Parramatta Eels unchanged for Gold Coast clash
The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have an unchanged line-up for their Round 22 clash against the Gold Coast Titans this weekend.
The Eels are currently 10th and travel to Skilled Park to take on the fifth-placed Titans on their home turf.
Back-rower Ben Smith will play his 100th game for the club and prop Nathan Cayless equals Brad Fittler’s record for most-captained NRL games when he captains the Eels for the 216th time.
“It’s great to see Ben reach this milestone now, injuries have often hindered him so it’s an achievement,” says coach Daniel Anderson.
“For the team winning is now a necessity, so we need to come away from the Gold Coast with a good result.”
Pirtek Parramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans, Friday August 6, 7.35pm, Skilled Park
1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Luke Burt
3. Joel Reddy
4. Timana Tahu
5. Krisnan Inu
6. Jeff Robson
7. Daniel Mortimer
8. Nathan Cayless (C)
9. Matthew Keating
10. Fuifui Moimoi
11. Nathan Hindmarsh (C)
12. Ben Smith
13. Feleti Mateo
INTERCHANGE
14. Kris Keating
15. Tim Mannah
16. Justin Horo
17. Justin Poore
Coach: Daniel Anderson
Toyota Cup v Gold Coast Titans, Friday August 6, 5.20pm, Skilled Park
1. TK Amosa
2. Ryan Morgan
3. Trent Jennings
4. Jacob Loko
5. Daniel Tupou
6. Jason Wehbe
7. Cameron Picker
8. Ava Seumanufagi
9. Dean Blackman
10. PJ Asiata
11. Pat O’Hanlon
12. Thomas Young
13. Rory Brien
INTERCHANGE
14. Krys Freeman
15. Peni Terepo
16. Fred Lang Siu
17. Boyd Brown
18. Tim Crellin
Coach: Matt Cameron
Wentworthville v North Sydney Bears, Sunday August 8, 3.00pm, Ringrose Park
1. Tom Humble
2. Ken Sio
3. Etu Uaisele
4. Jonathon Wright
5. Mark Hendy
6. Brendan Waters
7. Trent Rose
8. Mitchell Allgood
9. Anthony Mitchell
10. Blake Blackburn
11. Taniela Lasalo
12. Danny Howard
13. Tim Robinson (C)
INTERCHANGE
14. Nathan Armit
15. Pele Peletelese
16. Manase Manuokafoa
17. Peter Prime
Coach: Brett Kenny
Replies
Seeing if there smaller statures can handle competition with grown men. Love to see Loko get a crack before the year is out, physically I don't think he would have a problem at all, whether or not he was mentally up to the challenge would be the question, love to see it answered.
From everything I've ever heard Daniel Anderson say about Humble, he seems to have been impressed - and given our lack of depth in the halves going forward, I would suggest that you'd be trying to give Humble as much time and experience in that position as possible.
However, imagine if you felt comfortable you had secured a big-name half. You might be looking at Humble and saying well, he's not going to get a crack in the halves any time soon with said big name, Mortimer and Robson in front of him, whereas he's definitely our first-choice fill-in at fullback.
Just saying!
I've always been against the move of Jarryd to 5/8 because you lose his kick returns but at the moment, we're losing even more in support play with Jarryd playing in the line so often. If the plan is for Jarryd to be our number one playmaker, I now think it's inevitable that he move to 5/8.
Of course, a better solution is to just get a kick arse half so Jarryd can chime in selectively instead of every big play as he is having to do now.