Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
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Craig HillRound eight preview – Eels vs Roosters
May 4th 2007 13:23
VENUE and TIME: Parramatta Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 115, Eels 56, Roosters 54, Drawn 5
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (7.30pm)
LAST 5 CLASHES:
Eels 40-26, Aussie Stadium, 2006
Eels 22-20, Parramatta Stadium, 2006
Roosters 12-8, Aussie Stadium, 2005
Roosters 48-10, Aussie Stadium, 2004
Eels 26-12, Parramatta Stadium, 2004
MEDICAL ROOM:
While the majority of Parramatta’s first grade squad were suffering the effects of a virus during last weeks thrashing at the hands of the Titans, only winger Eric Grothe remains in doubt for this match due to the widespread sickness. City Origin winger Jarryd Hayne got through last night’s match unscathed, but Eels coach Michael Hagan has been forced to blood some of the lower grades promising rookies, due to injuries to Timana Tahu (hamstring), Mark Riddell (thumb), Chad Robinson (hand) and Fuifui Moimoi (knee).
After suffering a horror early season injury toll, Rooster’s coach Chris Anderson finally has close to a full compliment of troops to pick from for this weeks clash. Only Chris Flannery (leg) is the notable injured first grader, with forward Nate Myles suspended until Round 9.
FORM:
After a solid start to the season, the Eels have lost their last two matches against the Bulldogs and Titans to slip back out of the top eight. They had the game in their keeping against the Bulldogs, yet somehow lost by three points before a virus ravaged side got lapped by the Titans last Sunday. While the bulk of their team is in reasonable form, the only thing worrying coach Michael Hagan is the current try scoring drought by prolific point scorers, Eric Grothe, Jarryd Hayne, Timana Tahu and Luke Burt. These four noted try scorers have only crossed for five tries between them this season, and they will be anxious to get the ball rolling against the under performing Roosters.
Until last Wednesday, the Roosters had no form to speak of having not won a game all year. But a confident and dominant performance over the hapless Dragons on ANZAC Day put some of the doomsayers to rest, with under siege five-eight Braith Anasta starring for the Tri-colours. Both Anthony Minichiello and Mitchell Pearce are just starting to strike confidence in their play, with the form of these two crucial to the Roosters chances.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Brett Finch vs Braith Anasta
The battle between the two former Roosters and NSW Origin team-mates will go along way in determining the victor of this match. Finch has slowly been returning to the form that saw him surprisingly represent NSW last season, whilst Anasta has been close to the Roosters best player all season. The pair has differing styles – Anasta prefers to take the defence on with his solid frame, whilst Finch will try to either kick or pass around defences to create opportunities for his outside supports. Both number sixes will be steering young half backs around the field, with Anasta in particular looking to continue his current form with NSW selections just around the corner.
PJ Marsh vs Craig Wing
Both of these creative hookers are former halfbacks, who given the chance would prefer to be playing with the number seven on their backs. Marsh and Wing have been in solid, yet not outstanding form so far this season, with the extended stints on the interchange bench frustrating the two handy ball players.
They both love to scoot out of dummy half to catch the opposition defences napping and both could find plenty of yardage this Saturday considering the size of both teams forward packs. Like Anasta, Wing is vying for NSW State of Origin selection over the coming weeks, and look for the crafty number nine to work on his dummy half kicking game in an attempt to impress selectors.
VERDICT:
Even though Parramatta has lost their past two matches, not much can be read into those two results. They lost narrowly to the Bulldogs that they dominated for all but the last ten minutes, whilst the majority of the top grade squad shouldn’t have even taken the field against the Titans due to a viral complaint. It would be no surprise to see the Eels get back into the winners circle against the downcast Roosters this Saturday night, as the Bondi based team has nit exactly been setting the world alight with their shoddy performances.
Whilst the Roosters did beat the Dragons last week, that result should be taken with a grain of salt due to the Dragons crippling injury toll and lack of confidence. With skipper Craig Fitzgibbon in doubt with a cheek injury, and four other players backing up from a physical City vs Country encounter, it will be no surprise to see the Eels win comfortably at home this Saturday night.
Parramatta by 10
Parramatta Eels:
Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Krisnan Inu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), P.J. Marsh, Aaron Cannings, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh, Daniel Wagon
Interchange:
Blake Green, Josh Cordoba, Zeb Taia, Feleti Mateo, Junior Paulo
Sydney Roosters:
Anthony Minichiello, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett, Sia Soliola, Amos Roberts, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, David Shillington, Craig Wing, Danny Nutley, Shane Shackleton, Craig Fitzgibbon (c), Anthony Tupou
Interchange:
Chris Beattie, Frank Paul-Nuuausala, Lopini Paea, Ashley Harrison, Heath L'Estrange, John Williams, Shaun Foley, Mitchell Aubusson, Joel Monaghan
Referee: Tony De Las Heras
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 115, Eels 56, Roosters 54, Drawn 5
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (7.30pm)
LAST 5 CLASHES:
Eels 40-26, Aussie Stadium, 2006
Eels 22-20, Parramatta Stadium, 2006
Roosters 12-8, Aussie Stadium, 2005
Roosters 48-10, Aussie Stadium, 2004
Eels 26-12, Parramatta Stadium, 2004
MEDICAL ROOM:
While the majority of Parramatta’s first grade squad were suffering the effects of a virus during last weeks thrashing at the hands of the Titans, only winger Eric Grothe remains in doubt for this match due to the widespread sickness. City Origin winger Jarryd Hayne got through last night’s match unscathed, but Eels coach Michael Hagan has been forced to blood some of the lower grades promising rookies, due to injuries to Timana Tahu (hamstring), Mark Riddell (thumb), Chad Robinson (hand) and Fuifui Moimoi (knee).
After suffering a horror early season injury toll, Rooster’s coach Chris Anderson finally has close to a full compliment of troops to pick from for this weeks clash. Only Chris Flannery (leg) is the notable injured first grader, with forward Nate Myles suspended until Round 9.
FORM:
After a solid start to the season, the Eels have lost their last two matches against the Bulldogs and Titans to slip back out of the top eight. They had the game in their keeping against the Bulldogs, yet somehow lost by three points before a virus ravaged side got lapped by the Titans last Sunday. While the bulk of their team is in reasonable form, the only thing worrying coach Michael Hagan is the current try scoring drought by prolific point scorers, Eric Grothe, Jarryd Hayne, Timana Tahu and Luke Burt. These four noted try scorers have only crossed for five tries between them this season, and they will be anxious to get the ball rolling against the under performing Roosters.
Until last Wednesday, the Roosters had no form to speak of having not won a game all year. But a confident and dominant performance over the hapless Dragons on ANZAC Day put some of the doomsayers to rest, with under siege five-eight Braith Anasta starring for the Tri-colours. Both Anthony Minichiello and Mitchell Pearce are just starting to strike confidence in their play, with the form of these two crucial to the Roosters chances.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Brett Finch vs Braith Anasta
The battle between the two former Roosters and NSW Origin team-mates will go along way in determining the victor of this match. Finch has slowly been returning to the form that saw him surprisingly represent NSW last season, whilst Anasta has been close to the Roosters best player all season. The pair has differing styles – Anasta prefers to take the defence on with his solid frame, whilst Finch will try to either kick or pass around defences to create opportunities for his outside supports. Both number sixes will be steering young half backs around the field, with Anasta in particular looking to continue his current form with NSW selections just around the corner.
PJ Marsh vs Craig Wing
Both of these creative hookers are former halfbacks, who given the chance would prefer to be playing with the number seven on their backs. Marsh and Wing have been in solid, yet not outstanding form so far this season, with the extended stints on the interchange bench frustrating the two handy ball players.
They both love to scoot out of dummy half to catch the opposition defences napping and both could find plenty of yardage this Saturday considering the size of both teams forward packs. Like Anasta, Wing is vying for NSW State of Origin selection over the coming weeks, and look for the crafty number nine to work on his dummy half kicking game in an attempt to impress selectors.
VERDICT:
Even though Parramatta has lost their past two matches, not much can be read into those two results. They lost narrowly to the Bulldogs that they dominated for all but the last ten minutes, whilst the majority of the top grade squad shouldn’t have even taken the field against the Titans due to a viral complaint. It would be no surprise to see the Eels get back into the winners circle against the downcast Roosters this Saturday night, as the Bondi based team has nit exactly been setting the world alight with their shoddy performances.
Whilst the Roosters did beat the Dragons last week, that result should be taken with a grain of salt due to the Dragons crippling injury toll and lack of confidence. With skipper Craig Fitzgibbon in doubt with a cheek injury, and four other players backing up from a physical City vs Country encounter, it will be no surprise to see the Eels win comfortably at home this Saturday night.
Parramatta by 10
Parramatta Eels:
Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith, Krisnan Inu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), P.J. Marsh, Aaron Cannings, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh, Daniel Wagon
Interchange:
Blake Green, Josh Cordoba, Zeb Taia, Feleti Mateo, Junior Paulo
Sydney Roosters:
Anthony Minichiello, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett, Sia Soliola, Amos Roberts, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, David Shillington, Craig Wing, Danny Nutley, Shane Shackleton, Craig Fitzgibbon (c), Anthony Tupou
Interchange:
Chris Beattie, Frank Paul-Nuuausala, Lopini Paea, Ashley Harrison, Heath L'Estrange, John Williams, Shaun Foley, Mitchell Aubusson, Joel Monaghan
Referee: Tony De Las Heras
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