Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Parra running out of props
At one stage of the season Parramatta looked to have more props than a theatre company, but that cavalry is suddenly looking very thin.
With Adam Peek likely to be out for six weeks, Parramatta will need to promote someone from Premier League, with no standout options.
Lee Hopkins will almost certainly be promoted into the starting side, replacing Nathan Hindmarsh and that decision will likely result in Craig Stapleton remaining in the second row to give Parramatta some size among the likes of smaller forwards Hopkins, Wagon and Widders.
Vella and Tsoulos both good against the Storm will keep their starting position with Chris Armit and Fuifui Moimoi on the interchange. Without Hindmarsh's eighty minute guarantee, the Eels will almost certainly go for another forward.
If Smith wants a prop to replace Peek, he doesn't have many options. Mal Kaufusi's form has seemed to taper of in Premier League and Josh Cordoba is full of talent but very inexperienced having only just been promoted out of Flegg. Smith could instead go with Shane Muspratt or Chris Muckert but neither have been overly impressive in the last few weeks.
With Adam Peek likely to be out for six weeks, Parramatta will need to promote someone from Premier League, with no standout options.
Lee Hopkins will almost certainly be promoted into the starting side, replacing Nathan Hindmarsh and that decision will likely result in Craig Stapleton remaining in the second row to give Parramatta some size among the likes of smaller forwards Hopkins, Wagon and Widders.
Vella and Tsoulos both good against the Storm will keep their starting position with Chris Armit and Fuifui Moimoi on the interchange. Without Hindmarsh's eighty minute guarantee, the Eels will almost certainly go for another forward.
If Smith wants a prop to replace Peek, he doesn't have many options. Mal Kaufusi's form has seemed to taper of in Premier League and Josh Cordoba is full of talent but very inexperienced having only just been promoted out of Flegg. Smith could instead go with Shane Muspratt or Chris Muckert but neither have been overly impressive in the last few weeks.
