Semi Radradra proved there will be life at Parramatta after Jarryd Hayne as the blockbusting winger scored a hat-trick to spearhead the Eels’ 42-12 rout of Manly.
Radradra scored in the eighth, 34th and 53rd minutes to propel a tough and spirited Eels outfit to their an emphatic win in their season opener on Friday, Parramatta’s first match since Hayne announced he will play for the San Fransisco 49ers in the NFL.
With Hayne watching on, a trim looking Chris Sandow steered Parramatta around the park brilliantly, scoring two tries.
Up front Manly were dominated by a dynamic Eels pack and fell apart across the park in the second half – the ongoing re-signing saga surrounding Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran appearing to have sapped the Sea Eagles’ famous resolve.
New Eel Anthony Watmough charged into his former teammates early as the home side opened up a 10-0 lead after 16 minutes before 18,718 fans at Parramatta Stadium.
Radradra’s opener out wide was followed by Will Hopoate’s effort on the other side of the field, after a legitimate Cheyse Blair try for Manly was called back for a supposed forward pass.
The visitors surged ahead through tries to Brett Stewart (20th minute) and Blair in the 33rd minute, after losing Clinton Gutherson to a suspected serious knee injury in the 14th minute.
But Radradra’s second put the Eels ahead 16-12 at the break, after Junior Paulo was put on report for a dangerous throw on Manly hooker Matt Ballin.
After halftime it was all Parramatta.
An ugly knee lift from Manly interchange forward James Hasson on Watmough in the 41st minute sparked the home side and temporarily sent the ex-Sea Eagle off the field for tests.
Reece Robinson kicked a penalty goal after Hasson was put on report, before Sandow crossed for his first four-pointer in the 44th minute.
Radradra scored his third nine minutes later before recruit Brad Takairangi joined in on the fun in the 56th minute after a chip and chase from Sandow.
The Parramatta halfback scored his second out wide in the 65th minute to put the result beyond doubt, as Foran exited the match with hamstring trouble.
Hopoate enjoyed a relatively trouble-free night at fullback in his first game filling Hayne’s No.1 jersey.
