Peter Cassidy | rugbyleaguelive.com | 08/05/08 | 0
Parramatta Eels v St George Illawarra Dragons
Sunday 11th May, 3.00pm
ANZ Stadium
Referee: Sean Hampstead
HEAD TO HEAD
Eels 9 wins, Dragons 5 wins, 1 drawn.
FORM GUIDE
Eels: WLWLLLBW
Dragons: LWLLLLWB
It seems a bit of an uncanny coincidence that the PIRTEK Parramatta Eels are sponsored by a plumbing company, because they are without doubt the most hot and cold team in the competition (alongside the Dragons, of course).
A barnstorming 11 minute try-fest got them over the line against the Panthers last week, but some feeble defence, particularly on their own try-line, will have coach Michael Hagan a little concerned.
On a positive note, club stalwart Nathan Hindmarsh and strike-weapon Jarryd Hayne both look to be discovering some form, and the return of Ben Smith should tighten up the fringe defence.
St George Illawarra fans must be some of the most frustrated in the business. The Dragons showed what they are capable off when they blew the Roosters off the park 26-6 in their Anzac Day battle two weeks back, but replicating that dazzling form on any sort of regular basis seems beyond them.
Last week’s bye couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Red V – history shows it can be a real momentum killer.
Dean Young’s shift to hooker has been a master-stroke by coach Nathan Brown, while the form of Justin Poore and Ben Creagh is giving the Dragons plenty of good go-forward.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Both teams are capable of anything on their day. Whose day will it be?
KEY MATCH UPS
Ben Smith v Mark Gasnier
Smith makes his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury – and you can be sure that shoulder will be tested by Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper. Gasnier’s trademark in-and-away shuffle can catch even the most quick-footed defenders out and you can expect him to give under-done Smith plenty of attention. That, of course, is dependant on whether or not he plays.
Gasnier, along with teammate Jason Nightingale, will be backing up from Friday night’s Centenary Test.
COACHES CORNER
Considering the Eels are clinging to 10th and the Dragons down at 14th on the ladder leading into Round 9, a win here is looking more and more crucial for both these regular super-powers.
The key?
Consistency for 80 minutes. No mental lapses. No drops in intensity. Both coaches know the attacking power of their opponents – and they know how dangerous a slip in concentration could be.
The Dragons have a habit of falling into the panic trap. If things starting turning against them, Nathan Brown needs to make sure the old heads like Hornby, Cooper and Gasnier keep the team functioning normally… and grinding back the points through an effective kick-chase and dominance through the middle.
On a personal level, some of these players will take the field knowing a Blue jersey is on the line. The likes of Hayne, Hindmarsh, Cooper and Hornby will be all too aware that a standout performance could guarantee an Origin start – and a shocker could signal the end of their rep careers.
PUNTERS GUIDE
There isn’t a team I hate tipping more than these two. The Dragons are about a predictable as lotto numbers, and the Eels have made losing ‘should-win’ games an art form. If Hayne and Hindmarsh can turn out some quality performances, we’ll take the Eels by a whisker. The home ground advantage doesn’t hurt either.
The TAB has the Eels paying $3.10 to win by 1-12 in the margins market, and this would have to be our value tip.
History shows grudge matches between these teams can often be low scoring affairs, so take the ‘unders’ option in Unders / Overs betting.
CASUALTY WARD
Eels: Krisnan Inu – ankle (Rd 12), Josh Cordoba – shoulder (Rd 16).
Dragons: Jarrod Saffy – ribs (Rd 12)
BAD BOYS
Eels: -
Dragons: -
TEAM LISTS
Eels: Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Ben Smith, Jarryd Hayne, Eric Grothe, Feleti Mateo, Brett Finch, Nathan Cayless (capt), Mark Riddell, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Daniel Wagon, Chad Robinson. Interchange: Matthew Keating, Brendan Oake, Weller Hauraki, Junior Paulo, Kristopher Keating, Taulima Tautai, Todd Lowrie. (three to be admitted).
Dragons: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Mark Gasnier (capt), Matt Cooper, Chase Stanley, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Kirk Reynoldson, Ben Creagh, Stuart Webb. Interchange: Simon Woolford, Dan Hunt, Beau Scott, Michael Lett, Lagi Setu, Josh Morris (two to be omitted)
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