Match Preview: Sharks v Eels, Round 13

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 5 Jun 2019, 10:13 AM

Sterlo's Parra Preview - Sharks v Eels, Round 13

The Parramatta Eels take on the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday 8 June in Round 13 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur has named the same seventeen players that came away with a 26-14 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs last week, making just the one change to his reserves list.

Nathan Brown has been named on the reserves, the first time since his round one torn pec injury ruled him out to the sidelines, named on the reserves alongside Brad Takairangi, George Jennings and Tim Mannah.

For the Sharks, Head Coach John Morris has decided to rest experienced centre Josh Morris who will not back up after tonight’s State of Origin clash.

Josh Dugan moves into Morris’ spot at left centre, with Matt Moylan named at fullback.

Wade Graham could potentially return to the field after missing the first 12 rounds due to his recovery from a knee reconstruction, named on the reserves, whilst Shaun Johnson has also been named on the reserves, potentially returning from a hamstring injury.

Last week, the Eels snapped a three game losing streak with a victory over the Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium and Arthur and his Blue & Gold side will be looking to claim their first back to back wins of the season this week.

A tough trip into Sharks territory awaits the Eels, who have just 14 wins from 37 games at the stadium.

For the home side, the Sharks welcomed last week’s bye. Battling a handful of injuries to their side, the week off capped off three wins from their past four games and sees them sitting sixth on the ladder.

Historically, the Sharks hold a slight head to head advantage over the Blue & Gold, with 46 wins from 86 games between the two Clubs.

They had won five in a row against the Eels before the Blue & Gold claimed a 24-12 victory at ANZ Stadium in Round Four earlier this year.

Mitch Moses was strong in the Eels victory last week with 16 runs for 150m, one line break, one line break assist, three try assists, 20 tackles and 351 kick metres. His clash against Sharks half Chad Townsend will go a long way in determining the clash whilst the back row battle of Shaun Lane and Briton Nikora on the edges will be interesting.

Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita leads the NRL in offloads (36), while the Sharks have a league-leading 138 offloads as a team. Eels hooker Reed Mahoney is the top tackler (574) in the competition, while teammate Clint Gutherson is setting the pace in run metres (2,135).

Kick off is at 5:30pm.

Round 13 - Round 13 - Saturday 8 Jun

Full Time

Sharks

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Matt Moylan

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sosaia Feki

Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Josh Dugan

Centre for Eels is number 4 Josh Hoffman
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Aaron Gray

Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Kyle Flanagan

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Will Smith
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Andrew Fifita

Prop for Eels is number 8 Kane Evans
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Brailey

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Matt Prior

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Manu Ma'u
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Paul Gallen

Lock for Eels is number 13 Tepai Moeroa

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jayson Bukuya

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Peni Terepo
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams

Interchange for Eels is number 16 David Gower
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Marata Niukore
Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Wade Graham

Interchange for Eels is number 21 Nathan Brown