Match Preview: Eels v Rabbitohs, Round 12

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 29 May 2019, 11:33 AM

Sterlo's Parra Preview | Eels v Rabbitohs, Round 12

The Parramatta Eels take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium on Friday 31 May in Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

After a 16-10 defeat to the Penrith Panthers last week, Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad 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.

For the opposition, the first placed Rabbitohs, they will be without Damien Cook, Cody Walker, Cameron Murray and Dane Gagai who are all unavailable due to Origin selection.

Head Coach Wayne Bennett has named Adam Doueihi to return from a knee injury in the centres, two NRL debutants in Connor Tracey at five-eighth and Billy Brittain at hooker, and Club debutant Bayley Sironen on the interchange bench.

Half Adam Reynolds, who looked to have picked up a leg injury last week, has been named in their line up despite leaving the field early last week.

On form, the Eels enter this clash in a slump, with three consecutive defeats however with no Origin selections, Arthur has still wielded the axe and dropped some players for this clash.

The Eels still eighth on the ladder but will want to return to the winners circle this week against a weakened Rabbitohs outfit.

The Rabbitohs sit on top of the ladder with ten wins and just one loss to start the season, however with four key players unavailable, their depth will be tested.

They still have plenty of strike and stars in their forward pack with all three Burgess brothers available.

The Souths forward pack, led by the Burgess brothers, will look to make an impact in the clash early and the Blue & Gold will need to meet their energy up front.

The Eels will also want to improve on last week’s loss where they gave up too much possession, made too many mistakes and gave away too many penalties.

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.

Round 12 - Round 12 - Friday 31 May

Full Time

Eels

Rabbitohs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Corey Allan
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Ethan Lowe
Centre for Eels is number 4 Josh Hoffman

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Adam Doueihi
Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Will Smith

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Connor Tracey
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Kane Evans

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 George Burgess
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Billy Brittain
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 John Sutton
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Manu Ma'u

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Sam Burgess
Lock for Eels is number 13 Tepai Moeroa

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Tevita Tatola

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Peni Terepo

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Bayley Sironen
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ray Stone

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark Nicholls
Interchange for Eels is number 16 David Gower

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Dean Britt
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Marata Niukore

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Knight