Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Arnold
Paladin
Craig HillRound 11 preview - Eels vs Warriors
May 28th 2007 02:39
VENUE and TIME: Parramatta Stadium, Monday, 7pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), Triple M
LAST CLASH: NZ Warriors 34-18, Mt Smart Stadium, 2007
MEDICAL ROOM:
Parramatta coach Michael Hagan had no hesitations in slotting returning Eels Timana Tahu and Fuifui Moimoi straight back into the top grade line-up after lengthy injury lay offs. With only Ian Hindmarsh (eye) and Todd Lowrie (ankle) unavailable for selection for the next fortnight, Hagan will realise that the Eels have the perfect chance to entrench themselves in the top eight during the gruelling representative season.
In what is somewhat of a rarity at this point in the season, New Zealand coach Ivan Cleary has every member of his top squad fit, healthy and available for selection this week. Cleary’s only concern is whether inspirational prop forward Steve Price will back up after a mammoth performance for the Maroons last Wednesday night, with all reports indicating that the Warriors forward leader is a near certainty to play.
FORM:
Last weeks seven try romp against the Cowboys could well be the start of a mid season Eels charge, with the much maligned Parramatta backline beginning to look dangerous. Creative halves Brett Finch and Tim Smith are just starting to gel as a lethal combination, with Eels fullback Luke Burt in the best form of his career.
After a promising start to the season, the Warriors have returned back to their mistake riddled ways, losing their last three matches in the dyeing minutes after completely dominating their opposition. The main concern for coach Cleary is the Warriors alarming drop in intensity over the final ten minute period, with the Sharks and the Knights storming home to snatch unlikely victories.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Jarryd Hayne vs Manu Vatuvei
When confidence levels are high, these two electric wingers are absolute world beaters, and the Parramatta Stadium faithful could be in for a treat this Monday night, if they both bring their A game.
At halftime in Wednesday nights Origin match in Brisbane, Hayne would have been feeling on top of the world after scoring one of Origins more memorable tries, but Hayne’s fairytale debut turned to nightmare just twenty minutes later. Gifting a try to Maroons skipper Darren Lockyer late in the second half, the shattered rookie winger was inconsolable after the match, and he will be looking to rectify things with a big game against the giant Warrior Manu Vatuvei.
Vatuvei himself had an unhappy match last Sunday, with the 109kg wing mammoth making costly handling errors when the home side looked like scoring. Capable of beating even the best defenders with a dangerous blend of size and pace, Vatuvei’ needs to rectify his poor handling skills if he ever hopes to represent his country in Test matches again.
Nathan Cayless vs Steve Price
Monday nights clash at Parramatta Stadium will see two of the competitions form veteran prop forwards meet in a fiery head to head battle.
Eels skipper Cayless has been in career best form in ’07, with the chunky Kiwi prop currently in the NRL’s top ten statistics for most hit-ups and metres gained. Cayless has attributed his increased work rate this season to being inspired by watching aging Warrior Ruben Wiki in the Kiwis Tran Tasman squad earlier this season, and it will be no surprise to see Cayless have a massive game against the biggest forward pack in the NRL on Monday night.
After starring for Queensland in Wednesday nights Origin fixture, Price returns to the struggling Warriors side in an attempt to halt a three game losing streak. The most troublesome stat for coach Cleary is the fact that Price aside, no other Warriors forward has run for more than 100 metres in a match this season, re-enforcing the importance of Price to the New Zealand team.
VERDICT:
In what is sure to be a fiery and close encounter, expect the Eels recent good form to continue in front of their loyal home crowd. The Warriors are too inconsistent to tip confidently at present, and therefore look for Parramatta to chalk up their fifth win of the season at their home fortress.
Parramatta by 12
Parramatta Eels-
Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), PJ Marsh, Aaron Cannings, Nathan Hindmarsh, Feleti Mateo, Daniel Wagon
Interchange:
Mark Riddell, Josh Cordoba, Chad Robinson, Fuifui Moimoi
New Zealand Warriors -
Wade McKinnon, Patrick Ah Van, Tony Martin, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Michael Witt, Ruben Wiki (vc), Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Louis Anderson, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck
Interchange:
Lance Hohaia, Wairangi Koopu, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira, Evarn Tuimavave
Referee: Paul Simpkins
HEAD TO HEAD: Played
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), Triple M
LAST CLASH: NZ Warriors 34-18, Mt Smart Stadium, 2007
MEDICAL ROOM:
Parramatta coach Michael Hagan had no hesitations in slotting returning Eels Timana Tahu and Fuifui Moimoi straight back into the top grade line-up after lengthy injury lay offs. With only Ian Hindmarsh (eye) and Todd Lowrie (ankle) unavailable for selection for the next fortnight, Hagan will realise that the Eels have the perfect chance to entrench themselves in the top eight during the gruelling representative season.
In what is somewhat of a rarity at this point in the season, New Zealand coach Ivan Cleary has every member of his top squad fit, healthy and available for selection this week. Cleary’s only concern is whether inspirational prop forward Steve Price will back up after a mammoth performance for the Maroons last Wednesday night, with all reports indicating that the Warriors forward leader is a near certainty to play.
FORM:
Last weeks seven try romp against the Cowboys could well be the start of a mid season Eels charge, with the much maligned Parramatta backline beginning to look dangerous. Creative halves Brett Finch and Tim Smith are just starting to gel as a lethal combination, with Eels fullback Luke Burt in the best form of his career.
After a promising start to the season, the Warriors have returned back to their mistake riddled ways, losing their last three matches in the dyeing minutes after completely dominating their opposition. The main concern for coach Cleary is the Warriors alarming drop in intensity over the final ten minute period, with the Sharks and the Knights storming home to snatch unlikely victories.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Jarryd Hayne vs Manu Vatuvei
When confidence levels are high, these two electric wingers are absolute world beaters, and the Parramatta Stadium faithful could be in for a treat this Monday night, if they both bring their A game.
At halftime in Wednesday nights Origin match in Brisbane, Hayne would have been feeling on top of the world after scoring one of Origins more memorable tries, but Hayne’s fairytale debut turned to nightmare just twenty minutes later. Gifting a try to Maroons skipper Darren Lockyer late in the second half, the shattered rookie winger was inconsolable after the match, and he will be looking to rectify things with a big game against the giant Warrior Manu Vatuvei.
Vatuvei himself had an unhappy match last Sunday, with the 109kg wing mammoth making costly handling errors when the home side looked like scoring. Capable of beating even the best defenders with a dangerous blend of size and pace, Vatuvei’ needs to rectify his poor handling skills if he ever hopes to represent his country in Test matches again.
Nathan Cayless vs Steve Price
Monday nights clash at Parramatta Stadium will see two of the competitions form veteran prop forwards meet in a fiery head to head battle.
Eels skipper Cayless has been in career best form in ’07, with the chunky Kiwi prop currently in the NRL’s top ten statistics for most hit-ups and metres gained. Cayless has attributed his increased work rate this season to being inspired by watching aging Warrior Ruben Wiki in the Kiwis Tran Tasman squad earlier this season, and it will be no surprise to see Cayless have a massive game against the biggest forward pack in the NRL on Monday night.
After starring for Queensland in Wednesday nights Origin fixture, Price returns to the struggling Warriors side in an attempt to halt a three game losing streak. The most troublesome stat for coach Cleary is the fact that Price aside, no other Warriors forward has run for more than 100 metres in a match this season, re-enforcing the importance of Price to the New Zealand team.
VERDICT:
In what is sure to be a fiery and close encounter, expect the Eels recent good form to continue in front of their loyal home crowd. The Warriors are too inconsistent to tip confidently at present, and therefore look for Parramatta to chalk up their fifth win of the season at their home fortress.
Parramatta by 12
Parramatta Eels-
Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), PJ Marsh, Aaron Cannings, Nathan Hindmarsh, Feleti Mateo, Daniel Wagon
Interchange:
Mark Riddell, Josh Cordoba, Chad Robinson, Fuifui Moimoi
New Zealand Warriors -
Wade McKinnon, Patrick Ah Van, Tony Martin, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Michael Witt, Ruben Wiki (vc), Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Louis Anderson, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck
Interchange:
Lance Hohaia, Wairangi Koopu, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira, Evarn Tuimavave
Referee: Paul Simpkins
| 45 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Go to Craig Hill's home page by clicking here
