Jennings double proves Parra are fast learners

Author: Alicia Newton NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 6 Apr 2019, 11:19 PM

Brad Arthur was pleased his side learnt their lesson from last week's loss to the Roosters when they found themselves in a similar position during their 24-12 win over Cronulla at ANZ Stadium.

Arthur indicated it was the side's attitude that had improved immensely since their wooden spoon season last year and their willingness to respond to internal criticism on turning a result around.

The Eels were locked with Cronulla at 12-12 midway through the second half, in similar circumstances to last week's loss to the Roosters where they went try-for-try with the premiers until they were blown away late.

But it was a different story this week with the Eels finding another gear to secure their third victory of 2019 and best start to a year since 2016.

Two tries to veteran centre Michael Jennings in the 52nd and 71st minutes saw the Eels kick away from a brave Sharks outfit.

Eels halfback Mitch Moses. ©Nathan Hopkins/NRL Photos

"It's got nothing to do with me, it's the players attitude. They've got a real drive in their attitude," Arthur said.

"When the blowtorch started to get applied to us tonight we stuck to our guns with what we needed to do and try to play field position and go with them.

"I thought both teams had a red-hot crack. The completion rates were high, attrition came into it and both teams were out on their feet.

"A lot of our boys were saying it's one of the fastest games they've played in.

"They came and grinded, that was our plan as well. They threw a lot of offloads and extra passes at us. It was pleasing our boys kept turning up. I was pleased we learnt our lessons from last week."

Arthur was positive but short and sharp describing Mitchell Moses' performance, which no doubt will put the Eels playmaker back on the Origin radar.

Eels centre Brad Takairangi. ©Nathan Hopkins/NRL Photos

Moses was without injured five-eighth Dylan Brown for the clash but linked with Jaeman Salmon to play a hand in three of four tries.

"Mitch was calm, he stuck to the plan, kicked well and made his tackles," Arthur said.

"Jaeman was good, he needs to play a secondary role to Mitch. He got the ball to Laney [Shaun Lane] and Jenko when needed and pushed up in defence."

Arthur said the Eels had one final job against the Raiders in Canberra next week before the excitement of playing in front more than 30,000 at Bankwest Stadium in round six.

"It would be nice to go back to a stadium where the crowd is going to be right on top," Arthur said.

"The crowd can definitely help you at periods of the game but we've still got two weeks to go."