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 |
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
stevesyd
Roar Rookie
For sure if they keep playing sides with 9 players missing.
stevesyd
Roar Rookie
Souths just need to finish anywhere in the top 4 and with a full strength side will secure premiership no 22. Will be a repeat performance of 2014 when smashed both semis and then the GF.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Never!
steveng
Roar Rookie
Give up Insider!
steveng
Roar Rookie
HaHaaa 'Parra are back' against a reserve grade Bunnies side, lets see how the Eels will pan out this season? They wont meet the Bunnies again but and when they do, this score line wont be the same, I will guarantee you that!
Big Daddy
Guest
Any John Grisham movie is excellent.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Playing with an injury from last week no doubt. Just as Doueihi was forced back from injury a week or two early without a run in lower grades after a 10 month plus layoff. A necessity of the times. Even Connor Tracey was in doubt with a shoulder injury which he carried into the game. I'm just surprised that Tom Amone didn't get a run (unless he is injured). I would start him ahead of Nicholls or Britt. It's good that some of the younger players got an opportunity and none of them let Souths down although Billy Brittain seemed a little overwhelmed at times and had a rush of blood on a few occasions. Tracey was sublime running the ball but still needs to work on his playmaking and linking with supports and his defensive reads. That said, he needs to be included in the 17 going forward and fill in for Cook at dummy half.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
He and I know the truth about who blocked who and why and who is all butthurt about it, that's all that matters danielle. Look at the history over the last few weeks and you will see he has been following me from posts to post and forum to forum like a lost puppy just as you once did "Alex Forrest" ("Fatal Attraction").
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Ah, the BYE. I forgot about that. I thought the Storm still had a game up their sleeve. Fair enough, equal on the ladder with the Storm on competition points but 2nd on points differential then. Origin was always going to be a speed bump to slow Souths down mid-season and there is still the chance that Roberts will replace Josh Morris, the old warhorse, for game 2. I tipped the Eels (against my heart) because, with 8 players missing and playing the Eels at Bankwest stadium everything favoured the Eels. Well done to the Eels and their fans and congrats to eels47, "mighty" and Billy in particular. Peter, I am right btw. Souths have still not lost with a "full strength side in 80 mins of regular time". Look it up and you will see I am right. It may be semantics but it's factual semantics. ;-)
The Barry
Roar Guru
Reynolds doesn’t look fully fit...he was holding his leg and back at different stages.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Oh, I hadn’t thought of that…that’s a great idea…
Insider
Roar Rookie
Tonight showed exactly what Souths are made of, nought, you still had rep and internationals in your line up and failed miserably, the Bulldogs would kill for a forward line up like Souths had! And the worlds biggest cat winger princess Boyle. Had cook played last night you still don’t win, walker has carried your side! StG, Manly, Sharks, Easts and Tigers have had to deal with injuries to key players and managed! You got a taste of what’s coming in September
Insider
Roar Rookie
Shhhhhh I what him to stay delusional Choo Choo Choo Choo outa my way
Peter Piper
Guest
Have to say that I hate what Origin does to our domestic competition. All the tension building, teams gaining some momentum then amateur hour. Turns me right off and it takes long after Origin finishes for me get my enthusiasm back. Love Origin itself but can't we find another way ?
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
You’ve already said that, Papi. Why not say it again in case we missed it the first time? And how many teams haven’t played “at full-strength” every single week? But, ya know, keep up your own creative ladder if it makes you feel better about your losses.
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
A touchy response to an entirely fair comment by Insider. He’s right. You are obviously still a bit sore about all those unreturned phone calls from “someone [you] trusted.”
Peter Piper
Guest
Sorry Papi but you can't ignore the facts. You are not undefeated because you have just lost and the fact that you have players out matters zilch. Secondly, The Melbourne Storm are in top place having a better points difference than Souths. Time you ditched the rose coloured glasses and saw things as they really are.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Massive win? Hardly. With 8 players out for the Rabbits including 3 players from their spine, a back rower playing in the centres and Doueihi just back without any football in over 10 months and a FB who is slow and ponderous and MIA defending and covering the ball near Souths goal line the Eels should have put 20+ on Souths. In the end they could only win by 12 points over a semi-reserve grade side. A good win for the Eels but hardly massive when you look at the scoreline and the team lists.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Never happens to Souths" Zźzzzzzzzzzzzz
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Damn! Simultaneous posts. "Big Bird" must have beat me by only seconds.