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TIM Smith is almost certain of a return to Parramatta's first-grade side on Friday night after Michael Hagan's Eels stumbled to their first loss of the season against the Warriors yesterday. While Parramatta managed 28 unanswered points in the second half against the Bulldogs in round one, they failed to stem a three-try black tide after the break at Mt Smart Stadium with enigmatic Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei finishing with a brace in their 30-16 win.
After a stint in rehab and shoulder surgery, Smith has been biding his time with feeder team Wentworthville over the past two weeks.
"We've said we wanted to give him a couple of games to give him his confidence and some match fitness - he's done that now," Hagan told The Daily Telegraph last night at the Auckland Crowne Plaza Hotel.
"We'll reassess how he is physically and assess everyone this week with Newcastle in mind.
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"He'll certainly be in the frame this week. We've got some quality players to come back in, in the next couple of weeks."
Smith and second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh (illness) are both set to return for Friday's clash with Hagan's former club Newcastle at Parramatta Stadium. Five-eighth Feleti Mateo is tipped to go back into the forwards with Brett Finch partnering Smith in the halves.
Hagan admitted it was not ideal that Jarryd Hayne, Weller Hauraki and Junior Paulo were playing their first comp games of the year yesterday after being stood down because of the infamous pre-season shooting incident.
The Eels took an early lead with Luke Burt's penalty goal and winger Eric Grothe's try when he dashed past the unique Vatuvei, who had a woeful start to the afternoon.
But not long afterwards, Vatuvei got one back when he beat Hayne and Grothe to the line and there were signs of the effervescent Warriors of old with hot-potato passing and daring raids.
Halfback Grant Rovelli kicked ahead and then took the inside pass from Jerome Ropati for the 27th-minute try that set up the six-point halftime lead.
After the break there was at least the embryo of another epic Eels revival. After yet another Vatuvei fumble, Hayne made a long incision and, on the last tackle, winger Joel Reddy crossed unopposed on the left.
Perhaps the turning point of the game came when Vatuvei actually took a bomb and ran 15 metres. After a Joe Galuvao fumble, the giant winger scored off Michael Witt's grubber; he looked to close his eyes and pray as he attempted to dot down without error.
"There was a period where we were put under some pressure, made some bad errors and they scored a couple of quick tries," Hagan reflected.
"There can be no questioning the effort but execution wasn't great at times. There's a lot to look forward to still. Some blokes haven't played a lot of football yet. We'll have to get better in the next couple of weeks and I'm sure that will happen."
WARRIORS 30 (M Vatuvei 2, G Rovelli, B Tate, E Tuimavave tries; M Witt 5 goals) PARRAMATTA 16 (E Grothe, J Reddy, L Burt tries; L Burt 2 goals) at Mt Smart Stadium. Referee: S Hayne. Crowd: 15,250.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23420616-5006066,00.html
After a stint in rehab and shoulder surgery, Smith has been biding his time with feeder team Wentworthville over the past two weeks.
"We've said we wanted to give him a couple of games to give him his confidence and some match fitness - he's done that now," Hagan told The Daily Telegraph last night at the Auckland Crowne Plaza Hotel.
"We'll reassess how he is physically and assess everyone this week with Newcastle in mind.
Related Links
- Wentworthville warrior: Tim Smith a class above
- Gallery: More great round two pictures
"He'll certainly be in the frame this week. We've got some quality players to come back in, in the next couple of weeks."
Smith and second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh (illness) are both set to return for Friday's clash with Hagan's former club Newcastle at Parramatta Stadium. Five-eighth Feleti Mateo is tipped to go back into the forwards with Brett Finch partnering Smith in the halves.
Hagan admitted it was not ideal that Jarryd Hayne, Weller Hauraki and Junior Paulo were playing their first comp games of the year yesterday after being stood down because of the infamous pre-season shooting incident.
The Eels took an early lead with Luke Burt's penalty goal and winger Eric Grothe's try when he dashed past the unique Vatuvei, who had a woeful start to the afternoon.
But not long afterwards, Vatuvei got one back when he beat Hayne and Grothe to the line and there were signs of the effervescent Warriors of old with hot-potato passing and daring raids.
Halfback Grant Rovelli kicked ahead and then took the inside pass from Jerome Ropati for the 27th-minute try that set up the six-point halftime lead.
After the break there was at least the embryo of another epic Eels revival. After yet another Vatuvei fumble, Hayne made a long incision and, on the last tackle, winger Joel Reddy crossed unopposed on the left.
Perhaps the turning point of the game came when Vatuvei actually took a bomb and ran 15 metres. After a Joe Galuvao fumble, the giant winger scored off Michael Witt's grubber; he looked to close his eyes and pray as he attempted to dot down without error.
"There was a period where we were put under some pressure, made some bad errors and they scored a couple of quick tries," Hagan reflected.
"There can be no questioning the effort but execution wasn't great at times. There's a lot to look forward to still. Some blokes haven't played a lot of football yet. We'll have to get better in the next couple of weeks and I'm sure that will happen."
WARRIORS 30 (M Vatuvei 2, G Rovelli, B Tate, E Tuimavave tries; M Witt 5 goals) PARRAMATTA 16 (E Grothe, J Reddy, L Burt tries; L Burt 2 goals) at Mt Smart Stadium. Referee: S Hayne. Crowd: 15,250.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23420616-5006066,00.html
