Parra speed dearth centre of attention
- Christian Nicolussi
- From:
EELS officials must have been tempted a long time ago to hoist their No.3 and No.4 jumpers high up a flagpole and set them alight.
Tonight
Ben Smith and
Justin Horo will become the club's 11th centre pairing this season - the highest turnover of centres by any NRL club.
The outside backs headache for incoming coach Stephen Kearney began in November when
Timana Tahu was cut loose.
In December,
Joel Reddy had shoulder surgery and Eric Grothe called it quits.
During the year newcomers
Chris Walker and
Paul Whatuira hung up the boots, Reddy suffered a pectoral injury, followed by
Ryan Morgan and Jacob Loko.
Reni Maitua was given a game in the centres, as was
Jordan Atkins, before Kearney resorted to back-rowers Smith and Horo.
As one Parramatta official quipped yesterday: "We've had more combos than a Maccas menu."
Even though centre Esi Tonga will come on board next year - and negotiations are advanced with
Willie Tonga - Smith and Horo are ready for the challenge against injury-hit Melbourne.
The Storm have lost five-eighth
Gareth Widdop to an elbow injury. Centre
Maurice Blair, who would have measured up against Horo, is likely to wear the No.6.
Sika Manu (leg), winger Matt Duffie (sternum) and Rory Kostjayson are in serious doubt.
The Eels have the bigger concerns, forcing Smith and Horo to play out of position.
"I guess with all the injuries we've had it goes to show the depth isn't quite there this year," Smith said. "But we've got confidence in ourselves and you get on with it.
"There's no point making excuses. The forwards have barely had any injuries this year, but the outside backs have had plenty - the most I've seen during my time at the club.
"I started out at centre, and even though I prefer back-row because of the involvement and workload, I'll play wherever the coach needs me."
Smith would love to help the Eels cause an upset against Melbourne and secure a much-deserved triumph for skipper
Nathan Hindmarsh in his first game back at Parramatta Stadium since his 300th game milestone.
Horo, like Smith, never expected to find himself in the centres at this stage of the season but is prepared to roll up his sleeves opposite in-form Storm centre
Maurice Blair.
"Benny and I have played there in the past and I'm slowly getting used to it," Horo said.
"Steve told me I'd be playing there after the Broncos game and Jacob Loko went down. The centre and second-rower play 5m apart, and basically the only real difference is you time your run more off the fullback rather than the five-eighth.
"Your defensive work is also cut down by 10 or 15 tackles, so you get that extra energy to get in and take a few more hit-ups."
Eels fullback
Luke Burt was a late arrival to training yesterday following a minor prang with a learner driver.
The Storm, who have enjoyed plenty of heated battles with the Eels, have had a 10-day break since they beat Brisbane at home.
