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Craig HillRound 13 Preview - Raiders vs Eels
June 9th 2007 03:25
VENUE and TIME: Canberra Stadium, Saturday 5.30pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 41, Raiders 19, Eels 22
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio, 2GB
LAST CLASH: Eels 38-6, Parramatta Stadium, 2007
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Raiders have a host of backline talent currently unavailable, with Matt Bickerstaff (knee), Phil Graham (leg), Colin Best (neck), Brett Kelly (ankle) and David Howell all out with long term injuries. The suspension of troubled half Todd Carney and the mid-week sacking of winger Steve Irwin for disciplinary reasons could not have come at a worse time for rookie coach Neil Henry, with the Raiders backline stocks currently threadbare.
The only injury concern for the rampant Eels is a minor hamstring strain to rugby union bound centre, Timana Tahu. Parramatta will be without the services of the inspirational Nathan Hindmarsh and boom youngster Jarryd Hayne due to NSW Origin representation.
FORM:
The Raiders were diabolical in last week’s loss to the Titans, so expect Henry’s young team to be full of fire. Canberra’s lack of concentration killed them last week, with the Raiders committing a whopping 15 handling errors and missing 38 tackles to hand the Titans the game virtually by half time. The young Raiders are a vastly different team on their home turf however, having won three of their five home matches by a margin of 13
After a sluggish start to their 2007 campaign, Parramatta have burst to life in the past three weeks, recording resounding victories over the Cowboys, Warriors and Tigers. Eels coach Michael Hagan has a talented blend of youth and experience at his disposal, with the Eels recent form stamping them as a genuine premiership threat.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Lincoln Withers vs PJ Marsh
Winning the ruck battle is crucial in the modern day game, and this Saturday night clash will highlight two of the games best exponents of the dominant ruck play.
The Raiders former halfback has found a new home in the number nine jersey; with Withers a vital cog in Canberra’s attacking momentum. The tenacious hooker provides the Raiders with both quick service and a kicking alternative, with Withers’ currently third on the NRL’s lists of top dummy half runners. Withers will try to split the Eels marker defence with his trademark darts, and it will be no surprise to see the fiery Raiders hooker attempting to niggle his opponents out of the game.
Combining with Mark Riddell, PJ Marsh is a big factor in getting the Eels high intensity, rolling ruck charging, with the former Maroons representative currently in career best form. Marsh possesses the innate ability to know when to scoot or pass from the dummy half position, and is the NRL’s top five statistics for dummy half line breaks this season. If the Raiders forwards start to fire, than look for Marsh to capitalise with his trademark scoop and scoot.
Michael Weyman vs Fuifui Moimoi
The modern game allows each team to introduce one giant, damaging forward a match, and these two teams possess arguably the best bench exponents in the business.
Bursting onto the scene in late 2005, Weyman has built a fearsome reputation as being a one man wrecking ball when introduced midway through each half. Weighing in at a whopping 113kg, Weyman has the ability to lift his team mates through his inspirational charges and trademark crunching defence. If the Raiders are struggling early against the Eels this Saturday, look for coach Henry to inject the massive prop for some much needed mongrel.
Becoming somewhat of a cult hero, the Eels Moimoi has developed into the games most damaging ball runner. Skittling defenders with his every charge, the Tongan prop forward has also developed an impressive passing game into his repertoire this season. Like he did against the Tigers last start, Moimoi’s introduction will change the course of the match.
VERDICT:
Canberra Stadium has become somewhat of a Raiders home fortress in season 2007, with the freezing temperature conditions of the nations capital making this one of the fearsome road trips.
Parramatta’s electric form of late makes them just about certainties in this clash, with the Raiders lack of depth and skill in the outside backs likely to be their downfall.
Parramatta by 14
Canberra Raiders -
William Zillman, David Milne, Marshall Chalk, Brad Cross, Bronx Goodwin, Terry Campese, Michael Dobson, Scott Logan, Lincoln Withers, Dane Tilse, Ben Jones, Glen Turner, Alan Tongue (c)
Interchange -Josh Miller, Troy Thompson, Michael Weyman, Ryan Hinchcliffe
Parramatta Eels -Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Ben Smith, Krisnan Inu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), PJ Marsh, Aaron Cannings, Chad Robinson, Feleti Mateo, Daniel Wagon
Interchange -
Mark Riddell, Josh Cordoba, Ian Hindmarsh, Fuifui Moimoi, Weller Hauraki
Referee - Jared Maxwell
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 41, Raiders 19, Eels 22
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio, 2GB
LAST CLASH: Eels 38-6, Parramatta Stadium, 2007
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Raiders have a host of backline talent currently unavailable, with Matt Bickerstaff (knee), Phil Graham (leg), Colin Best (neck), Brett Kelly (ankle) and David Howell all out with long term injuries. The suspension of troubled half Todd Carney and the mid-week sacking of winger Steve Irwin for disciplinary reasons could not have come at a worse time for rookie coach Neil Henry, with the Raiders backline stocks currently threadbare.
The only injury concern for the rampant Eels is a minor hamstring strain to rugby union bound centre, Timana Tahu. Parramatta will be without the services of the inspirational Nathan Hindmarsh and boom youngster Jarryd Hayne due to NSW Origin representation.
FORM:
The Raiders were diabolical in last week’s loss to the Titans, so expect Henry’s young team to be full of fire. Canberra’s lack of concentration killed them last week, with the Raiders committing a whopping 15 handling errors and missing 38 tackles to hand the Titans the game virtually by half time. The young Raiders are a vastly different team on their home turf however, having won three of their five home matches by a margin of 13
After a sluggish start to their 2007 campaign, Parramatta have burst to life in the past three weeks, recording resounding victories over the Cowboys, Warriors and Tigers. Eels coach Michael Hagan has a talented blend of youth and experience at his disposal, with the Eels recent form stamping them as a genuine premiership threat.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Lincoln Withers vs PJ Marsh
Winning the ruck battle is crucial in the modern day game, and this Saturday night clash will highlight two of the games best exponents of the dominant ruck play.
The Raiders former halfback has found a new home in the number nine jersey; with Withers a vital cog in Canberra’s attacking momentum. The tenacious hooker provides the Raiders with both quick service and a kicking alternative, with Withers’ currently third on the NRL’s lists of top dummy half runners. Withers will try to split the Eels marker defence with his trademark darts, and it will be no surprise to see the fiery Raiders hooker attempting to niggle his opponents out of the game.
Combining with Mark Riddell, PJ Marsh is a big factor in getting the Eels high intensity, rolling ruck charging, with the former Maroons representative currently in career best form. Marsh possesses the innate ability to know when to scoot or pass from the dummy half position, and is the NRL’s top five statistics for dummy half line breaks this season. If the Raiders forwards start to fire, than look for Marsh to capitalise with his trademark scoop and scoot.
Michael Weyman vs Fuifui Moimoi
The modern game allows each team to introduce one giant, damaging forward a match, and these two teams possess arguably the best bench exponents in the business.
Bursting onto the scene in late 2005, Weyman has built a fearsome reputation as being a one man wrecking ball when introduced midway through each half. Weighing in at a whopping 113kg, Weyman has the ability to lift his team mates through his inspirational charges and trademark crunching defence. If the Raiders are struggling early against the Eels this Saturday, look for coach Henry to inject the massive prop for some much needed mongrel.
Becoming somewhat of a cult hero, the Eels Moimoi has developed into the games most damaging ball runner. Skittling defenders with his every charge, the Tongan prop forward has also developed an impressive passing game into his repertoire this season. Like he did against the Tigers last start, Moimoi’s introduction will change the course of the match.
VERDICT:
Canberra Stadium has become somewhat of a Raiders home fortress in season 2007, with the freezing temperature conditions of the nations capital making this one of the fearsome road trips.
Parramatta’s electric form of late makes them just about certainties in this clash, with the Raiders lack of depth and skill in the outside backs likely to be their downfall.
Parramatta by 14
Canberra Raiders -
William Zillman, David Milne, Marshall Chalk, Brad Cross, Bronx Goodwin, Terry Campese, Michael Dobson, Scott Logan, Lincoln Withers, Dane Tilse, Ben Jones, Glen Turner, Alan Tongue (c)
Interchange -Josh Miller, Troy Thompson, Michael Weyman, Ryan Hinchcliffe
Parramatta Eels -Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Ben Smith, Krisnan Inu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), PJ Marsh, Aaron Cannings, Chad Robinson, Feleti Mateo, Daniel Wagon
Interchange -
Mark Riddell, Josh Cordoba, Ian Hindmarsh, Fuifui Moimoi, Weller Hauraki
Referee - Jared Maxwell
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