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Eels v Sharks: Mitch, Gutho return; Rudolf back on deck

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First v 15th shapes as a total mismatch on paper but the Eels will fancy their chances against a Sharks side without Origin call-ups Nicho Hynes and Cam McInnes. 

The Sharks will be thrilled to see two of their in-form stars handed starting roles in Michael Maguire's Blues but now face a tough challenge to stay on top without their skipper and halfback.

Cronulla were blown off Shark Park 42-0 on Saturday after showing cracks in their much-improved defence and will be looking to go back to basics when they face Parramatta with a new-look halves pairing on Thursday. 

Parramatta will also be without their workhorse lock J'maine Hopgood after he was called in to make his Origin debut for Queensland but could be a whole new threat if star playmaker Mitch Moses and skipper Clint Gutherson make their return as expected.

The Eels' disappointing 42-26 defeat to the Rabbitohs came as their fifth consecutive loss and interim coach Trent Barrett should take some relief out of not facing a full-strength Cronulla outfit. 

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Team News

Eels: Wiremu Greig will start the game in his first appearance since Round 5, with Junior Paulo going to the bench in a late switch. A huge boost with skipper Clint Gutherson (knee) and halfback Mitch Moses (foot) both named to return from injury while centre Will Penisini (infection) is also back on deck. Gutherson's return pushes young gun Blaize Talagi to the bench while Dylan Brown shifts back to five-eighth and Daejarn Asi goes to NSW Cup. Brendan Hands is the new hooker with Joey Lussick relegated to the reserves. Joe Ofahengaue starts at lock with J'maine Hopgood in Maroons camp. 

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Braydon Trindall returns to the side to fill the void left by Nicho Hynes (NSW selection), while Jack Williams starts at lock in place of workaholic forward Cameron McInnes who is also away with the Blues. Toby Rudolf is back from time out with a knee injury to bolster Craig Fitzgibbon’s bench. Mawene Hiroti is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Thomas Hazelton
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Eels is number 17 Wiremu Greig
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jack Williams

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Blaize Talagi
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Toby Rudolf
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Shaun Lane
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Makahesi Makatoa
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Eels is number 18 Daejarn Asi
    Replacement for Sharks is number 20 Billy Burns

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored 11 tries in his past seven NRL games.
  • The Sharks have won their last three games at CommBank Stadium.
  • Eels youngster Blaize Talagi has scored a try in three consecutive games.
  • Sharks winger Sione Katoa will make his 100th NRL appearance.
  • The Eels have conceded at least 30 points in six of their past seven games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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