Nathan Smith reviews the Parramatta Eels’ defeat of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
MATCH DETAILS
The Parramatta Eels – on the back of several losses – met the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium. With South Sydney missing key players due to Origin, this was the perfect opportunity to defeat them. The first 15 minutes was a back-and-forth tussle. The Rabbitohs drew first blood with a penalty goal. Parramatta equalled the score with a penalty of their own in the 27th minute. They swiftly backed it up with a try to Clinton Gutherson in the 32nd minute. Mitchell Moses was a sight when he took the line on in the 36th minute and broke through, allowing him to send a wobbly pass to Blake Ferguson, and the Eels went to half time in front 14-2. Parramatta kicked off the second half in style with a try in the first ten minutes to Maika Sivo. The Rabbitohs refused to lay down, with Thomas Burgess crossing in the 56th minute. With the game in a precarious situation, Josh Hoffman crossed in the 61st minute to put the game out of reach. Tevita Tatola crossed in the 74th minute, however it was too late for the Rabbitohs to mount a comeback. The Parramatta Eels made it three from four at Bankwest as the Rabbitohs lost only their second game of the year.
FOUR POINTERS
Depleted South Sydney
South Sydney were without some of their gun players: including Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Cameron Murray. The Origin period will be an issue for them and may see them leak a few unlikely losses. Wayne Bennett will be looking to ensure his team can withstand this period as best as possible.
Parramatta’s Rollercoaster
Parramatta are unpredictable. They will win a game with 51 points to their name and lose another conceding 64. Tonight they defeated the depleted competition leaders after losing to the out-of-form Panthers in a stinker of a game last round. You don’t know what you’ll get from Parramatta as there’s no consistent form.
Chop and Change
Brad Arthur made some big changes this week. Most notably, he sacked club favourite Tim Mannah. He wanted a reaction and he got one. By no means did his team perform clinically, but they got the win. Whether he sticks with the same side next week – which means leaving Mannah in reserves – remains to be seen.
Mitchell Moses Takes on the Line
Mitchell Moses took the line on more often than not: a rare occurrence in 2019, and it paid dividends. He has had an up-and-down year and while this game wasn’t perfect, it was one of his better ones. If Parramatta want to have any success, then Moses – as their chief playmaker – needs to run the line as often as he did tonight.
THE RESULT
Parramatta Eels 26
Tries: Clinton Gutherson, Blake Ferguson, Maika Sivo, Josh Hoffman
Goals: Mitchell Moses 5/6
Drop Goals: N/A
South Sydney Rabbitohs 14
Tries: Thomas Burgess, Tavita Tatola
Goals: Adam Reynolds 3/3
Drop Goals: N/A
SQUADS
Parramatta Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Josh Hoffman 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Will Smith 7. Mitchell 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
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Corey Allen 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Ethan Lowe 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Campbell Graham 6. Connor Tracey 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Billy Brittain 10. Thomas Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Tevita Tatola. Interchange: 14. Bayley Sironen 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Dean Britt 17. Liam Knight
