Daniel Anderson is standing by his struggling Parramatta side despite rumours a cull of the NRL underperformers was looming.
Several players, particularly long-serving captain Nathan Cayless, were reported to be on the verge of the axe after last weekend’s insipid 11-0 loss to the previously win-less Sharks.
That defeat left last year’s grand final runners-up with a 1-3 record this year but Anderson has named a largely unchanged team to play Canberra on Monday night.
Only veteran winger Luke Burt and backrower Ben Smith have been brought into the squad to take on the Raiders with Krisnan Inu and Justin Horo moving onto a six-man bench.
Anderson feels the return of Burt (knee) and Smith (ankle) from injury will add some much needed experience to the team.
“Luke Burt and Ben Smith will be worthy inclusions to the team as a couple of seasoned players added to the side,” Anderson said.
“We’re going through a bit of a rough trot so having those guys back in the team will add some stability to the side.”
The Raiders have named an extended bench as cover for forward Trevor Thurling, who was named by coach David Furner despite suffering a knee injury in last weekend’s loss to Wests Tigers.
“Trevor was unable to go back on the field on Sunday after hyper-extending his knee so we have a couple of options on the bench if he’s unable to play,” Furner said.
St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett has made just the one change from the team which lost 17-4 to Melbourne last week, with Nick Emmett replacing Ricky Thorby.
Young Dragons front-rower Trent Merrin will come onto a five-man bench for the visit of struggling Brisbane.
Bennett would barely recognise his former club’s line-up with Dale Copley and Dunamis Lui brought into the bottom-placed Broncos’ line-up.
They replace Ben Te’o and Antonio Winterstein after they were dropped for disciplinary reasons, with Josh Hoffman coming onto a five-man bench.
Melbourne have named an unchanged squad for their clash on the Gold Coast, with the Titans recalling Anthony Laffranchi from a lower-back injury in what will be Ashley Harrison’s 200th NRL match.
South Sydney have added Michael Crocker to the team which defeated Canterbury on Monday for their clash with Newcastle, while the Knights have named an unchanged side from that which lost to Penrith on Monday.
The Panthers have brought New Zealand forward Frank Pritchard into their starting line-up for Saturday’s visit by the Sydney Roosters.
Brian Smith has brought Jason Ryles onto the bench for the Roosters but has stuck by the starting 13 which defeated Brisbane on Friday night.
Queensland centre Brent Tate will captain the Warriors in their match against the Bulldogs after Micheal Luck was ruled out with injury, while Canterbury will give injured front rower Jarrad Hickey every opportunity to recover from a bruised lung suffered in Monday’s loss to South Sydney.
Former Manly prop Tim Browne will make his debut for the Bulldogs, whilst back rower Gary Warburton will return after a two week suspension.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens has named centre Blake Ayshford (knee) while awaiting results on a scan, with North Queensland sticking with the team which beat the Titans last weekend for Saturday’s match at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Manly and Cronulla have named virtually unchanged teams for their clash at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night, with the major change coming from the Sharks with Taulima Tautai brought in for the injured Luke Covell.
Rod
Guest
we'll be right, just need to fire up a lot more and get the mongrel back, they are playing without any agression and once that comes they start to offload, the eels will be fine. At the moment they don't look interested.
Springs
Roar Guru
Everyone knows that this current team can turn it around. The performance against the Sharks was the worst of the year, but they played alright during the Dragons and Eagles games. However certain papers and certain unfaithful eels supporters are calling for massive changes after three losses. Many have a look at the performance and say 'it's all Robson's fault', when it isn't, or 'Cayless should be dropped' when he shouldn't. Have some faith people!
Tinnie
Roar Rookie
The Eels are reknown slow starters, so i hope we pick up in a few rounds time, but as a fan it's quite frustrating. Growth Jr has been head and shoulders our best player this year, Inu has done much better than Tahu thus far so its a shame he's missing a spot. I think in the case of Hayne less is more, he is not a halfback. Hayne should never be the first option kicker within the opposition 20, i would give my left arm just to see Mortimer or Robson grubber behind the line for a try or repeat set, with so many handling errors any set we can get is gold.
Harry Callahan
Guest
Absolutely SPOT ON!!!
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Yep, the Eels have forgotten how to create second phase play which in my opinion was the main driver of their renaiisance last season. Hayne never produces on first phase play, it is always second phase when the defensive line is not set. The forwards need to learn how to get some off loads going so second phase is possible. I also believe that they miss Kevin Kingston more than they admit, I have never rated Keating as a dummy half but Kingston fitted into the Eels mix nicely and did a sound job.
Lu
Guest
It's a matter of the Eels believing their own hype.. Their run into the finals last year was off the back of the talented/flukey Hayne.. And then with everyone banging on about how awesome they are, they forgot to play rugby. I think it's going to be a long season for the Eels..
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Really it's just a matter of the team going back to basics. Simple game plans, and firing up the forward pack which has been disappointing this year. Guys like Hayne and Mortimer will always struggle behind a pack which isn't putting in.