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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:54:18 GMT 10
FRIDAY 29th March: Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.05pm
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:54:44 GMT 10
NRL.com
Eels v Roosters: Jennings back; Cronk and Friend return
Both teams enter this game on a winning note, but it's the Eels rather than the Roosters who are unbeaten.
Despite the absence of key players and a poor start against the Bulldogs, Parra came from behind to claim a convincing victory.
The Eels are already a third of the way toward their six wins in 2018 and appear to be a much tighter unit than they were this time last year.
The Roosters bounced back from a first-round loss to Souths with a clinical win over Manly, though they seemed to clock off 10 minutes early and let the Sea Eagles get closer than they should have.
Still, it was a solid overall performance without key regulars Cooper Cronk and Jake Friend, and Trent Robinson will hope to build on that on Friday night.
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: The unbeaten Eels have rushed Michael Jennings straight back into the starting side after his suspension. He replaces Josh Hoffman, who is named among the reserves with George Jennings and Peni Terepo..
Roosters: Key changes for the Chooks, with Cooper Cronk returning at halfback for Lachlan Lam and Jake Friend back at hooker. Victor Radley shifts back to lock, while Matt Ikuvalu replaces Brett Morris (knee injury) on the wing. Isaac Liu and Angus Crichton drop to the bench, with Trent Robinson opting to start veteran Mitch Aubusson. Lam is among the reserves and Lindsay Collins was dropped.
Key match-up
They may not be directly opposed but Blake Ferguson and Latrell Mitchell will no doubt be chatting to each other every chance they get. Ferguson has been in superb form in the opening rounds and would love to claim bragging rights in his first clash with his former teammate.
For the Eels to win
Parra didn't panic when they fell behind early last week and came back strongly to claim a comfortable win. But they can't afford a slow start against the premiers. Ferguson will be looking to have a big game, while Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown have to be at their best against two of the best in the business.
For the Roosters to win
If the Eels let Luke Keary have his way like he did with Manly last week they will be fighting an uphill battle. The Roosters were good last week but need to cut out the mistakes. As long as they don't under-estimate the Eels, the Chooks should have too much firepower all over the park.
Brett Kimmorley says ...
With the way Luke Keary is playing, no Cooper Cronk doesn’t seem to matter all that much right now. Their forwards are great and they leak minimal points defensively. Keary’s ability to take his game to a whole new level is really exciting to watch. With Parra, I’ve really liked Reed Mahoney. He’s a really smart dummy half and defensively he is really tough. His decision making when he runs the football is terrific. I look forward to Reed Mahoney and Dylan Brown up against the premiers. Roosters by 2
Eels Stat Attack
Ferguson has quickly won over Parra fans with his ability to get the Eels going forward. Ferguson leads the NRL in run metres (458) and is equal-second in post-contact metres (128). Brad Takairangi has also been effective and leads the competition in off-loads (8).
Roosters Stat Attack
Keary is equal-first with Adam Reynolds in try assists (4) and Mitchell is the only player in the NRL to have a 40/20 kick after two rounds. Surprisingly James Tedesco has the most handling errors (5) and the Roosters have the most handling errors as a team (25).
And another thing ...
Brad Arthur deserves a wrap for getting the Eels in the right frame of mind to start the season. Parra aren't expected to figure in top eight calculations this year, but while there's a long, long way to go, the early signs are good for Arthur. A Friday night battle with the Roosters should tell us if the Eels are legit or not.
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:55:07 GMT 10
Team List: Eels v Roosters, Round Three
The Parramatta Eels line up to take on the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on Friday 29 March in Round Three of the NRL Telstra Premiership has been named by Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur.
Following a 36-16 victory over the Bulldogs, Arthur has made one change to his starting side with Michael Jennings returning from suspension, shifting Josh Hoffman to the extended bench alongside Oregon Kaufusi, Peni Terepo and George Jennings.
Kick off is at 7:55pm.
Parramatta Eels
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Marata Niukore
13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange
14. Jaeman Salmon
15. Tim Mannah
16. Kane Evans
17. David Gower
18. Oregon Kaufusi
19. Peni Terepo
20. Josh Hoffman
21. George Jennings
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:56:22 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:57:09 GMT 10
NRL.com
Tedesco sizzles as Roosters defy injuries to down Eels
The premiers beat the wooden spooners at ANZ Stadium on Friday night but you wouldn't know it from the quality of the contest, with an impressive Eels running the Roosters hard until the very end of an eventual 32-18 loss.
There were six lead changes through the 80 minutes as the Eels proved their early wins over Penrith and Canterbury were no fluke, while the Roosters reasserted their dominance despite injuries to and absences of key players.
With halfback Cooper Cronk (hamstring) ruled out pre-game, Jake Friend (shoulder) taken off in the first half and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (rib) in the second, the Roosters still managed to finish a spirited contest with al the momentum on the back of a James Tedesco masterclass.
The NSW Origin fullback was in everything in both defence and attack, cleaning up kicks, returning the ball with venom and scoring two tries of his own and setting another up while busting 11 tackles.
Despite falling away in the final 15 minutes, the Eels can take plenty of heart from having competed so strongly with the Telstra Premiership favourites.
They suffered an early drama when lock Tepai Moeroa strained a calf in the warm-up, meaning Peni Terepo was pushed into the starting side and Oregon Kaufusi called up on the bench.
It didn't put them off their game though as they exploded out of the blocks, boosted by three early penalties against the Roosters. A lovely ball from prop Junior Paulo created the space for Brad Takairangi to put ex-Rooster Blake Ferguson over untouched in just the sixth minute.
An error straight after points invited the Roosters back into the contest and Tedesco powered over shortly after.
A brace of Latrell Mitchell penalty goals in the 18th and 31st minutes edged the Roosters ahead but they were dealt a blow shortly after when Friend was taken from the field with a burner to his left shoulder.
As they had in the first half the Eels started the second with all the running and hard-running winger Maiko Sivo bagged his first try when he beat three in the left corner off a precise Clint Gutherson cut-out ball to reclaim the lead.
It was the first of four lead changes in 15 minutes as Mitch Aubusson reclaimed the advantage from an acrobatic Daniel Tupou tap-back before Sivo steamrolled over Matt Ikuvalu for his double.
A Ferguson error straight after points set the Roosters back on the attack and Victor Radley burrowed over from dummy half to reclaim the lead at 20-18 with 17 minutes to play.
The Roosters, who had for stretches looked out on their feet, found their energy and launched a few attacking raids at the Eels line.
Tedesco crossed but was denied by a Luke Keary forward pass but he laid on a try assist of his own when he put Siosiua Taukeiaho over next to the posts to blow the lead out to eight points with 12 to play – the first time either side had led by more than six.
Tedesco sealed the result with another powerful individual try, carving through a tired Eels left edge in the 72nd minute to seal the 32-18 win.
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:57:48 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:58:22 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:59:02 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 15:59:40 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 16:00:24 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 16:00:56 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 16:01:33 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 16:02:08 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 16:03:02 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 13, 2020 16:03:44 GMT 10
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1981 1982 1983 1986 
