1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Bailey Simmonson
3. Jordan Samrani
4. Sean Russell
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jonah Pezet
7. Mitchell Moses (c)
8. J’maine Hopgood
9. Ryley Smith
10. Junior Paulo
11. Kelma Tuilagi
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Jack Williams
Interchange:
14. Dylan Walker
15. Sam Tuivati
16. Matt Doorey
17. Tallyn Da Silva
18. Jack De Belin
19. Joash Papaili
Reserves:
20. Charlie Guymer
21. Brian Kelly
22. Luca Moretti
INs: J'Maine Hopgood
OUTs: Charlie Guymer
Referee: Ashley Klein
Just the one change to the side that stunned the Broncos. Prop J'maine Hopgood returns from suspension so Jack Williams slides to lock and Jack de Belin goes to the six-man bench for the clash with his former club.
Replies
Made the right call with Williams back to lock and JDB on the bench
I would say JBD has been dropped to be fair. I do not see the value of JBD off the bench unless it is simply to defend and clean up with the first rotation of players. Walker, Tuivaiti and TDS are definately playing as they do in rotation. Doorey i also not seeing not getting play time.
JDB has been disappointing so far. Not really making an impact with his defence, in fact getting dominated in the early exchanges. The Eels have the option in their favour for 2027? I can't see them renewing it at this stage.
It shows Ryles is not afraid to move on if not working. Kelly down the pecking order with Samrani preferred now De Belin.
Good call on both players
It might not be a permanent move LB, the game is starting fast this season and Ryles needs to react to this change. This is a much more mobile pack to compete with the Dragons young pack. This is smart strategy and being agile in their team formation approach.
All games are starting fast, i see De Belin not getting a look in unless injuries. Who knows, come Sunday he could be the first sub in the rotation with Walker, but if he doesn't get on then that is saying something to what Ryles prefers his middles to do. Williams, Paulo and Hopgood is a mixture of workrate, leg speed and size.
There will be games where Paulo will be managed from the bench to start, JDB might get a look in for some leadership but if he misses game time against Dragons it is a sign. After Sunday we will know.
Hopefully JDB is giving our young forwards some value off the field, cause I don't think he'll see much game time unless we get injuries.
With the speed of the game and the six-again-palooza that's happening this season age is going to be a bigger factor than ever with big bodies - you can't beat fatigue when you age, it just catches up. When the game had wrestle and stoppages then skill was more important than fatigue - an old wiley player could still pull the strings and out-think a younger one.
Now with VLandys wanting every game a try-fest I can't see a place for us to carry too many older forwards in the side.
Correct call on JDB.
JDB has Zero impact with the ball and although his defence is what he is known for, the speed of attack, repeat sets (6 again rule) gases him out and he's no longer effective.
Rule changes and speed of the game has gone past him.
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