Eels name big guns for Panthers clash
AAP Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:33:47
Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson has signalled his intentions to hit the ground running in 2010 after naming a powerful line-up for Saturday's NRL trial against western Sydney rivals Penrith.
Suspended dual international Timana Tahu is the only big name missing, with reigning Dally M player of the year Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh and new recruits Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton all named to play at CUA Stadium.
The Eels are hoping for a much better start than the one they had last season, when they were forced to rely on a dramatic late surge to sneak into the top eight.
Tahu's return to the Eels after two years in rugby union has been delayed as he continues to serve a two match suspension picked up in 2007.
Tahu was found guilty of a head slam on Melbourne centre Israel Folau in Parramatta's 2007 preliminary final loss to the Storm, his last game in rugby league before his dramatic code switch.
He is expected to return for Saturday week's clash with the Sydney Roosters in Gosford, leaving fellow centre candidates Krisnan Inu and Joel Reddy with 80 minutes against the Panthers on Saturday night to stake their claim for a regular season berth.
While the battle for centre berths is hot, so too is the list of candidates up front with skipper Nathan Cayless and Kiwi Test prop Fuifui Moimoi facing pressure from NSW Origin front rower Poore.
Squad: Luke Burt, Nathan Cayless, Eric Grothe, Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh, Krisnan Inu, Kris Keating, Matt Keating, Tim Mannah, Feleti Mateo, Fuifui Moimoi, Daniel Mortimer, Justin Poore, Joel Reddy, Jeff Robson, Shane Shackleton, Ben Smith.
