Eels coach Brad Arthur has answered the lingering query surrounding make-up of his bench after two gamers in two rounds did not take the sector.
In Round 1, Makahesi Makatoa stayed on the pine for the entire 84 minute sport, whereas Wiremu Greig and Jirah Momoisea mixed for less than 40 minutes.
Then in Round 2, Greig performed zero minutes and Makatoa was within the motion for less than 14 minutes.
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Arthur additionally got here below hearth final season for carrying his son Jake on the bench for a lot of the season, regardless of the 20-year-old solely having the ability to play within the halves.
Against the Sharks, entrance rowers Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard each performed over 58 minutes — and the Eels coach stated he merely wanted them on the sector.
“We’ve got a lot of good players that start for us in Junior and Reg and I think they’re pretty important to the team,” Arthur stated within the post-match press convention.
“I think we need them, especially in tight games like tonight, we need them on the field for long periods.
“They’re our match-winners and that’s why we need them out there.”
Meanwhile, Eels recruit J’maine Hopgood continued his spectacular type in solely his second sport within the blue and gold.
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In Round 2, the lock ran for 129 metres, broke three deal with and recorded two essential attempt assists for Campbell-Gillard and Moses tries.
“He was good again tonight. I said in the pre-season, he just needed an opportunity to get out on the field and I still think once he’s played 10 to 15 games straight he’ll be better for us,” Arthur stated.
“But he does some good things with the ball, works hard defensively.
“A couple of things he needs to tidy up from tonight but he’s going really well.”
With Ryan Matterson returning in Round 4, Arthur has an enormous determination looming with Hopgood making the No.13 jersey his personal.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
