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Post by Electric Eel on May 26, 2020 19:52:26 GMT 10
February 21: Eels v Rabbitohs, Wentworthville, 7pm
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Post by Electric Eel on May 26, 2020 19:52:58 GMT 10
NRL.com
Eels v Rabbitohs: RCG to make club debut; Bunnies invest in youth
Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been named to make his club debut for the Eels in Friday night's trial against the Rabbitohs at Ringrose Park in Wentworthville.
The marquee front-row recruit headlines a 25-man squad that also includes Nathan Brown, Michael Jennings, Shaun Lane, Reed Mahoney, Kane Evans and David Gower.
Campbell-Gillard, who is returning from an elbow cleanout, is expected to be on the park for around a quarter of the hitout.
The likes of Mitch Moses, Ryan Matterson, Clint Gutherson and Maika Sivo have been rested after playing at the NRL Nines last weekend.
While South Sydney are technically fielding a Canterbury Cup squad, a smattering of NRL-calibre talent including Corey Allan, Tom Burgess, Junior Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi, Patrick Mago, Hame Sele and Edene Gebbie will don the cardinal and myrtle.
The rundown
Squads
Parramatta Eels: Daniel Alvaro, Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Rhys Davies, Levi Dodd, Haze Dunster, Elie El-Zakhem, Kane Evans. John Fonua, David Gower, George Jennings, Michael Jennings, Oregon Kaufusi, Brad Keighran, Shaun Lane, Eli Levido, Reed Mahoney, Makahesi Makatoa, Marata Niukore, Ethan Parry, Jaeman Salmon, Will Smith, Ray Stone, Peni Terepo, Stefano Utoikamanu
South Sydney Rabbitohs (Canterbury Cup): 1. Corey Allan 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Steven Marsters 4. Cory Denniss 5. Edene Gebbie 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Blake Taaffe 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Joshua Cook 10. Junior Tatola 11. Patrick Mago 12. Jack Johns 13. Keaon Koloamatangi. Interchange: 1. Ben Talty 2. Hame Sele 3. Jack Quinn 4. James Tautaiolefua 5. Patrice Siolo 6. Brad Zampech 7. Bronson Garlick 1. Jacob Gagai 2. Nick Mougios 3. Matt French 4. Trent Peoples
Parramatta Eels: Centre Waqa Blake is pushing for round one as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction. Blake Ferguson and Brad Takairangi are on All Stars duty.
Casualty ward
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Ethan Lowe's knee injury suffered at the Nines has him in doubt for round one. Liam Knight (foot) and Kurt Dillon (calf/hamstring) aren't expected to play until the Charity Shield against the Dragons. Cody Walker pulled out of the All Stars match as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction, while Mark Nicholls (shoulder) isn't due to play until round one. Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts, Alex Johnston and Bryson Goodwin are on All Stars duty.
The big question
Parramatta Eels: Will the Eels hit the ground running? Expectations are heavy on Parramatta after their impressive 2019 season. With a settled team, plus the additions of Matterson and Campbell-Gillard, they look like heavyweights on paper. Trials aren't the be-all and end-all, of course, but we'll get an insight into Parramatta's all-important depth in the trials.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Who will fill out the forward pack? South Sydney's backline is stacked but they're a touch light on big men following the departures of John Sutton, Sam Burgess and George Burgess. There's a great chance for players like Patrick Mago, Keaon Koloamatangi and Hame Sele (who is on a train-and-trial contract) to grab a jumper.
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Post by Electric Eel on May 26, 2020 19:53:26 GMT 10
Official Eels website
Eels edged out by Souths in pre-season trial
A largely reserve-grade South Sydney side has edged out a stronger Parramatta line-up 28-24 at Ringrose Park on Friday night, with England international Tom Burgess leading the way.
In each club's first 13-a-side hit-out of 2020, the Eels went in with a far stronger side, naming nine of their likely round one 17 and a total of 16 players with NRL experience. The Rabbitohs had just Tom Burgess of their likely round one team involved, and just five with NRL experience.
Wayne Bennett used the trial to put some very big minutes into Burgess, with the England international crashing over for a second-half try.
Corey Allan, Jack Johns and Josh Cook were among the impressive performers for the Rabbitohs while former Dragon Hame Sele, on a train-and-trial deal, has done his hopes of a more formal contract no harm with a powerful stint.
The Eels also unveiled new signing Jai Field, who has joined the club on a train-and-trial deal and played the second half at fullback. The former Dragon had a tough night, being caught out of position a couple of times and struggling under the high ball.
With only Reed Mahoney of the side's first-grade playmakers involved, Rhys Davies and Jaeman Salmon each produced some nice touches.
The Eels dominated early with the help of stinging charges from the likes of Marata Niukore, Kane Evans and Shaun Lane.
They were camped down the South Sydney end for almost the entirety of the opening 10 minutes and the pressure eventually told with young fullback John Fonua crossing in the 11th minute.
Souths got a result from an ugly restart that bounced over Ethan Parry and a big Sele charge was instrumental in setting up the get-square from Jack Johns.
The Eels made plenty of changes at the quarter-time break while Souths lost Cory Denniss who stayed down hurt but was able to walk off.
Haze Dunster crossed out wide for the Eels straight after the resumption from a nice Reed Mahoney grubber.
Re-signed veteran Michael Jennings showed he hasn't lost his pace and swerve with a nice solo try to make it 14-6 after 28.
A nice grubber from Souths hooker Josh Cook was pounced on by Corey Allan to keep it close at 14-12 after 35 minutes.
A spilled bomb from Fonua handed Souths a free set with winger Jaxson Paulo cashing in on an overlap to give Souths the lead for the first time, taking their 18-14 advantage to half-time.
Brad Arthur pulled most of his first-grade squad during the break but left a few forwards out to build their minutes and it was Oregon Kaufusi who reclaimed the lead with a big charge at the line.
An Eels error on the first handed Souths a chance with Corey Allen setting up Paulo for his second and reclaiming the lead at 22-20 after 54 minutes.
Souths went further ahead when Field was caught out of position on a 40/20 kick and Tom Burgess crashed over right on the three-quarter drinks break.
A scoreless final quarter was in the offing until a late four-pointer to Makahesi Makatoa but it wasn't enough to avert a 28-24 loss.
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