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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:46:08 GMT 10
SUNDAY 14th April: Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium, 6.10pm
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:46:30 GMT 10
NRL.com
Raiders v Eels: Round 5 preview
What a difference a year makes.
This time last season the Raiders and Eels were languishing at the bottom of the ladder, and here they are 12 months later boasting identical 3-1 records and preparing to meet in the match of the round.
The Raiders were all business disposing of the slumping Cowboys last week and should return to a big home-town crowd on Sunday.
In the blue and gold corner are the Eels, who have clearly put last year's horror campaign behind them.
With both teams in good form, this has the potential to be a Sunday night cracker.
The Rundown
Key match-up
Some interesting battles all over the park with Michael Jennings against Joseph Leilua and rookie hooker Reed Mahoney facing off with one of the world's best in Josh Hodgson. But the crucial clash of halfbacks Sam Williams and Mitch Moses looms as the most intriguing. Williams has been rock-solid since returning to first grade in round three, while Moses has been on song all year for the Eels.
For the Raiders to win
Defence has been their primary focus since round one and the offence has flowed from those defensive efforts. Only the Storm (40) and Wests Tigers (43) have conceded less points than Canberra (44) and Ricky Stuart will be demanding more of the same on Sunday. The Raiders will have to be especially strong against damaging wingers Blake Ferguson and Maika Sivo.
For the Eels to win
Ferguson and new Fijian sensation Sivo will be counted upon to do their usual work to get the Eels out of their own half, while Moses and Mahoney need to play their part in driving Parra forward. The Raiders have shown they have a thirst for defence this year, so the Eels might not create as many scoring opportunities as they usually do and need to make the most of them when they arise.
Brett Kimmorley says
Parramatta played for 80 minutes last week, where the week before they played for about 60 against the Roosters. Parramatta play calm and composed, whereas with the Raiders you have Rapana and Leilua who can do anything at any time. The two No.9s, Reed Mahoney and Josh Hodgson, will turn on a great clash – the rookie verse the master. Raiders by 4
Raiders Stat Attack
Starving the opposition of possession has been one of the keys to the Raiders' early-season success. The Green Machine lead the NRL in possession at 54% and are also first in dummy-half runs (77). They rank third in tackle breaks (137) and fourth in post contact metres (1,933).
Eels Stat Attack
While it's no real surprise to see Blake Ferguson leading the NRL in run metres (880), sitting in second spot is teammate Clint Gutherson (826). Gutherson is also equal-first in line break assists (5) and Ferguson is second in post contact metres (245).
And another thing ...
On paper it would seem the Raiders have an edge in the hooker department but Josh Hodgson has a challenge on his hands against Reed Mahoney. The Eels rake racked up 59 tackles in the 24-12 defeat of the Sharks, while Hodgson led the way with 43 tackles in Canberra's win over the Cowboys and will be looking forward to his duel with Mahoney.
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:46:53 GMT 10
Team List: Eels v Raiders, Round Five
The Parramatta Eels NRL side to take on the Canberra Raiders in Round Five of the NRL Telstra Premiership has been named by Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur.
Coming off a 24-12 victory over the Sharks in Round Four, Arthur has named the same seventeen to travel to the nations capital for the clash.
David Gower returns from injury named on the reserves alongside Ray Stone, Josh Hoffman and Bevan French.
Eels centre Brad Takaraingi will play his 150th NRL Match.
Three grades will be in action at Canberra’s GIO Stadium with NRL kick off at 6:10pm with the Jersey Flegg clash at 1:50pm and Canterbury Cup clash at 3:55pm.
Parramatta Eels
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Jaeman Salmon
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Marata Niukore
13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange
14. Peni Terepo
15. Tim Mannah
16. Kane Evans
17. Oregon Kaufusi
18. David Gower
19. Ray Stone
20. Josh Hoffman
21. Bevan French
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:47:29 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:47:57 GMT 10
NRL.com
Raiders continue surge up ladder with shutout win over Eels
The Canberra Raiders have shown they are a team to be reckoned with this Telstra Premiership after earning their third win in a row, downing the Parramatta Eels 19-0 at GIO Stadium in front of 16,059 fans.
The win came at a cost for Canberra with Joe Tapine chaired from the field in the second half with a potentially serious ankle injury.
It's the latest blow for the Kiwi international who was playing in his return from injury, after being forced out for two weeks due to a thumb injury.
The loss for the Eels were further soured by the loss of Blake Ferguson, who left the field early in the second half with suspected broken ribs after early suffering a likely broken nose.
However, the win for the Raiders was set up by an exceptional effort in defence from the home side, who hunted as a pack and forced several turnovers by the Eels, who struggled to get out of their own half for much of the clash.
Canberra enjoyed a glut of possession early in the game as their forwards stormed through the middle third of the field as they set up camp in the Eels' danger zone however a cheap turnover released the pressure on the away side who survived unscathed.
Against the run of play, Raiders centre Jarrod Croker scooped up a loose ball to scoot 70 metres which set up the second line-drop out of the game as Canberra applied the blowtorch to the Eels line with Jack Wighton crashing over, only to be denied by a sensational effort from Brad Takairangi.
Parramatta looked a chance of opening the scoring when they spread the ball to their right edge which saw them race 90 metres only to see the play called back for a forward pass.
The Raiders continued to play flat at the line, but the Eels defence continued to hold firm despite the home side enjoying close to 60 per cent of possession throughout the first half.
The pressure finally told as Josh Papalii showed tremendous strength to carry two Eels defenders close to the line before he stretched out to plant the ball.
Croker added the easy extras and the home side enjoyed a 6-0 lead after 28 minutes.
Parramatta continued to be their own worst enemies at times in the first half, turning over early possession in the face of aggressive defence by the Raiders.
After being forced into their third goal-line drop-out for the half, the Eels were again penalised for slowing the play the ball and Croker added another two points to make it 8-0 in the shadows of half-time.
Ferguson received more treatment early in the second half after being swamped by three Raiders defenders after he fielded a bomb and after signalling to the trainer was soon taken from the field.
Another Eels turnover turned into a try-scoring opportunity as Elliott Whitehead pounced on a loose grubber kick to make it 12-0 in the 50th minute.
The home side continued to press its advantage mid-way through the second half, as Sam Williams placed a perfect chip kick to his halves partner, with Wighton soaring high and slamming it down to make it 18-0.
Michael Jennings looked dangerous in the 73th with a darting run close to the line, but was held up over the line by a desperate Raiders defence.
With just four minutes remaining Williams opted for some field goal practice to ice the 19-0 win.
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:48:43 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:49:25 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:49:55 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:50:26 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:51:06 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:51:41 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:52:15 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:52:51 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:53:21 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 14, 2020 18:53:54 GMT 10
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1981 1982 1983 1986 
