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http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...se-of-what-they-can-offer-20110219-1b0kb.html
Eels show glimpse of what they can offer
Adrian Proszenko
February 20, 2011
Wests Tigers 10 Parramatta 30
Held back ... Tim Mannah is tackled in the Eels trial game. Photo: Lee Besford
SOMETHING old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (and gold).
That was the story at Campbelltown Stadium last night. Parramatta unveiled their new coach, some recruits on borrowed time and some vintage football in their first trial on Australian soil. And there might just be a lasting union in the halves.
This was a chance for new recruits Chris Walker, Carl Webb and Casey McGuire to shine. All played strongly but the latter stole the show. McGuire's last game in the NRL ended with a grand final lap and premiership ring.
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Four years have passed since he swapped Brisbane for baguettes but his spark from dummy half remains.
The former Catalan Dragon scored a try and made some incisive runs. He even enjoyed a stint in the halves. It will be hard to take the No.9 jersey off him on this form.
''He's looked good pretty much all summer really,'' Eels coach Stephen Kearney said of McGuire. ''We thought we'd give him a shot and start him there. He did well … Casey has always had the ability; he's played State of Origin footy. He's always been a fair footy player.
''The structure in which we're playing is helping him in that way.
''With the forward group there, playing off a Timmy Mannah play-the-ball, makes things a lot easier.''
McGuire was pleased to return to the club where his first-grade career began. ''It's good to be back playing in Australia - I really missed play in the NRL,'' he said. ''I always wanted to come back.''
The performance of the Eels halves was also noteworthy. So many questions revolve around the No.6 and No.7. Could Daniel Mortimer and Jeff Robson regain the spark that propelled the Eels to the 2009 grand final? How would they fare against the best in the business, Benji Marshall? It took only five minutes to get an answer.
Robson scored off a Mortimer grubber kick, the result of a rare fumble from, of all people, Marshall.
That moment set the tone for the evening. The kicking games of Robson and Mortimer - a weak link in a miserable 2010 campaign - were executed with surgical precision.
Of course, it helps when the forwards go forward.
The Eels pack outmuscled their Tigers counterparts and the scoreboard was constantly ticking. And Justin Horo wouldn't let the backs have all the glory, scoring two tries to hand the Eels a 30-4 advantage.
But the highlight was the sight of Nathan Hindmarsh striding out like a three-quarter. His shorts can't contain him and neither could the Tigers.
The skipper made an 85-metre dash to set up Horo's second. Tries were also scored more conventionally, with Jarryd Hayne producing a spectacular solo effort. Good signs.
Of course, it's only a trial. Tigers coach Tim Sheens won't be as upset about this loss as his last one to Kearney. But he won't want a repeat in their final hit-out against the Roosters.
Halfback Robert Lui was given some much-needed game time, Matt Utai had a run in the centres and Chris Lawrence had a short stint at five-eighth when Marshall came off with 30 minutes on the clock. Both teams finished injury free. As is the way with trials, the score will soon be forgotten. Perhaps the most pertinent figure was the crowd of 12,761.
