- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Eels
26
Match Complete
Rabbitohs
14
| M. Moses |  | 76 | ||
| 74 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| 73 |  | T. Tatola | ||
| J. Hoffman | | 60 | ||
| 55 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 55 | | T. Burgess | ||
| M. Moses | | 48 | ||
| M. Sivo | | 47 | ||
| M. Moses | | 36 | ||
| B. Ferguson | | 35 | ||
| M. Moses | | 32 | ||
| C. Gutherson | | 31 | ||
| M. Moses | | 26 | ||
| 16 | | A. Reynolds |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
Round 12 will see the Parramatta Eels host an Origin-depleted South Sydney Rabbitohs side at the beautiful new Bankwest Stadium, in what will be a great chance for the hosts to knock off one of the competition heavyweights. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog, starting from 7:55pm AEST.
The Eels are unaffected by Origin, although coach Brad Arthur has made a number of changes to the side, dropping Brad Takairangi, George Jennings, Daniel Alvaro and club legend Tim Mannah to the reserves, while Michael Jennings returns from injury at centre, shifting Blake Ferguson back to the wing.
The Rabbitohs in contrast to their opponents have named a very much second-string side, due to a combination of injuries and Origin outs.
The backline is the epitome of makeshift. Corey Allan is still deputizing for the injured Alex Johnston at fullback, while young Mawene Hiroti retains his place on the wing after a good outing against the Tigers last week.
Backrower Ethan Lowe will play right centre again this week, and will no doubt be targeted by his opposite speedy Michael Jennings. At left centre is Lebanese International Adam Doueihi, who is returning from an ACL injury.
Ideally he would have returned through reserve grade after such a long layoff, but Souths’ dire backline situation has forced coach Wayne Bennett to rush Doueihi straight into the NRL.
Campbell Graham on the left wing is the only first-choice member of the Souths backline.
In the halves it’s debutant Connor Tracey covering for Cody Walker, partnering Adam Reynolds with the miracle recovery after what looked like a serious knee injury against the Tigers last week.
Tracey has been going well in the Canterbury Cup and the club have had big wraps on him for a while – he certainly won’t disappoint on debut.
Canterbury Cup captain Billy Brittain is also on debut at hooker, covering for Damian Cook.
Brittain is a very similar player to Cook. He’s terrorized Canterbury Cup defences with his speed off the mark out of dummy half, and will be looking to do the same in the NRL off the back of any quick play-the-ball his forwards give him.
Junior Tatola has been named at lock to replace Cameron Murray, although don’t be surprised to see him start at prop in place of George Burgess who usually starts on the bench, with either Sam Burgess or Liam Knight likely to start at lock.
Finally, despite signing James Roberts on Wednesday, mail from the club is that he is no chance of playing this weekend, and will likely take his spot at right centre next week against the Knights.
Prediction
At full strength, Eels vs Rabbitohs is a no-brainer – Rabbitohs every day of the week.
However, with so many key players out for the Rabbitohs, this one shapes up as a very even contest.
The only thing consistent about the Eels this year is their inconsistency. Using that logic, the Eels should be up for a win this week – particularly at Bankwest where they’ve won 2/3 games.
The Rabbitohs may be below strength, but they’ve named some very capable replacements in key positions – particularly Connor Tracey and Billy Brittain. Not to mention that any side with Adam Reynolds and all 3 Burgess Brothers cannot be taken lightly.
The Eels can certainly win this. But I’m going to say Rabbitohs by 4, due to the fact that Wayne Bennett is an expert at navigating top sides through the Origin period.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:55pm AEST.
Where: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
When: 7:55pm
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Josh Hoffman 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Will Smith 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Kane Evans 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Manu Ma’u 13. Tepai Moeroa 14. Peni Terepo 15. Ray Stone 16. David Gower 17. Marata Niukore 18. Brad Takairangi 19. George Jennings 20. Tim Mannah 21. Daniel Alvaro
Rabbitohs
1. Corey Allen 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Ethan Lowe 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Campbell Graham 6. Connor Tracey 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Billy Brittain 10. Thomas Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Tevita Tatola 14. Bayley Sironen 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Dean Britt 17. Liam Knight 18. Keaon Koloamatangi 19. Jacob Gagan 20. Dean Hawkins
Hide Preview
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.