Will the Parramatta Eels build on last week’s confidence-building win or will the South Sydney Rabbitohs make it seven straight victories? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:50pm AEST.
Parramatta remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder despite last week’s 20-14 win over the Cowboys, yet a victory this week could potentially see them draw level with three teams above them.
While coach Brad Arthur would have been pleased with his side’s effort, they were far from perfect, making 15 errors and conceding two tries within the final two minutes of the game.
A much better performance will be needed if they are to overcome the high-flying Rabbitohs. Mitchell Moses may make an early return from injury this week after being named in the extended squad.
South Sydney were also far from their best as they scrapped out a 18-16 win over the Titans. A 64 per cent completion rate saw them continually gift the Gold Coast prime field position yet they were strong enough in defence to hold on for the two-point win.
Anthony Seibold’s men are boosted by the return of their Origin quartet this week, while in other team news, Campbell Graham was omitted 24 hours before kick-off and will be replaced on the wing by Hymel Hunt.
Tip
The Eels may have taken down the Cowboys last week, yet on Thursday night they face an opposition in far better form.
Brad Arthur’s men will come crashing back down to earth against a much more potent Rabbitohs side motivated to better last week’s ill-disciplined effort.
Rabbitohs by 20.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:50pm AEST.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Steveng, I see what your saying however this whole Origin - players out / resting is a new concept for the Bunnies. Apart from GI they’ve never been in this situ before. Then you through in the Burgi heading to the US, it’s a real balancing act not to mention a rookie coach being at the helm. I think despite the indifferent form of the past couple of weeks, they’re doing a good job winning games under strength. One of the late Eels tries was very fortunate with the bounce so I don’t read too much into the late tries conceded. If you told me they would win 3 games during the Origin period I would take it everyday.
steveng
Roar Rookie
One other thing that i would like to mention is to congratulate the referees, for the minimal penalties awarded for (both sides) as there were only a total of 11 penalties awarded (1/2 the average) penalties for this season. Even though, at the start of the game, it looked like its going to be another 'penalty fest' but it didn't and the game was allowed to flow without any interruptions from the referees, good work!
steveng
Roar Rookie
It was a good win and a pretty comprehensive effort for some parts of this game by the Bunnies but, it took the Bunnies 20 min to get going (Parra completely outplayed them) in the majorly of that first half and its baffling to why in the last 15min, they just took the foot off the pedal? They have done this in other games and its not good enough, if they want to be competitive against the top sides of this comp. It’s positive that Seibold and GI have mentioned this but when are they going to do something about this? Their next game is against the Cows and we know how lucky they were to win that game (20-19) when they got that lucky penalty, right at the death.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Excellent second half from the Bunnies, Siebold doing a great job, whatever he said worked a treat. The Eels were good in the first half, once Souths got plenty of ball they scored some terrific tries. Walker was outstanding, Reyno very good although goal kicking needs work. AJ hitting the line is a great sight and well done R Jennings with 4 meat pies ! Souths pack weren’t at there best so room for improvement there. Hymel Hunt has an error in him every game. Take the 2 points before the Origin break.
Forty Twenty
Guest
I can't fathom how why so many players come off their man to tackle a player who is already accounted for thus creating a try out of nothing for the opposition. Both teams did it but the Eels excelled at it tonight. Jennings came in to help Inglis who wasn't even close to being under pressure and created a try for the Eels and left Inglis looking more than a bit cheesed off. Later in the game an Eel charged in too late to try and smack a player who already had three defenders on him and created a try for Alex Johnston . Great for the spectators but doesn't do much for team harmony.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
This is one scary Souths team (albeit against a defensively woeful Parramatta side) when you take into account: 1) Speed - they have A LOT of pace. 2) Their left-edge with Walker, Inglis, Jennings. 3) Reynolds' kicking game and spiraling bombs - just special tonight. 4) And of course their forward pack - which was off tonight. 5) Damien Cook who also had a quiet night.
Emcie
Roar Guru
and rested their stars early, could've got really ugly
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT: Robert Jennings scores four as the Rabbitohs pile on the points against Parramatta The Rabbitohs ran away 42-24 winners over the Eels on Friday night at ANZ Stadium to claim their seventh-straight victory in front of over 8,000 fans. Both supporter bases were treated to a try-scoring fest on Thursday night with a total of 13 tries scored between both sides. Many were expecting the Rabbitohs to run riot and while they did eventually, it was Parramatta who started off the more energetic of the two. The first try of the night came in the 4th minute when Josh Hoffman grounded a spilt Corey Norman bomb and the Eels had made the perfect start. However, off the restart Brad Arthur’s men quickly reminded us why they are currently sitting on the bottom of the ladder with just three wins to their name. Miscommunication between Manu Ma’u and Hoffman saw the ball spill over the sideline and a simple but well-executed play off the scrum resulted in a try to Robert Jennings. After a shaky start in defence, Parramatta responded five minutes later when quick hands from Clinton Gutherson saw George Jennings get one back on his brother. 10 minutes later Bevan French extended Parramatta’s lead to eight after Peni Terepo burst through the line and found the fullback in support. Just as it looked like the Eels were going to race away it, however, the Rabbitohs regained possession and took advantage of Parramatta’s fragile defence on two occasions before the break. The first saw Jennings grab a double off a similar set play to his opening try before a smart kick from Cody Walker ended in a speedy Alex Johnston pouncing on it and gifting his team a 16-14 lead at half time. Within a two-minute period in the second half the game was over. First, a perfect short ball from second rower Angus Crichton saw Johnston sprint away for his second before their lethal left-hand edge struck again on the following set. This time, Cody Walker stepped on the outside and found Greg Inglis in support who simply passed it on to Jennings and the winger had a hattrick in his brother Michael’s 250th NRL game. Six minutes later South Sydney had their sixth try of the night when Hymel Hunt showed great strength and agility to power over in the corner. Jennings made it four for the night soon after when he crossed over off another perfectly executed left-hand play. It was beginning to get embarrassing for Parramatta, who had had little to no ball in the second half. All of South Sydney’s tries had come from their speedy outside backs. However, Thomas Burgess halted that trend in the 65th minute when he barged over under the posts. That is where the points dried up for South Sydney, with a fortunate bounce off a French chip seeing Jarryd Hayne go over for his third try in two games. Soon after Hoffman had his second of the night after Norman sent him over in the corner. A late penalty goal saw Adam Reynolds extend his side’s lead to 18 and that was where it would remain, with the Rabbitohs running away 42-24 victors. While South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold would have been pleased with his team’s electric attack, their complacency in defence will certainly be a concern. Nevertheless, the Rabbitohs have temporarily moved onto top spot on the ladder with their seventh-straight win while the Eels remain anchored to last place.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Souths are going well but how do you rate a team against that terrible defence of Parramatta. Luckily the Bunnies took a while to find their mojo or the score would have been a whopper.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - EELS 24 RABBITOHS 42 Well that was arguably the most entertaining game of the year! 13 tries in total - it was clear defence wasn't the priority at times for either side but Souths blew Parramatta off the park in the second half to storm to an 18-point win. Full wrap to come! What did you make of that Roarers? Are Souths the best team in the competition? They temporarily move to top spot with the big win.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
79' - RABBITOHS PENALTY GOAL SUCCESSFUL Adam Reynolds EELS - 24 RABBITOHS - 42
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Agree - their attack is the best in the league by far though. Of course Parramatta's defence has made them look good tonight but still explosive stuff from the Bunnies.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
78' - Adam Doueihi pulled back by Michael Jennings as he looks to take a nicely weighted Adam Reynolds bomb and Souths get a late penalty. Reynolds will shoot for two. EELS - 24 RABBITOHS - 40
Peter
Guest
To be fair, almost certainly not just Bunnies fans :-)
JN
Guest
Well, Parramatta have done it again. They have turned a winnable game into an unwinnable one. I wonder if Brad Athur sometimes ponders if the best thing to do is just leave. I dont think it is his fault, i think the team itself doesn't trust one another in defence, as shown by defenders constantly marking men they dont have to and rushing out of the line for no apparent reason. Also, they make way too much errors. Even though they beat the cowboys, parramatta have truly been the worst team this year, and certain players should just get the drop, if not most of them.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Not much discipline frim the Bunnies letting these tries in, they will have to do better against the top sides. Very disappointing.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
76' - EELS CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Clinton Gutherson The scoreline could be 48-30 if all goals were kicked! Crazy stuff! EELS - 24 RABBITOHS - 40
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
75' - EELS TRY Josh Hoffman A very nice right side raid sees Corey Norman take it up to the line and cut it out to Hoffman who slides over! EELS - 24 RABBITOHS - 40
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
74' - Parramatta receive a relieving penalty and are just 40 out on the first play. They grab another penalty now... seemingly for a late shot. The Eels can't land the final blow in the set and on the last play Corey Norman puts in a great kick but Cody Walker is there to take it and Souths work it out from their own end. Nathan Brown off for the Eels with an arm or wrist injury. Meanwhile, the kick on the last rebounds and Parramatta have a full set 30 out. EELS - 20 RABBITOHS - 40
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
70' - A great set after points from Parramatta with the kick on the last from Corey Norman trapping Souths 10 out from their own line. A settled set from South Sydney and the spiralling bomb from Adam Reynolds is taken well by a falling George Jennings. These kicks have been special from Reynolds! EELS - 20 RABBITOHS - 40