A dangerous Parramatta have almost seamlessly adapted to life without Jarryd Hayne, according to Canterbury coach Des Hasler.
The Eels didn’t miss the new San Francisco 49ers rookie Hayne in their impressive 42-12 round one thumping of Manly last Friday.
They face the Bulldogs on Friday night at ANZ Stadium and Hasler is wary of what the new-look Eels produced first-up in 2015.
“The Eels made the most of their opportunities (last week), the first half was very tight, that second half certainly swung their way,” Hasler said.
“They are a dangerous side, they are playing with a lot of energy.
“There’s no doubt that Jarryd Hayne if he was in that side, he would add another dimension to it.
“But the players that they have there are another year older, another year wiser.
“They have some very established players there, (Anthony) Watmough, Will Hopoate, Chrissy Sandow …
“The rest of it is just gelling in all those young guys which creates a lot of enthusiasm.”
Hasler faces an attacking dilemma of his own this week, after five-eighth Josh Reynolds broke his arm in the Dogs’ season opening loss to Penrith on Sunday.
Utility Moses Mbye, who filled in for the injured Michael Ennis in the Bulldogs’ grand final loss last season, will partner Trent Hodkinson in the halves.
“He is a really cool fella, really cool under pressure, he works hard,” Hasler said.
“In saying that he is quite young but he handles those roles well.
“He certainly handled the dummy half role well last year in one of the biggest games on the calendar.”
Parramatta are without forward Junior Paulo after he was outed for nine weeks by the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night for a dangerous throw on Manly rake Matt Ballin.
Danny Wicks comes onto the Eels bench for Paulo for his first NRL game in five years, after he served an 18-month jail sentence for dealing drugs.
Canterbury vs Parramatta key Stats
* Canterbury have won seven of the last eight matches against Parramatta dating back to 2011
* Parramatta are chasing their 700th win since entering the premiership in 1947
* The Eels won just four away games last year, only the Cowboys, Knights and Sharks were worse, winning three each
* The Bulldogs have not lost the opening two matches to start a season since 2010
* Canterbury have won 49 of 77 games (64 per cent) of games with injured playmaker Josh Reynolds, compared to five of 11 (46 per cent) when he is missing
Source: Fox Sports Stats
George
Guest
Reece Robinson has been mentioned in the media more often in the past month than he was in a few years at the Raiders. Is he Hayne's replacement. If you are on the fence take a look at the performance he handed in on Friday night. He ran backwards at least 10 metres on two occasions. He will not tackle unless forced to. He will jog in the background while his more inexperienced and lighter teammates run into brick walls. He has fooled a fair few people, but just keep an eye out, and you will have a little giggle (unless he's on YOUR team). I know I would do just the same stuff he does, trying to avoid collisions, but he's playing a very tough game. And the lighter and smaller you are, the more tough you need to be just to be out there. I'm not sure how Reece gets away with it.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Cowboys had most of their away games quite early in the season (or during origin) when they were very shoddy even at home. Their last 4 non-finals away games were a 1 point loss to Penrith and 3 wins (2 over the eventual grand finalists). Is the problem fixed? I don't know, I think it's more that they struggle to get a good start based on a few years of history.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Cowboys only won three away games last year? I thought winning away was no longer a problem for the Cows?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Those are Andrew Johns like statistics for J Reynolds...