rooters behemoth admitted earlier this season during his talks with Arthur, that the coach had made it known he already had "a lot of short nuggets who are powerful.
Want to be known as the No. 1-Working forward pack." Brown said. "I think we've been doing that the last couple of weeks." Mannah said a taller body would add a different dynamic to the pack, but you could not question the Eels' forwards work rate The reduced interchange rule has forced props to punch out longer minutes, something most of the blue and gold nuggets are capable of doing.
The Tigers have four men in the middle taller than 90cm, including skipper Aaron Woods, Twal, Matt Eiseրիuth and Tim Grant "We just make sure we get the job done, and our work rate is never in doubt Mannah said, Were is a team to hit our Straps. We have another second-week bloc before the end of the regular season, we want to make sure were going into the end of the season with momentum as we can, and it starts Sunday against the Tigers. "made it known he already had "a lot of short nuggets who were powerful".
Parramatta for Wards Siosaia Vave (188cm), Nathan Brown (185cm) skipper Tim Mannah (184cm) and "little" Suaia Matagi (179cm) have not taken a backward step all year against their taller NRL opponents.
Daniel Alvaro (191cm) looked a giant standing next to Matagi this Week, While Alex Twal - the young prop who was let go by the Eels and Will line up against them for the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Sunday - is the tallest of the lot at 192cm. "Eel-Oompa Loompas? I'd prefer Parramatta pocket rockets'." Vave told The Telegraph. "If we had Takkers (Brad Takairangi) upfront, that would bump it up. But we hold our Own, and We run as hard as anyone else.
"We might not be as tall as other sides, but I'd like to think we're in timidating with our running and ferocious defence - We're Small but have big hearts." Brown has arguably been the Standout forward for the Eels the former Tigers player will prove a handful for his old teammates "We definitely pride ourselves on Working hard for each other.
Replies
Terepo needs to come into the 17 asap imo bringing some much needed size and impact off the bench.
Although Will Smith brings that versatility off the bench, the bench would look more foremidable with Matagi, Alvaro, Edwards and Terepo there.
Brown can fill in at dummy half for a short stint.
Too true.
You'd bloody hope so! My 2yo daughter is taller than 90cm!
My thoughts exactly!
Bronco are the shortest and Rabbits the tallest - too much anxiety about height
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