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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:27:44 GMT 10
FRIDAY 31st May: Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium, 7.55pm
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:28:09 GMT 10
NRL.com
Eels v Rabbitohs: Arthur drops four; Reynolds named in spare parts side
The Rabbitohs chalked up their 10th win of the season last week, overcoming the loss of halfback Adam Reynolds during the game.
Reynolds could end up sitting out this game to be on the safe side, but his leg injury wasn't as bad as he initially feared and he will do everything he can to be fit, especially with the Bunnies losing four players to Origin.
They've handled being without key players all season but this Round 12 encounter will test their depth like no other game thus far.
The Eels are officially in a slump, losing four of their past five games.
On the plus side they have no players on Origin duty, allowing Brad Arthur to pick his strongest side available.
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Brad Arthur has taken a hard line after last week's shock loss to Penrith, dropping Tim Mannah, Brad Takairangi, Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings to the reserves. Michael Jennings is back at right centre, Josh Hoffman moves to right centre, while Blake Ferguson is back on the wing. Kane Evans has been named to start at prop, Manu Ma'u shifts from lock to back row, Marata Niukore drops to the bench, while Tepi Moeroa is back from concussion and is the new starting lock. Parra have lost three straight.
Rabbitohs: Not surprisingly, the Bunnies have been affected by Origin. Adam Doueihi comes in at centre for Maroon Dane Gagai and Connor Tracey will debut at five-eighth in place of the Blues' Cody Walker. The hooking role will be filled by another debutant, Billy Brittain, while Junior Tatola has been named at lock to cover for Blues debutant Cameron Murray. Bayley Sironen has been elevated to the bench. The Rabbitohs have won 10 of their 11 games.
Key match-up
Shaun Lane earned rave reviews when the Eels were winning but he's cooled off like the rest of his team over the past month. The lanky back-rower can expect a torrid battle with Bunnies brute Sam Burgess and a clash with the competition leaders is as good a time as any to to get back to his best form.
For the Eels to win
After three straight losses this weekend is huge for Parra and could make or break their season. The forwards need to stand up in a big way against Burgess and the rest of the hard-running Souths pack, while Mitch Moses and and Clint Gutherson have to start firing on all cylinders again and put their stamp on the game.
For the Rabbitohs to win
With four players named for the Origin opener and Adam Reynolds under an injury cloud, this will be the Bunnies' toughest test yet. Whoever Wayne Bennett selects has big shoes to fill, so it'll be up to Sam Burgess and John Sutton to provide leadership through their words and actions. The bottom line is that the pressure is all on Parra on Friday, a fact Bennett will make sure his players are aware of.
Brett Kimmorley says
Parramatta have really fallen off. They are faltering when the game is on the line, coming up with mistakes, overplaying their hand and giving penalties away. They are beating themselves at the moment. For South Sydney, Wayne Bennett is a coach that will know how to deal with the rep period. They have a couple of really good kids in the Canterbury Cup who I am looking forward to seeing in the NRL. Rabbitohs by 2
Stat Attack
Cody Walker's 11 tries is tops in the league, while Adam Reynolds is the leading goal-kicker (46). Damien Cook leads the NRL in try assists (14), receipts (1,334) and dummy-half runs (98). Cook was superb in Saturday night's win over the Tigers, finishing with a try, two line break assists, two try assists, a line break and a team-high 48 tackles.
And another thing ...
Blake Ferguson wouldn't be pleased about missing an Origin recall but he hasn't been the same damaging force he was earlier in the season. He was definitely in line for a Blues spot a few weeks ago but Parra's recent run of losses and a drop in his own form buried his chances of selection. The Eels need Ferguson back to his best on Friday.
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:28:33 GMT 10
Team List: Eels v Rabbitohs, Round 12
The Parramatta Eels side to take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium on Friday 31 May in Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership has been named by Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur.
After a 16-10 defeat to the Penrith Panthers last week, Arthur has made several changes to his side for this week’s clash.
Michael Jennings returns from a calf injury in the centres with Maika Sivo on the wing whilst Josh Hoffman and Blake Ferguson will form the right centre-wing pairing.
Kane Evans has been named in the starting front row alongside Junior Paulo, with Shaun Lane, Manu Ma’u in the back row and Tepai Moeroa to return from concussion protocols at lock.
Peni Terepo, Ray Stone, David Gower and Marata Niukore form the bench whilst Brad Takairangi, George Jennings, Tim Mannah and Daniel Alvaro are named on the reserves.
Moeroa is set to play his 100th NRL game whilst Mitch Moses is set to play his 50th game for the Parramatta Eels.
Kick off is at 7:55pm.
Parramatta Eels
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Hoffman
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Will Smith
7. Mitch Moses
8. Kane Evans
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Manu Ma’u
13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange
14. Peni Terepo
15. Ray Stone
16. David Gower
17. Marata Niukore
18. Brad Takairangi
19. George Jennings
20. Tim Mannah
21. Daniel Alvaro
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:29:46 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:30:10 GMT 10
NRL.com
Moses inspires Eels to win over depleted Rabbitohs
A virtuoso performance from Eels halfback Mitch Moses has helped his side snap a three-game losing streak against the under-strength Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night.
Already missing a host of players through injury, Souths were further hit by the Origin selection of four players but remained committed with rookies Connor Tracey and Billy Brittain impressing.
But after three straight defeats, including arguably their worst of the year in a dire loss at home to last-placed Penrith in round 11, the Eels bounced back impressively after coach Brad Arthur dropped four players.
Moses was the dominant force, setting up three tries and kicking superbly after some poor early short kicks and running more than 160 metres.
Bench forward David Gower was the best in the pack, bending the line with every carry with a line break and two offloads.
Debutant Tracey was close to Souths' best with a mammoth 13 tackle busts and almost 200 metres at five-eighth.
Most of the first half was played in the Rabbitohs' end but poor execution from the Eels – particularly on end-of-set attacking kicks – eventually saw Souths take a 2-0 lead from a gift penalty in front midway through the half.
The Eels levelled up just inside the half hour mark when debutant hooker Billy Brittain compounded an error with an offside penalty.
The Eels came alive straight after that though, surging downfield in the set after points before Clint Gutherson touched down on Moses' first pinpoint attacking kick of the night.
Four minutes later, Moses scythed clean through the line and offloaded for Blake Ferguson to score, and in five minutes a 2-all score had blown out to 14-2 in favour of the home side.
A line break from Gower set the Eels on the attack again early in the second half and after some enterprising side-to-side attack a Michael Jennings flick pass put Maika Sivo over in the corner.
Souths clawed one back midway through the half when Thomas Burgess got low and drove his way over from close range but the Eels pulled away again when Josh Hoffman capitalised on a right-side move with a brilliant angled run to the line.
Needing three tries in the final 15 minutes, the Bunnies eventually got one with seven minutes remaining when Junior Tatola crashed over but they spilled the ball in the set after points and another Moses penalty goal helped wind down the clock and seal the 26-14 result.
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:30:51 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:31:29 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:32:07 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:32:43 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:33:21 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:34:00 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:34:35 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:35:08 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:35:54 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 16, 2020 18:36:34 GMT 10
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1981 1982 1983 1986 
