Eels v Sea Eagles: Talagi to debut; Vaega wings it
The high-flying Sea Eagles get another test of their credentials when they head to CommBank Stadium to face an Eels side eager to rebound from a loss to the premiers.
With Luke Brooks slotting in seamlessly at five-eighth and their forwards laying a sensational platform, the Sea Eagles have opened 2024 with impressive wins over heavyweights the Rabbitohs and Roosters.
Even the most ardent Sea Eagles fan couldn't have expected Brooks to hit the ground running in such spectacular fashion with his running game proving a constant threat and his ability to play either side of the ruck creating space for runners on both edges.
Having lost their past two clashes with the Eels at CommBank and lost Tom Trbojevic to a season-ending shoulder injury there in 2022, Manly will be hoping for a change of fortune as they look to go 3-0 to start the season.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Eels v Sea Eagles
The Eels were highly competitive in the opening half against the Panthers and led by two points at the break but two tries in two minutes to Sunia Turuva and Izack Tago took the wind out of their sails.
The loss of Bailey Simonsson to a head knock and Kelma Tuilagi to a shoulder injury tested the Eels' depth and as the game wore on but they were able to hang tough and will have taken plenty of positives out of the match.
Match: Eels v Sea Eagles
Round 3 -
home Team
Eels
7th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: A late switch sees Junior Paulo revert to the bench, with Joe Ofahengaue coming in to start alongside Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who brings up his 200th career game, in the front row. At the other end of the experience scale Blaize Talagi makes his NRL debut in the centres, with Morgan Harper pushing to the wing to cover for Bailey Simonsson (concussion). The 17 is as named on Tuesday, with Brendan Hands the replacement player.
Sea Eagles: No changes an hour before kick-off, after Tommy Talau dropped out when the squad was culled 24 hours before kick-off after suffering an ankle injury against the Roosters. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega comes in on the wing. Prop Taniela Paseka celebrates his 100th NRL game. Jake Arthur is the 18th man.
Match: Eels v Sea Eagles
Round 3 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Morgan HarperWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Blaize TalagiCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean RussellWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Joey LussickHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
-
Prop for Eels is number 16 Joe OfahengaueProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh Aloiai
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Karl Lawton
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca MorettiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryan MattersonInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Kelma TuilagiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 20 Brendan HandsReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Jake Arthur
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won three of their past four games against Manly.
- Manly winger Jaxson Paulo has scored seven tries in six games against the Eels.
- The Eels have won eight of their past 10 games at CommBank Stadium.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick requires 14 points to bring up 1,000 points for the club.
- Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
