Matt Keating has ripped into some of his Parramatta teammates, accusing them of not trying hard enough, following the Eels’ dismal 46-12 NRL loss to Canterbury on Friday.
The hooker, who was making his 100th appearance for the club, was one of the few Eels players to emerge with any credit from the game, as Stephen Kearney’s side slumped to their eighth defeat of the year – the worst start by a Parramatta team in 52 years.
The Eels led 12-4 five minutes before halftime, before Des Hasler’s side reeled off three quickfire tries to stun their old rivals, who capitulated in the second half after a positive start that saw Parramatta complete their opening 15 sets.
Kearney said certain members of his team lacked the toughness to play at NRL level and Keating was equally damning when asked if the team were making errors because they were trying too hard.
“I don’t know if we are trying too hard,” Keating said.
“There seems to be some boys that are trying and some that aren’t.
“Steve talks every week about doing your job, but we don’t seem to be doing that. We look away for one moment and it burns us.”
Parramatta fell away badly in the second half of last year and only avoided the wooden spoon by a single point and Keating believes that’s still hanging over the team.
“It’s that mental toughness,” he said.
“When a team scores against us, we drop our heads. I can’t understand why we keep doing it.
“It’s down to a lack of concentration and individual errors, and it’s costing us every week.
“We need to hold onto the balls, make one-on-one tackles, work for your mate and do it for 80 minutes not 30.”
A shellshocked Kearney was subjected to a barrage of abuse from disgruntled Eels supporters as he made his way from the coaching box after the game, but found an ally in Canterbury coach Des Hasler.
Hasler sympathised with the plight of his opposite and urged the Eels to back the Kiwi Test coach.
“It’s difficult for Stephen and his club in what they are going through at the moment,” Hasler said.
“But the only way they can get out of it is to stick by him and one another and ride it out.”.
