Admin Team
23-07-08, 09:15 PM
http://www.nrl.com/portals/0/galleries/Fixture_Cycler_Images/Eels_V_Cowboys_Rd20_320.jpg
Eels v Cowboys Preview
Parramatta Stadium, Friday 7.35pm
CYNICS would say this shapes as the dullest match of the round considering the form of these two sides.
Parramatta have been the major disappointment of the season, going from near competition favourites in the pre-season to a side without heart who are teetering on extinction in 2008.
The other major disappointment has been the Cowboys, who look to have a mortgage on the wooden spoon considering their nearest rival is four points ahead of them.
At least they?ve had injuries and suspensions to blame, whereas the Eels have just been ordinary.
But, while cynics have plenty of ammunition, the fact remains this is a vital match for both clubs.
The Eels might be 13th but despite their horrendous play, they are still only three competition points from eighth spot on the ladder; they desperately need a win if they are to mount some form of challenge.
Coach Michael Hagan has made a few changes to the side that went down to Manly last start, switching Taulima Tautai from wing to centre, which moves Joel Reddy to the wing and also gives Kristopher Keating the opportunity to start the match at five-eighth which sees Mark Riddell move to the bench.
Wellar Hauraki and Brendan Oake have been cut with Josh Cordoba, Joe Galuvao and Broderick Wright selected on a five-man bench.
For the Cowboys, who are now on a club-record 11-match losing streak, this match is a chance to climb closer to the likes of the Bulldogs in the wooden spoon battle.
Changes have once again been made from the side who fell to Brisbane last Friday night.
Centre Ashley Graham is out injured which brings Ben Farrar into the backline.
Recently re-signed Mark Henry swaps from wing to fullback with Ty Williams moving back to the wing, while Anthony Watts has been dumped from the halves.
This means Travis Burns moves from five-eighth to halfback, Sione Faumuina from back row to five-eighth and Luke Harlen starts in the second row.
Australian representative Carl Webb is back at prop which shifts Ben Vaeau to the bench; he?ll be partnered by Shane Tronc who has earned a starting berth at Ray Cashmere?s expense.
Jackson Nicolau and journeyman George Gatis are the new faces on the bench.
Watch out Eels: While confidence isn?t one of the Cowboys? strong points at this time look out for an injection of enthusiasm from Carl Webb, Jackson Nicolau and George Gatis.
Webb rejoins the side with not only the motivation to rid his side of the wooden spoon but also to gain a place in the Kangaroos? World Cup squad at season?s end.
Having played in the Test match against the Kiwis earlier this year Webb looked a certainty but after losing his Queensland jersey to Ben Hannant and suffering an ankle injury, Webb?s star has faded a little.
If his ankle is 100 per cent, expect the man mountain to go about pummelling the Eels.
Nicolau is a youngster that many believed would be the next big talent at the Cowboys but his form has been indifferent and he now gets his first chance this season.
He knows full-well that this is an opportunity to prove he belongs in NRL football.
Gatis returns to the Cowboys? team almost five years to the day he last played for them.
Semi-successful stints at the Warriors and Huddersfield in between have come and gone but Gatis is now content to play for fun and it has seen his game really come along in the Queensland Cup.
Watch out Cowboys: Jarryd Hayne knows he really needs to put up or shut up in this match.
He has been given the chance in his preferred position of fullback and while he wasn?t great last week he did show some flashes of potential.
He?ll need to smash his average of 113 metres a game and add to his lowly five line breaks and four tries he has contributed this year if he is to prove his worth.
Where it will be won: The hard yards.
The Eels are making more yards both across the ground and with kicks so the boys from up north must defend stronger if they are to have a chance of an upset.
The Eels average 1330 metres gained across the ground each match compared to the Cowboys? 1203 metres (which is ranked last in the NRL) meaning they are more likely to be in good field position to attack.
The Eels also average 604 metres gained a game from the boot, which is third in the NRL, compared to the dismal 450 metres from the Cowboys which ranks them 15th.
Quite simply if the Cowboys don?t up their metres and reduce the Eels? by getting up hard and fast in defence and pressuring the kickers, then they?ll find it very tough to score points, especially without the brilliance of Thurston and Bowen.
The History: Played 21; Eels 11, Cowboys 9, drawn 1.
The Cowboys defeated the Eels 38-14 earlier this season in what was one of only three wins they?ve managed this year.
It means they have won six of the past eight against the Eels.
However of the 11 games played at Parramatta Stadium, the Eels have won seven.
Conclusion: Parramatta are lucky they are playing the Cowboys because on current form you wouldn?t tip them against anyone except the team running last.
Having the match at home is a real boost for the Eels and it should be enough to ensure they steady the ship for an assault on the finals.
If they are really serious about being a threat you?d think they?ll rack up a score and get their one-dimensional attack back where it was last season? dazzling.
Match officials: Referee ? Steve Lyons; Sideline Officials ? Phil Haines & Russell Turner; Video ref ? Chris Ward.
Televised: Channel Nine ? Delayed 9.30pm; Fox Sports 2 ? Delayed 11.30pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Source: http://www.nrl.com
Eels v Cowboys Preview
Parramatta Stadium, Friday 7.35pm
CYNICS would say this shapes as the dullest match of the round considering the form of these two sides.
Parramatta have been the major disappointment of the season, going from near competition favourites in the pre-season to a side without heart who are teetering on extinction in 2008.
The other major disappointment has been the Cowboys, who look to have a mortgage on the wooden spoon considering their nearest rival is four points ahead of them.
At least they?ve had injuries and suspensions to blame, whereas the Eels have just been ordinary.
But, while cynics have plenty of ammunition, the fact remains this is a vital match for both clubs.
The Eels might be 13th but despite their horrendous play, they are still only three competition points from eighth spot on the ladder; they desperately need a win if they are to mount some form of challenge.
Coach Michael Hagan has made a few changes to the side that went down to Manly last start, switching Taulima Tautai from wing to centre, which moves Joel Reddy to the wing and also gives Kristopher Keating the opportunity to start the match at five-eighth which sees Mark Riddell move to the bench.
Wellar Hauraki and Brendan Oake have been cut with Josh Cordoba, Joe Galuvao and Broderick Wright selected on a five-man bench.
For the Cowboys, who are now on a club-record 11-match losing streak, this match is a chance to climb closer to the likes of the Bulldogs in the wooden spoon battle.
Changes have once again been made from the side who fell to Brisbane last Friday night.
Centre Ashley Graham is out injured which brings Ben Farrar into the backline.
Recently re-signed Mark Henry swaps from wing to fullback with Ty Williams moving back to the wing, while Anthony Watts has been dumped from the halves.
This means Travis Burns moves from five-eighth to halfback, Sione Faumuina from back row to five-eighth and Luke Harlen starts in the second row.
Australian representative Carl Webb is back at prop which shifts Ben Vaeau to the bench; he?ll be partnered by Shane Tronc who has earned a starting berth at Ray Cashmere?s expense.
Jackson Nicolau and journeyman George Gatis are the new faces on the bench.
Watch out Eels: While confidence isn?t one of the Cowboys? strong points at this time look out for an injection of enthusiasm from Carl Webb, Jackson Nicolau and George Gatis.
Webb rejoins the side with not only the motivation to rid his side of the wooden spoon but also to gain a place in the Kangaroos? World Cup squad at season?s end.
Having played in the Test match against the Kiwis earlier this year Webb looked a certainty but after losing his Queensland jersey to Ben Hannant and suffering an ankle injury, Webb?s star has faded a little.
If his ankle is 100 per cent, expect the man mountain to go about pummelling the Eels.
Nicolau is a youngster that many believed would be the next big talent at the Cowboys but his form has been indifferent and he now gets his first chance this season.
He knows full-well that this is an opportunity to prove he belongs in NRL football.
Gatis returns to the Cowboys? team almost five years to the day he last played for them.
Semi-successful stints at the Warriors and Huddersfield in between have come and gone but Gatis is now content to play for fun and it has seen his game really come along in the Queensland Cup.
Watch out Cowboys: Jarryd Hayne knows he really needs to put up or shut up in this match.
He has been given the chance in his preferred position of fullback and while he wasn?t great last week he did show some flashes of potential.
He?ll need to smash his average of 113 metres a game and add to his lowly five line breaks and four tries he has contributed this year if he is to prove his worth.
Where it will be won: The hard yards.
The Eels are making more yards both across the ground and with kicks so the boys from up north must defend stronger if they are to have a chance of an upset.
The Eels average 1330 metres gained across the ground each match compared to the Cowboys? 1203 metres (which is ranked last in the NRL) meaning they are more likely to be in good field position to attack.
The Eels also average 604 metres gained a game from the boot, which is third in the NRL, compared to the dismal 450 metres from the Cowboys which ranks them 15th.
Quite simply if the Cowboys don?t up their metres and reduce the Eels? by getting up hard and fast in defence and pressuring the kickers, then they?ll find it very tough to score points, especially without the brilliance of Thurston and Bowen.
The History: Played 21; Eels 11, Cowboys 9, drawn 1.
The Cowboys defeated the Eels 38-14 earlier this season in what was one of only three wins they?ve managed this year.
It means they have won six of the past eight against the Eels.
However of the 11 games played at Parramatta Stadium, the Eels have won seven.
Conclusion: Parramatta are lucky they are playing the Cowboys because on current form you wouldn?t tip them against anyone except the team running last.
Having the match at home is a real boost for the Eels and it should be enough to ensure they steady the ship for an assault on the finals.
If they are really serious about being a threat you?d think they?ll rack up a score and get their one-dimensional attack back where it was last season? dazzling.
Match officials: Referee ? Steve Lyons; Sideline Officials ? Phil Haines & Russell Turner; Video ref ? Chris Ward.
Televised: Channel Nine ? Delayed 9.30pm; Fox Sports 2 ? Delayed 11.30pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Source: http://www.nrl.com