2024 NRL: Round 13 Preview, Eels Vs Sharks
Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 13 clash between the Parramatta Eels and Cronulla Sharks.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Parramatta Eels Vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Date: Thursday 30 May, 7:50pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11.Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Blaize Talagi 15. Shaun Lane 16. Makahesi Makatoa 17. Wiremu Greig 18. Daejarn Asi 19. Morgan Harper 20. Joey Lussick 21. Ryan Matterson 22. Luca Moretti
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jack Williams 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Royce Hunt 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Billy Burns 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jayden Berrell
Referee: Ashley Klein
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
An Origin-impacted Round 13 kicks off on Thursday night when the Eels take on the Sharks at CommBank Stadium. The Eels will be looking for their first win under interim coach Trent Barrett, while the Sharks will be hoping to bounce back from last week’s mauling against the Panthers.
For the Eels, captain Clint Gutherson and Mitch Moses have both been named to return from long injury lay-offs at fullback and half back respectively. This shifts Dylan Brown back to five-eighth and young gun Blaize Talagi back to the bench. Daejarn Asi and Joey Lussick both drop out of the 17. J’maine Hopgood is out after being named to make his Origin debut for the Maroons.
Having lost their last five games, the return of Gutherson and Moses couldn’t have come at a better time for the Eels. They’ve looked rudderless at times over this losing streak. The experience these two bring back to the spine will have a positive impact on their attack, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see them take time to re-form their attacking combinations. Despite Hopgood being out, they should offer up a much-improved performance this week and will test the Sharks.
For the Sharks, Braydon Trindall returns at half back just in time to cover for Nicho Hynes, who is out after getting an Origin call-up for the Blues. Cameron McInnes is also out after being selected to make his Origin debut for the Blues, with Jack Williams moving into the starting lock role, and Toby Rudolf returning from a knee injury on the bench.
Last week was a huge wake-up call for the Sharks. They were blown off the park by the Panthers 42-0 in front of their home fans, so they’ll be eager to put that performance behind them as quickly as possible. That will be difficult to do without Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes, who have both been integral to their success over the first half of the season. Their recent head-to-head match ups against the Eels show they may be in for a tight contest, with three of their past four meetings decided by four points or less.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Sharks by 4 points.
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