Stepping into the breach...Tom Humble will play fullback for Parramatta against the Sharks.
HE IS the one-game NRL rookie charged with filling the biggest boots in the game this weekend.
Tom Humble, who made his first-grade debut against the Sea Eagles on Monday night, was yesterday named at fullback for the Eels in place of Origin star Jarryd Hayne.
Daniel Anderson switched Humble from five-eighth to the No. 1 jersey for Saturday's clash with Cronulla.And while the Eels coach says there is no expectation on the 21-year-old North Queensland junior to emulate Hayne's exploits, he expects the likes of Daniel Mortimer, Kris Keating and Feleti Mateo to ignite the team's attack in the absence of their star fullback.
Anderson has implored young playmakers Mortimer and Keating to pick up the slack this week.
Hayne was at his dominant best in Parramatta's 19-12 win over Manly at Brookvale Oval, setting up all three tries with brilliant passes.
But while his input has been a key to the side's four back-to-back wins, it also shows the Eels's reliance on their mercurial custodian to spark the attack.
While Anderson insists Hayne's absence will not alter the game plan, he said other players had to lift.
"Jarryd obviously had a wonderful game [against Manly] and he creates [so much], but other people are just going to have to step up and have a bit more responsibility this week," Anderson said.
"We've got players that have got probably a bit in their tank to go forward as far as their responsibility is concerned, so I'm not too fazed about it."
Quizzed about Mortimer and Keating, Anderson replied: "Morts and Kris are both starting to get more comfortable in their own skins and the context of the team, and I'm sure they've got more that they can offer and they will."
Recruited from the Cowboys specifically to fill in for Hayne during Origin, Humble debuted at five-eighth against Manly, replacing late scratching Keating, and was unlucky to be denied a spectacular try when he was ruled to have been tackled into touch by Jamie Lyon.
With Keating returning, Anderson had no hesitation in switching the youngster to fullback yesterday.
The Eels coach has also recalled Eric Grothe to the right wing for the first time since injuring his knee in round two, while Krisnan Inu replaces Origin-bound Timana Tahu at centre. Rookie outside back Jonathan Wright was added to the bench.
Anderson said Humble showed on debut that he could handle the rise into the NRL.
"He's got a high energy and has a good nose for the instinct of the game and where the ball is going to end up," he said.
"He also has great support play and a lovely pass.
"We recruited him with the express aim to fill in at fullback when Jarryd was in Origin, but obviously he is now bringing more to the table than we anticipated."
Replies
Ando made Lowrie and Robson into good players when we were bagging them at the beginning of last year. Great coach he is. I trust any decision he makes. Him persisting and trusting Humble to be a good player for us excites me because I know Ando sees something we all dont yet.
Would humble be content to play with wenty once grothe returns from injury, Hayne from Origin? Given they have brought him down im sure they wouldnt be releasing him any time soon.
Looking at the positions Humble could cover - fullback, wing, 5/8 & 1/2.
Fullback : we have the form fullback, arguably best in the world.
Wing : they way the games played you need at least 1 huge imposing winger to help ruck the ball up from stoppages etc. Luke Burt is in great form.
5/8 : Kris Keating has found form and free of ijury, strunk good combination with mortimer, desrves a chance to establish himself but remains unsigned at the moment.
1/2: Mortimer is going from strength to strength - kicking game needs some work though. wont be dropped because of this though.
At the moment the only person who he could possibly replace would be Matt Keating - playing humble at hooker would be a sure way to ruin his body and confidence.
Hooker : Robson going pretty well. robust in defence. service to halved pretty good. Physical tolls of playing hooker would be devasting on a unconditioned body. Matt Keating is developing his game as well and maybe not coming along as fast enough for some people but get there.
Looking at the big picture would you offload someone who could cover 4 or 5 postions or a budding 1/2 or 5/8 who is yet unsigned?