The Parramatta Eels take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium this Friday (26 May) for Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
The versatile outside back, Clint Gutherson, who has been named in the halves alongside Mitch Moses this week is determined to play wherever is best for the team.
The 22-year-old has floated between five-eighth and the No.1 jersey in 11 appearances this season with six tries to his name and is also the club's primary goal kicker in 2017.
“To be honest I don’t mind I just like playing football and being out there with the boys and competing. So where ever on the field I just enjoy playing it here at Parra and just footy in general,” Gutherson said.
“We’ve had a few injuries so I’ve just chimed in where I can at the moment with Bevy coming back me, moving back into 6, so at the moment were filling the spots.” He added.
“I don’t know I’ll probably see myself coming off the bench maybe 15min out, locking down the middle.” He joked.
“Nah I don’t know yet, well just have to see what happens. I’m in the 6 at the moment and I’ve got to do my best for the team in the 6 and do that role well so that we have a chance to be in the game each week.”
Gutherson reflected on Saturday night in Parramatta's 22-16 loss to the Raiders, and the half knows it was a game where the two points slipped away.
“It was fairly disappointing to be honest. We were in it with about 15 to go then we just got our foot off the throttle there and let them back in. Me personally kicked a few dead, Mitchy got a few dead as well, which sort of cost us in the end and just dropped balls really, really hurt us. “ Gutherson said.
“But as you said, we improved but we were not happy with just improved, we want to get the win so we’ve come in here today and really turned it on in the training paddock and in the gym so hopefully a big improvement this week.”
However reuniting with childhood friend Mitch Moses in the halves felt comfortable.
“I’ve played with him since school footy. So I’ve played a lot of footy with him here and there. It was good to finally play in a grade with him not against him. But I’ve known Mitchy for ages so it just clicked straight away,” Gutherson said.
“It was a little bit [felt like we were playing school footy]. As I said I haven’t played since probably Year 12 or 20’s Origin maybe. It was good to have him here and the extra couple days training will really help us in the long run in the weeks to come.”
“But we got to make it click as quick as possible. Every game is important from here on in and we got to click as soon as possible to help the boys steer them around and if we cant click quick enough its going to cost the team and we’ve put some hard work in there and hopefully it clicks on Friday night.” Gutherson added.
“We’ve done a lot of video over the last couple of days and sort of looked at each other’s game and see where we can chime in and help each other. We were on the field today and then we did some more video so just the little things that will help each other and personally as well so whatever we can do to sort of speed up the process were trying to do and hopefully just as the training sessions and the games continue we just keep getting better.”
The addition of Moses to the Blue & Gold squad comes at a “good time” with Norman ruled out with a knee injury.
“It's pretty good timing to be honest. With Normy going down, then Mitchy coming across he’s just going to bring what he brings. He’s a cool calm head on the field,” Gutherson said.
“He’s got a lot of skill there to go around and help the team out. So were looking forward to seeing what he can bring. As I said hell just keep getting better week in week out and we’ll see what he can do on the team.”
And Gutherson knows it the pair will have to click in an important game this week.
“As I said before, every game is real important now especially leading into the byes. We got to really look forward to South’s on Friday night,” Gutherson said.
“They’re in some decent form as you said they haven’t won too many in a row at the moment. But they’re going to come out firing there always a tough game they’ve got some great players in their big pack so were going to have to be ready for them.”
The Eels kick off against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on Friday 26 May. Kick off at 7:50pm.
