Tonight’s match in the NRL kicks off Round 2 of the NRL season with the match between Parramatta Eels and Canterbury Bulldogs. The opening kick is set to commence at 8:05pm local time with the match to be played at ANZ Stadium. Canterbury Bulldogs are the current favourites for the match with support to win away from home.
Round: Round 2, Thursday 8.05pm
Stadium: ANZ Stadium
Odds:
Parramatta Eels $2.30 vs Canterbury Bulldogs $1.62 at Sportsbet Australia
Parramatta Eels $2.35 vs Canterbury Bulldogs $1.61 at Luxbet Australia
Preview:
Watch Out Bulldogs: It was a rejuvenated Chris Sandow who broke the backs of the Warriors last Saturday and if he produces that sort of form again this week the Bulldogs are going to be in for a torrid time.
Sandow endured a tough 2012 season at the Eels with the weight of expectation and an under-performing team proving too big a burden to overcome, but the early signs suggest he could blossom under Ricky Stuart. He kicked off the year with 93 metres from nine runs, two line-breaks, a line-break assist, a try and six goals for a tally of 16 points.
Plays To Watch: It seems that Reni Maitua has become a key part of Eels coach Ricky Stuart’s attacking blueprint. Parramatta showed a clear preference for shifting the ball to the left edge against the Warriors, with Maitua the primary target when the play moves quickly. He played a significant role in three tries last weekend – throwing a superb offload for Luke Kelly to send Jarryd Hayne away in the first half; finding space for Ken Sio to score midway through the second half; and breaking the line himself for Hayne’s third. Watch for Canterbury’s right-side defence to be tested.
Key Match-Up: Reni Maitua v Tony Williams. There is no doubt that these two are shaping as key men for their respective sides in 2013. One of the Eels’ new co-captains, Maitua really stepped up to the mark last Saturday with 108 metres and two try assists to his name. But he can expect a very different challenge against the raw power of Tony Williams who is arguably the most destructive player in the Telstra Premiership. We can see plenty of football heading to that side of the field on Thursday night!
Where It Will Be Won: In the forwards, which remains Canterbury’s greatest strength despite the absence of James Graham, Sam Kasiano and Frank Pritchard. With Aiden Tolman in the front row, Tony Williams waiting on the edges and impressive youngster David Klemmer coming off the bench the Eels will face a tough task if they are to make it two from two to start the year.
However, the performance of captain Reni Maitua last weekend has reminded everyone that the former Bulldogs played a Test for Australia in 2006 while Parramatta’s bench looks particularly strong with both Fuifui Moimoi and Darcy Lussick (93 metres in 39 minutes) adding impact.
The History: Played 132; Bulldogs 70, Eels 57, drawn 5. The Bulldogs have won five of the past eight clashes, including the past four straight. Canterbury hold a 10-8 advantage at ANZ Stadium, winning most recently in Round 19 last year (32-12).
Match Officials: Referees – Shayne Hayne & Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials – Jeff Younis & Grant Atkins; Video Referee – Bernard Sutton & Justin Morgan.
Televised: Channel 9 – Live 8.05pm.
The Way We See It: Last weekend’s results have given us plenty of food for thought. We certainly expected Parramatta to show some improvement from last season under Ricky Stuart’s tutelage but even against a woeful Warriors outfit we couldn’t have predicted they would score 40 points.
Teams:
PARRAMATTA EELS:
Jarryd Hayne, Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Jacob Loko, Cheyse Blair, Joseph Paulo, Chris Sandow, Mitchell Allgood, Matt Keating, Tim Mannah, Reni Maitua, Ben Smith, Matt Ryan
Interchange: Ben Roberts, Darcy Lussick, Fuifui Moimoi, Kelepi Tanginoa
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS:
Steve Turner, Drury Low, Josh Morris, Krisnan Inu, Sam Perrett, Josh Reynolds, Kris Keating, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Martin Taupau, Tony Williams, Josh Jackson, Greg Eastwood
Interchange: Dene Halatau, Dale Finucane, Tim Browne, David Klemmer, Mitch Brown (one to be omitted)
