https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/01/01/parramatta-eels-2020-round-1-predicted-team/
Parramatta Eels: 2020 round 1 predicted team
Author
Chris Kennedy
NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 1 Jan 2020, 10:01 AM
Share on social media
Share via Facebook
Share via Twiiter
Share via Reddit
Share via Email
In a daily series analysing who will line up in each position for all 16 teams in the opening round of the Telstra Premiership in 2020, NRL.com looks at the resurgent Parramatta Eels.
NRL.com says: Michael Jennings and Waqa Blake are the centres with the versatile Brad Takairangi starting from the bench. Ryan Matterson is a straight swap for Manu Ma'u and Reagan Campbell-Gillard likely starts in what is otherwise a fairly settled forward pack.
Freshly re-signed young prop Oregon Kaufusi will keep the heat on Dan Alvaro and Kane Evans.
Jamie Soward says: Start Nathan Brown at prop so Reagan Campbell-Gillard can come off the bench, Matterson can play lock and Niukore can start in the second row.
I've got a bench of RCG, Alvaro, Evans and Peni Terepo which would be frankly scary for opposition teams but if you wanted more utility value Takairangi could take the last spot from Terepo.
NRL.com's predicted Eels round 1 team
Clint Gutherson
Maika Sivo
Michael Jennings
Waqa Blake
Blake Ferguson
Dylan Brown
Mitchell Moses
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Reed Mahoney
Junior Paulo
Shaun Lane
Ryan Matterson
Nathan Brown
Brad Takairangi
Kane Evans
Marata Niukore
Daniel Alvaro
Others: Andrew Davey, Haze Dunster, David Gower, George Jennings, Oregon Kaufusi, Ethan Parry, Jaeman Salmon, Will Smith, Ray Stone, Peni Terepo
Replies
I don't believe Waqa Blake will be fit for round 1, so I would suggest Taka will go into the centres to replace him if Blake is out.
If that happens I would say Kafusi might get the nod in place of Taka, interesting that the eels team site has Taka going to the backs as against being in the forwards like this year. I believe that with only one trial game scheduled against the rif, there will be several of the players who are certain starters in the 1-17 pick will play for around 60 minutes and for the next 20 others who are on the cuff of selection will be given their chances to push for a top 17 + the 4 reserves spots.
great team, shame about the coach who cant coach
Could you do better Crow?
I actually had a dream we were playing the Titans away and leading 19-4 before they brought on some boys and girls to play for them.
Was it a wet one?
All dreams that Parra wins are wet ones.
I hope Taka and Alvaro are not in the team.
1: C Gutherson
2: M Sivo
3: M Jennings
4: W Blake
5: B Ferguson
6: D Brown
7: M Moses
8: R Campbell Gillard
9: R Mahoney
10: Jr Paulo
11: S Lane
12: R Matterson
13: N Brown
14: M Nuikore
15: K Evans
16: O Kaufusi
17: D Alvaro
18th man R Stone
thats my 17 for round 1, I'd go with a big bench