Eels rest fullback after Origin
Hayne plane lands
PARRAMATTA coach Brad Arthur will again rest Jarryd Hayne from an Eels post- State of Origin fixture with Chris Sandow named to start at fullback in Saturday’s NRL Round 18 clash with the Warriors in Auckland.
The Eels put in one of their most disappointing performances of the year when Hayne was rested for the 38- 12 Round 12 loss at Penrith two days after NSW’s 12- 8 away win in Origin I, with Justin Hunt and Ken Sio alternating at the back.
Sandow then earned man- of- the- match honours in Parramatta’s upset 22- 12 away win over Canterbury in Round 14 when he surprisingly moved into the Eels’ No. 1 jersey with Hayne absent before Origin II.
Hayne played in the 46- 20 Round 15 away loss to Melbourne on the Sunday after NSW’s Origin II victory, but with an onerous trip to New Zealand on the cards Arthur appears to have erred on the side of caution as they fight for a finals berth.
Centre Willie Tonga will captain the Eels with Hayne’s co- captain Tim Mannah sidelined with injury.
Darcy Lussick takes his place in the starting side with Fuifui Moimoi added to the bench.
Halfback Cooper Cronk has not been named for Melbourne’s Round 18 match on Saturday at home against Canterbury- Bankstown.
He is however expected to slot in at the expense of Ben Roberts if he gets through Wednesday night’s Suncorp Stadium Game Three after his return from an arm injury suffered in the series opener.
The Dogs have named their Blues trio – Josh Morris, Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds.
Daly Cherry- Evans has been named for Manly’s Friday night encounter with Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval in Sydney, despite the Sea Eagles indicating they are set to rest the playmaker over the coming weeks because of his hectic playing schedule and a continuing knee complaint.
Jorge Taufua has been named by Manly to make his return from an ankle injury but is no certainty to play.
Clinton Gutherson will likely take Taufua’s place if he is ruled out, with David Williams continuing to be out of favour.