Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillRound 14 preview – Eels vs Dragons
June 16th 2007 23:31
VENUE and TIME: Parramatta Stadium, Sunday, 2pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 13, Eels 8, Dragons 4, drawn 1
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio, 2GB
LAST CLASH: Eels 28-6, Parramatta Stadium, 2006
MEDICAL ROOM:
Parramatta’s only injury concern heading into this match will be a niggling hamstring injury to rugby union bound centre Timana Tahu, whilst Nathan Hindmarsh and Jarryd Hayne will again back up after mid week Origin commitments.
The Dragons are in a vastly different situation however, with nine regular first graders unavailable for this encounter. Season ending injuries to backs Mark Gasnier (pectoral), Brett Morris (shoulder) and Wes Naiqama (knee) mean that the backline is light on in experience, whilst Ben Hornby (calf), Ashton Sims (knee), Dean Young (knee), Matthew Head (shoulder) and Adam Peek (suspended) are all still unavailable. There are also serious doubts as to whether the Dragons sole Origin representative Matt Cooper will be fit enough to play, after he picked up a knee injury in Wednesday’s Telstra Stadium loss.
FORM:
Until last Saturday, Parramatta was being bandied about as legitimate premiership threats after their comprehensive thrashings of the Cowboys, Warriors and Tigers. However, all that positive talk disintegrated in just twelve minutes, as the unlikely Raiders outfit piled on 30 unanswered first half points against the unenthused Eels. Parramatta coach Michael Hagan has a talented blend of youth and experience at his disposal, but the Eels will need to rectify their concentration lapses if they are to firm as a genuine premiership threat.
With a crippling injury toll, the Dragons have struggled for combination and consistency over the opening 13 rounds of the premiership, leaving them anchored to the bottom of the premiership table. Coach Nathan Brown’s young charges have displayed patches of brilliance throughout matches this year, but their lack of hardened experience has also see them lose three games by a margin of less than four points.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
PJ Marsh vs Simon Woolford
Two of the games best exponents of dominant ruck play will be on display this Sunday, with the guile of these two number nines crucial to each team’s chances.
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.
The nuggetty Woolford has been a revelation for the Dragons this season, with the former Raiders skipper directing his young charges with aplomb. Possessing a crafty dummy half kicking game, and the natural ability to know when to run and when to pass, Woolford will look to provide quick, quality service so as to promote his giant forwards over the advantage line.
Tim Smith vs Jamie Soward
The battle between two of the games craftiest young halves is sure to be a beauty.
Slowly rediscovering the form from his stellar 2005 season, Smith is relishing the fact that he has another attacking option on the other side of the ruck in Brett Finch to relieve the play making pressure. Possessing the most creative kicking game in the league, Smith is this season displaying patience and selection in his attacking game, placing him sixth overall in the league’s top try assists.
After leaving the Roosters for the Dragons just three weeks ago, the talented young half has reignited St George-Illawarra’s season with his undoubted talent and boundless enthusiasm. Lethal inside the oppositions red zone, Soward will punch his pinpoint little grubbers in behind the lumbering Eels forwards at every opportunity.
VERDICT:
After being thrashed by the Raiders last Saturday, expect the Eels to unleash a weeks worth of frustration upon the vastly inexperienced Dragons outfit in front of a typically vocal Parramatta crowd.
Eels by 14
Parramatta Eels -
Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Krisnan Inu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), PJ Marsh, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Feleti Mateo, Daniel Wagon
Interchange -
Chad Robinson, Josh Cordoba, Aaron Cannings, Mark Riddell, Ian Hindmarsh
St George-Illawarra Dragons -
Josh Morris, Jason Nightingale, Chase Stanley, Matt Cooper, Tom Hewitt, Richie Williams, Jamie Soward, Justin Poore, Simon Woolford, Jason Ryles (c), Beau Scott, Chris Houston, Ben Creagh
Interchange -
Dan Hunt, Rick Thorby, Lagi Setu, Ben Ellis, Corey Payne
Referee - Sean Hampstead
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 13, Eels 8, Dragons 4, drawn 1
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio, 2GB
LAST CLASH: Eels 28-6, Parramatta Stadium, 2006
MEDICAL ROOM:
Parramatta’s only injury concern heading into this match will be a niggling hamstring injury to rugby union bound centre Timana Tahu, whilst Nathan Hindmarsh and Jarryd Hayne will again back up after mid week Origin commitments.
The Dragons are in a vastly different situation however, with nine regular first graders unavailable for this encounter. Season ending injuries to backs Mark Gasnier (pectoral), Brett Morris (shoulder) and Wes Naiqama (knee) mean that the backline is light on in experience, whilst Ben Hornby (calf), Ashton Sims (knee), Dean Young (knee), Matthew Head (shoulder) and Adam Peek (suspended) are all still unavailable. There are also serious doubts as to whether the Dragons sole Origin representative Matt Cooper will be fit enough to play, after he picked up a knee injury in Wednesday’s Telstra Stadium loss.
FORM:
Until last Saturday, Parramatta was being bandied about as legitimate premiership threats after their comprehensive thrashings of the Cowboys, Warriors and Tigers. However, all that positive talk disintegrated in just twelve minutes, as the unlikely Raiders outfit piled on 30 unanswered first half points against the unenthused Eels. Parramatta coach Michael Hagan has a talented blend of youth and experience at his disposal, but the Eels will need to rectify their concentration lapses if they are to firm as a genuine premiership threat.
With a crippling injury toll, the Dragons have struggled for combination and consistency over the opening 13 rounds of the premiership, leaving them anchored to the bottom of the premiership table. Coach Nathan Brown’s young charges have displayed patches of brilliance throughout matches this year, but their lack of hardened experience has also see them lose three games by a margin of less than four points.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
PJ Marsh vs Simon Woolford
Two of the games best exponents of dominant ruck play will be on display this Sunday, with the guile of these two number nines crucial to each team’s chances.
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.
The nuggetty Woolford has been a revelation for the Dragons this season, with the former Raiders skipper directing his young charges with aplomb. Possessing a crafty dummy half kicking game, and the natural ability to know when to run and when to pass, Woolford will look to provide quick, quality service so as to promote his giant forwards over the advantage line.
Tim Smith vs Jamie Soward
The battle between two of the games craftiest young halves is sure to be a beauty.
Slowly rediscovering the form from his stellar 2005 season, Smith is relishing the fact that he has another attacking option on the other side of the ruck in Brett Finch to relieve the play making pressure. Possessing the most creative kicking game in the league, Smith is this season displaying patience and selection in his attacking game, placing him sixth overall in the league’s top try assists.
After leaving the Roosters for the Dragons just three weeks ago, the talented young half has reignited St George-Illawarra’s season with his undoubted talent and boundless enthusiasm. Lethal inside the oppositions red zone, Soward will punch his pinpoint little grubbers in behind the lumbering Eels forwards at every opportunity.
VERDICT:
After being thrashed by the Raiders last Saturday, expect the Eels to unleash a weeks worth of frustration upon the vastly inexperienced Dragons outfit in front of a typically vocal Parramatta crowd.
Eels by 14
Parramatta Eels -
Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Krisnan Inu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), PJ Marsh, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Feleti Mateo, Daniel Wagon
Interchange -
Chad Robinson, Josh Cordoba, Aaron Cannings, Mark Riddell, Ian Hindmarsh
St George-Illawarra Dragons -
Josh Morris, Jason Nightingale, Chase Stanley, Matt Cooper, Tom Hewitt, Richie Williams, Jamie Soward, Justin Poore, Simon Woolford, Jason Ryles (c), Beau Scott, Chris Houston, Ben Creagh
Interchange -
Dan Hunt, Rick Thorby, Lagi Setu, Ben Ellis, Corey Payne
Referee - Sean Hampstead
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