Eels v Rabbitohs: Niukore suspended; Johnston, Gagai out
Upstaged the previous week by the Dragons, Parramatta got their premiership bid back on track with last week's 14-0 shutout of Melbourne.
But was it sufficiently convincing considering the number of stars absent for the Storm?
Defensively the Eels kept their line intact, but they struggled to find their offensive mojo and Mitch Moses didn't have a good night with his kicking in general play.
Parra have to raise the bar on Thursday night against an in-form Rabbitohs side coming off last week's home demolition of Manly.
Match: Eels v Rabbitohs
Round 16 -
home Team
Eels
3rd Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Andrew Davey replaces the suspended Marata Niukore on the bench. Stefano Utoikamanu and Haze Dunster dropped off the extended bench an hour before kick-off after Will Smith and Brad Takairangi were cut from the squad on Wednesday.
Rabbitohs: Centre Dane Gagai (hamstring) dropped out of the 17 on Wednesday with the club erring on the side of caution with his injury. Rookie Steven Marsters comes into the backline. Alex Johnston (head knock) is out with Corey Allan taking his place on the wing. Liam Knight returns on the bench in place of Kurt Dillon.
Jed Cartwright was the other player to drop out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off while Troy Dargan and Kurt Dillon dropped off the extended bench on game day.
The Rabbitohs are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory.
Match: Eels v Rabbitohs
Round 16 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Corey Allan
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael JenningsCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Rabbitohs is number 19 Steven Marsters
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake FergusonWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'A
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Bayley Sironen
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan BrownLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ray StoneInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Andrew DaveyInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Liam Knight
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Kane EvansInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick Mago
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Keaon Koloamatangi
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Mitch Moses v Adam Reynolds. Moses will be keen to bounce back to his best after an up-and-down performance last week. He needs to get his kicking and passing game right and pick his moments when to run. Reynolds has one of the best kicking games in the business and will be relishing the challenge against Moses.
Contenders or pretenders? Rabbitohs face Eels test
Stat Attack
The Eels claimed bragging rights in their only meeting with the Bunnies last year, turning a 14-2 half-time lead into a 26-14 victory in their round 12 clash.
Props Tevita Tatola and Tom Burgess were the only try-scorers for the Rabbitohs, while Blake Ferguson, Clint Gutherson, Maika Sivo and Josh Hoffman scored Parra's tries. Ferguson is in the midst of the longest try-scoring drought of his career and will be hoping for a change of luck on Thursday night at Bankwest Stadium.
