Benny Elias and Ricky Stuart trade Mitchell Moses barbs ahead of Eels-Raiders NRL semi-final
Ricky Stuart has piled the pressure on Eels halfback Mitchell Moses to back up a bold claim from his uncle, Benny Elias, about Parramatta’s chances against the Raiders.
Benny Elias has declared his nephew Mitchell Moses’s inclusion in Parramatta’s side for Friday night’s NRL semi-final has made the Eels “certainties” to defeat the Raiders.
But his comments have prompted an immediate and strong response from Canberra coach Ricky Stuart, who fired back that the Eels halfback now gets the chance to prove that he can “perform under pressure” and show “why he is on so much money”.
Elias, the former Balmain, NSW and Test hooker, was unequivocal in his belief that Moses would lead the Eels to victory.
Moses was passed fit to play on Thursday after completing stringent protocol tests and training without issue at Parramatta’s captain’s run on Wednesday evening.
Elias had no issue with his nephew playing a week after a sickening head knock sustained against Penrith.
“Mitch is the man,” said Elias, who played 234 games for Balmain and 22 State of Origin matches for NSW.
“There was no way in the world they could have won without him.
“Now that he’s playing, Parramatta are certainties. And I’m a mate of ‘Sticky’ (Stuart). Mitch will make the difference on Friday night. He will make a massive difference.
“When Mitch was replaced last weekend, they weren’t the same side. James Tedesco came off for the Roosters and they weren’t the same side. It was the same.
“Mitch almost touches the ball more than the nine (dummy half). He directs the play, he’s the kicker, goalkicker, the tactician … there’s no one more important than tha
With Moses a confirmed starter, Parramatta are $1.52 favourites, according to TAB, with Canberra $2.55 outsiders.
“It puts massive, massive pressure on Mitch but he doesn’t mind pressure, he actually encourages it,” Elias said.
“Big players, big games, mate. And you’ll see that on Friday night.”
Stuart fired back when approached on Thursday night, adding some spice ahead of the massive semi-final at CommBank Stadium.
“Well, if that makes them certainties then he (Moses) gets his chance now to stand up and show his Uncle Benny that he can do it, perform under pressure,” Stuart said.
“That’s what all the best halves do and why he is on so much money to win these games for his team.”
Elias said he spoke with Moses on Wednesday about the after effects of the head knock he suffered trying to tackle Viliame Kikau during Parramatta’s 27-8 loss to Penrith last week.
“He’s 100 per cent,” Elias said. “I’m not worried at all. He was positive and the medical team was positive.
“He is mentally and physically fine. There won’t be an issue. I think the game is doing a lot to protect players.”
Even as early as Monday, Moses indicated he was ready to play the Raiders.
“I feel good,” Moses said. “Obviously it didn’t look too good. I got my head in the wrong spot and was out cold. I didn’t really have any (symptoms).
“I actually wanted to go back out onto the field. Obviously with how it was, it didn’t look too good so I obviously couldn’t.”
Replies
I agree with the backdoor bandit here, we will beat the raiders tonight and so we should, they finished well below us on the ladder.
There record over the last 12 games of the year is as good as any ones. Certainly not a sure win
In Canberra's last 12 games, the beat the likes of Wests, Warriors, Titans, Newcastle, St George, Manly... Granted, they beat Melbourne twice, but so did Parramatta. They got flogged by an under-strength Penrith. Other than Melbourne, Canberra have not beaten a top 8 side since they beat Easts in round 13. Other than the games against Melbourne and Penrith, Canberra have had an incredibly easy run in the back half of the season.
True hope the form holds up
Yes heard this morning the only top 8 team they beat was Melbourne, hardly convincing to be fair.
Why in God's name do morons like Elias feel the need to add even more pressure to an already high pressure
STFU BENNY
Yes I'm fucking nervous as hell already, I might have to watch this from the hospital just in case.
Lol
Benny is the tigers version of Ray Price .
Benny had the luxury of having a lot more working Brain cells then Price and a wealthy family so he avoided being a bus driver .
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