Anyone catch the game? I'm excited to hear Wehbe coming up with a bag full of try assists.
Club's NYC report follows:
In a match that went back and forth, the Parramatta Eels have captured a victory over the Brisbane Broncos in the Toyota Cup season opener at Parramatta Stadium.
Despite a close 24-16 score line, the Eels were the more dominant team scoring 5 tries to 3, with goal kicking keeping the game in the balance.
In wet and slippery conditions, both sides struggled to contain the ball committing numerous turnovers throughout the match.
The first 20 minutes was riddled with sloppy ball handling and both sides were unable to complete their sets. Both teams could only gain territory through penalties.
Coupled errors and several penalties were invaluable in setting both sides up for ample opportunities in attack.
A costly Bronco error gave the Eels first points in the 7th minute when winger James Tuitahi scored in the left corner after receiving a tricky pass on his inside from Vai Toutai.
However, the Broncos were able to hit straight back after the Eels inexplicably knocked on from the kick off. Hard-working Caleb Timu muscled his way to score next to the posts, giving the Broncos an early 6-4 lead.
Eels’ captain Jason Webhe looked impressive in his combination with halves partner Robbie Komoto leading the team around the park. Webhe used some tricky footwork to score next to the posts to regain a 10-6 lead.
Bronco winger, Jerome Leedy was at the end of some great offloading and ball work to score in the right corner and draw the scores level at 10-all at halftime.
Webhe was in amongst the thick of it again when he set up the Eels’ first try of the second half putting forward, Luke Uikelotu, through the gap.
Caleb Timu proved to be a handful for the Eels bagging the double when he barrelled through the posts to regain a 16-14 Broncos lead.
However, the Eels halves asserted their class when Webhe grubbered for Komoto to score before Webhe and Komoto were involved once again to set up Tangitoa over the line to extend the Eels’ lead to 24-16 lead with ten minutes remaining.
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get webhe in the starting side......he couldnt do much worse then what we're dishing up
Good to see this going on, last year they were miserable. Can't wait to see if Jason Wehbe cracks first grade.
Yes Mack it was Tanginoa. He was awarded players player for his effort.
SKIPPER WEHBE LEADS THE TEAM TO VICTORY
The NYC match report on the Broncos website talks about their team’s gallant and brave effort in going down to the Eels last night and they are the same words I would use to describe our effort in winning the first game of the season 24-16.
Someone also likened the game to “old Nolan” vs “new Nolan”, in reference to the program put in place at Brisbane by our recruitment and development manager Peter Nolan whereby they play better younger players in preference to older players to challenge their ability and skills.
The “newer Nolan” won out last night with the Eels playing six players still eligible for SG Ball. Half Robbie Kamoto, winger Takai Moeakiola, lock Frazer Masinamua and second rower Kelepi Tanginoa all started while hooker Kaysa Pritchard and prop Pauli Pauli came off the bench.
The Broncos side are chock-a-block full of former Oz schoolboys and QLD reps and last week smashed the Melbourne Storm in a final trial 54-18 in Melbourne.
As the official match reports note there were lots of dropped ball in the slippery conditions but it was the Eels discipline in that stood out for me. In the trials we gave away too many penalties and loose carrys to give the opposition the pill. I’m pleased to report an improvement in this aspect.
I think the win can be put down to the fine form of our spine last night. Fullback Jason Seage, a Nolan purchase from the ARU 7’s program (but a former Parra junior), halves Robbie Kamoto and Jason Wehbe and hooker Luke Vescio controlled the game well. Seage had strong kick returns and took the high ball well and was unlucky not to score a try when he lost the ball over the line. Kamoto and Wehbe controlled the game well with Kamoto setting his edge up nicely while Wehbe stood out with a prodigious kicking game and try-assists. He also scored a try. Hooker Luke Vescio is a Nolan purchase from the Manly club (don’t you just love it) and his work rate was first class topping the tackle count and controlling the ruck well.
I also thought our backrow of Luke Uikelotu (Nolan purchase from the Dogs but a former Sawtell junior), Frazer Masinamua and Kelepi Tanginoa were superior.
I have to say that every player on the park had a dig. After disappointing in the trials the players came out in front of their home crowd and put in a great effort. At last night’s presentation at the Leagues Club Kelepi Tanginoa was awarded players player while Vescio took out the coaches award.
From what I saw last night my B&F points would go something like this;
3 – Jason Wehbe
2 – Kelepi Tanginoa
1 – Luke Uikelotu
1 – Frazer Masinamua
Next week doesn’t get any easier when we face the NYC premiers of the last two seasons the Warriors. It will be a tough test. I’ve heard Jacob Gagen is available for selection so we will learn on Tuesday if he is selected.
Parramatta Eels 24 (Tuitahi, Wehbe, Uikelotu, Kamoto, Tanginoa Tries; Wehbe (2/5) Goals) def. Brisbane Broncos 16 (Timu, Leedy, Peeters Tries; Hegarty (2/3) Goals
I made a comment in another blog Jimmy that the back row in under 20's are better than our back row exception being Reni...
No offence to Hindy but he should play prop since he defends in the middle like a prop.
Hindy is actually impacting our offence cause we lack another wide running back rower.
We look inpect in attack and I said at halftime we wont win this game if the broncos hold onto the ball and sure enough i was right.
We cant win with a defending roster thats just the facts. you win when you outscore the other team 0-0 is a draw at best
Horo is no 80 mins neither is keating
Morgan has not attacking ability and our wingers saw little ball except running from dummy half.
We are a rabble of a team and thats putting it bluntly.
If hayne and tonga are not out there next home game we will get towelled by 20.
We cant go into the next game with Horo Lasalo hindy in the backrow
or have esi and morgan in the same squad.
Sandow and roberts need to run at the line and we need to give the ball some air and get it to the wingers.
NUFF SAID another dissapointing result from the boys in the top grade.
I cant believe I paid good money for season tix and I wont be renewing if we dont start playing with more flair in attack. Thats how I see it and I dont give a rats if you agree or not as I am not asking for your permission or trying to convince you.
Jimmy, this is fantastic review. I'm stoked to hear Kelepi has stepped it up already. Playing up an age bracket and still being able to put in dominant performances, kind of puts paid to the fear that he was just an early developer.
If Wehbe can continue to develop his game, and in particular his running game, we won't need to look elsewhere for a long-term partner for Sandow. The nice thing about Wehbe is he is a natural leader - which is not something we've had in our halves for a very long time. I reckon you could put him up into first grade tomorrow and he'd be straight out there barking orders. The assist-side of his game is potentially the best we've had since Tim Smith and he'd be the type of player that would let Sandow focus on his more instinctive game and not get too bogged down in trying to steer. But he's going to need to threaten the line as well at NRL level.
How did Eiso look in the front row?
Have to agree on the lack of flair Sinny. I also thought Morgan was ordinary last night but I will reserve my judgement till I see him in more games. The NYC backrow has plenty of potential and I think we will see them in future years playing NRL if they stay focussed.
Eiso looked good 1Eyed. I didn't like his trial form much as he seemed to be getting smashed in tackles. But last night he took them on and I thought he played really well.
I must say, the move of Eisenhuth to the front-row surprised me, but it's encouraging to hear that he played well there.
Tariq Sims played front row in NYC. He's just there because of his size, when he moves into the first grade squad next year he will play backrow again :)
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