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Peter Cassidy | rugbyleaguelive.com | 03/07/08 | 0
AUDIO - About to tip? Catch the Big Marn's picks
AUDIO - Andrew Moore's Round 17 preview
Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers
Sunday 6th July, 3.00pm
Parramatta Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne
HEAD TO HEAD
Eels 49 wins, Panthers 27 wins, 1 drawn.
FORM GUIDE
Eels: WLWLLLBWWLBLWWLW
Panthers: LLWWLWBLWWBWLLLD
Anytime Sydney’s western rivals go head-to-head, fireworks are the norm. But with both lingering around the tail-end of the top eight – this grudge match is shaping as a crucial step in both team’s respective run to the finals.
The Eels shook off the ill-effects of a tense 16-14 loss to the Sharks by edging out a horribly depleted Melbourne outfit last Saturday night.
While a win over the reigning premiers can never be scoffed at – it was a match Parramatta should have dominated.
With nine stars on origin duty, the Storm fielded a reserve grade team – yet Parramatta never looked comfortable, eventually squeezing home 24-22.
That result has them rounding out the serious half of the ladder on 18 points.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are just one competition point shy of the Eels… a point which they would still be ruing after drawing with an under-strength Brisbane team last Friday night.
A draw, however, is better than a loss… and they had three of those on the trot before facing the Broncos.
This week they’ll welcome back excitement-machine Rhys Wesser in the No.1, with hot young rookie Lachlan Coote assuming the wing of Luke Rooney who is out with a hamstring strain.
Tony Puletua will also make his return, while workaholic prop Petero Civoniceva will no doubt back up after Origin III.
For the Eels, Fuifui Moimoi is back from suspension, while Jarryd Hayne pushes boom winger Tony Williams to the bench.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Both teams know how to score points, though neither like an arm-wrestle. Which team can dig-in and win the war of attrition?
KEY MATCH UPS
Krisnan Inu v Michael Jennings
After setting the rugby league world alight last season, Inu has struggled to re-produce that golden vein of form in 2008. While some of that can be attributed to injury, the rest comes down to confidence.
His 66th minute game-breaker against the Storm last week should help out in that department, as should the dazzling form of inside playmaker Feleti Mateo.
On the topic of game-breaking tries, Jennings notched up a crucial one in the 73rd minute against the Broncos to force the draw. The kid continues to develop into a well-rounded centre and there would be few in the NRL who could match him for raw speed.
Both these young three-quarters are capable of moments of brilliance, but which one will turn up with the right mental game?
COACHES CORNER
Attack doesn’t seem to pose a problem for these two outfits, but discipline and defence has been costing them dearly.
The Eels have leaked 313 points so far this season – by far the most of any team in the top eight.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are the highest ranking team (9th) to hold a negative points differential.
Contrasting the two, Penrith are on the ugly side of the stat ledger. They average four more missed tackles per game than the Eels, and have given away 17 more penalties this season.
Ball retention will be crucial here, with the most controlled, disciplined team likely to come out on top.
The go-to man for Parramatta will again be Mateo – the lumbering pivot has been a revelation this season and Penrith coach Matt Elliott will be desperate to shut him down with numbers in tackles. Mateo is capable of a sneaky offload anywhere on the park.
Elliott will also be hoping to fine tune his team’s execution. Penrith led the Dragons 12-0, and had countless chances to put away the depleted Broncos, but just couldn’t close out either match. Composure will be important if the tide starts turning against them.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Eels $1.36 – Panthers $3.00
This year you just can’t tip the Eels or the Panthers with any confidence… but then again, you can get burned tipping against them. While Penrith is certainly capable of an upset here, the Eels have shown glimpses of their best in recent weeks – and it’s a pretty impressive sight.
We’ll get on Parramatta, with a 1-12 margin to fatten up the return.
CASUALTY WARD
Eels: Ben Smith – knee (Round 18), Junior Paulo – knee (Round 20).
Panthers: Michael Gordon – cheekbone (Round 18), Adam Woolnough – knee (Round 18), Frank Puletua – eye (Round 18), Joseph Paulo – elbow (Round 18), Josh Bateman – pectoral (Round 21), Geoff Daniela – ankle (indefinite), Luke Priddis – knee (Round 19), Luke Rooney – hamstring (indefinite).
BAD BOYS
Eels: -
Panthers: -
TEAM LISTS
Eels: Luke Burt, Taulima Tautai, Krisnan Inu, Joel Reddy, Jarryd Hayne, Feleti Mateo, Brett Finch, Nathan Cayless (capt), Mark Riddell, Josh Cordoba, Nathan Hindmarsh, Daniel Wagon, Chad Robinson. Interchange: Matthew Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Weller Hauraki, Brendan Oake, Todd Lowrie, Tony Williams (two to be omitted)
Panthers: Rhys Wesser, Lachlan Coote, Michael Jennings, Maurice Blair, Brad Tighe, Wade Graham, Luke Lewis, Tony Puletua, Masada Iosefa, Petero Civoniceva (capt), Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse, Nathan Smith. Interchange: Matthew Bell, Junior Moors, Tim Grant, Keith Peters, Jarrod Sammut, Shane Rodney (two to be omitted).
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