Eels can win without Fui: Widders

Super-sub Dean Widders has declared Parramatta can continue its resurgence despite the likely absence of powerhouse prop Fui Fui Moi Moi for the rest of the NRL season. Moi Moi is likely to be suspended for the remainder of the season after being sent off for a high shot on opposing prop Brent Kite in his side's 31-18 win over Manly.

The New Zealand A representative will be sorely missed, as fellow Eels props Aaron Cannings, Adam Peek, Michael Vella and Justin Tsoulos are all sidelined with injury.

However, Widders believes the Eels have the depth to recover from the setback.

"We know that but we'll have someone step up from our reserve grade, we've got a lot of talented players there," Widders said.

"We know we'll need to dig a little bit extra in the next couple of weeks, we've got blokes than can do the job.

"Hindy (Nathan Hindmarsh) has been fantastic playing front row and Nathan Cayless has probably been in the form of his career.

"We'll keep stepping up and it might even mean a different style of play for us."

Moi Moi has been in devastating form during Parramatta's six-match winning streak, but a hefty suspension is likely to end his season prematurely for the second year in a row. Last year, the Parramatta cult hero was rubbed out for nine games, including the entire finals series, after a reckless challenge on Brisbane's Berrick Barnes.

"(Winning) was a good feeling, but in saying that losing Fui wasn't good," Widders said.

"We've already got five front rowers out injured in the joint at the moment.

"That's going to make it pretty tough, he's been probably our best player over the last four or five weeks.

"In this club, you've always got somebody ready to step up."

Parramatta's revival has them on the cusp of the top eight, setting up a blockbuster clash against St George Illawarra.

"That's probably one of the toughest games in the competition, they're one of the favourites to win it," Widders said.

"To come up against them next Friday night is a big game.

"The good thing is, we improved last week on the week before and this week we improved on last week.

"We'll just keep going that way.

"It's a good feeling, it's a good balance between being confident but still knowing we have a lot of work to do, a big job to do.

"We're not getting carried away."

Taylor praises victory

PARRAMATTA officially revived their finals hopes last night with one of the most dramatic and gutsiest wins of the season.

Not even the 50th-minute dismissal of prop Fuifui Moimoi could derail the Eels as they withstood a Manly surge before kicking again for a 13-point victory - their sixth on the trot.

The problem for Jason Taylor and his team is they will probably be without Moimoi for an extended period after his nasty high tackle on Sea Eagles prop Brent Kite.

But they are issues for tomorrow when the match review committee grades the tackle. Last night the Eels could reflect on their charge to 22 points to join eighth-placed Cronulla.

Taylor remained tight-lipped about the Moimoi incident but lauded his team's brave win.

"For us to do the job in the last 30 minutes with only 12 men was a great effort,'' Taylor said.

"It was our best win over the last few weeks, that's for sure.

"I haven't had a look at it (Moimoi's tackle), but when we lost Fui, we got a bit panicky and played individually a bit defensively and were all over the place. When we settled down, we did a great job to finish the game and outscored them with a man down.''

When the dust settles this weekend, the Eels will likely finish in ninth spot - setting up a blockbuster clash against StGeorge Illawarra at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.

On form, the 2005 minor premiers should make the finals, but Taylor is keeping a lid on the emotion.

"I've said all along, I would have been disappointed if we didn't finish the year playing as well as we can,'' he said. "That's all we can do at the moment. There's still a long way to go.

"Now that we've got this close, it doesn't mean we say, `If we don't make it, we've failed'. We've done a great job to get here.

"If that's good enough to get us in the eight, then great. If it's not, I won't be disappointed.

"The thing I wanted to avoid was having a season where there are seven or eight games to go and we say, 'Oh, there's eight to go, let's get it over with ... now there's seven, now six.

"I've been part of those seasons before and it's not enjoyable. We want to finish strongly now. We're certainly believing in each other.''

The Eels led 24-6 at the time of Moimoi's dismissal and had to weather a fierce fightback from Manly, who scored three tries in 17 minutes to trail by six points with 10 minutes to play. But a try to Luke Burt in the 72nd minute put Manly to bed, before a John Morris field goal applied salt to the wound. Eels interchange weapon Dean Widders said the side was building irresistible momentum in the run to the finals.

Manly utility Shayne Dunley was reported for kneeing Jarryd Hayne in the 32nd minute - and coach Des Hasler vowed to contact referee boss Robert Finch over the performance of Clark.

"There were some consistency issues around the ruck that I'll ask Robert Finch about,'' Hasler said. "Players were a little bit frustrated with the ruck calls.

"We thought we had a chance there to win the game, but all credit to Parramatta. When they were down to 12 men they rose to the occasion.''

PARRAMATTA 31 (L O'Dwyer 2, L Burt 2, J Hayne tries; Burt 5 goals, J Morris field goal)

MANLY 18 (S Matai, P Stephenson, C Hicks, L Williamson tries; M Orford goal).Referee: S Clark. Crowd: 15,404.

The Sunday Telegraph

Eels juggernaut still on track

The Eels kept their finals hopes alive with a 31-18 win over Manly in their round 21 clash at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

It was Parramatta's sixth-straight win and moved them to ninth place on the NRL ladder, level on 22 points with four other sides.

Only superior percentage kept them outside the top eight ahead of the completion of this weekend's round.

Luke O'Dwyer and Luke Burt scored two tries each for the Eels while Jarryd Hayne also crossed, giving him 13 four-pointers in seven matches.

Burt converted all five tries and John Morris added a field goal.

Steve Matai, Paul Stephenson, Chris Hicks and Luke Williamson posted Manly's tries with Matt Orford adding just one conversion.

The Eels seemed to be travelling nicely when they led 18-8 at half-time and they moved 16 points ahead soon after when O'Dwyer crossed for his second converted try.

However, the match took a sharp turn in favour of the Sea Eagles when Fui Fui Moi Moi was sent off in the 50th minute for a high shot on Manly prop Brent Kite.

The Sea Eagles capitalised on the one-man advantage to score tries through Hicks and Williamson and with Orford's conversion they trailed by just six points.

But the Eels responded when it counted and a converted try to Burt and Morris' field goal ensured a 13-point victory.

They next meet St George Illawarra at Parramatta Stadium while Manly have the bye.

Eels Need to Beat Tough Sea Eagles

Along with Melbourne, Parramatta have been the form team of the NRL competition at present, and it has come from hard work and dedication as well as taking a uniform approach to attack and defence since Jason Taylor has taken over as coach.

Coinciding with Taylor’s appointment has been an undefeated streak of six including Newcastle, Canberra and most recently the Wests Tigers, and the Eels will be looking to add Manly to that list on Saturday night, with a win necessary to stay in touch with the top eight.

Manly coach Des Hasler thinks that it will be a competitive game saying “both teams have good aggressive forward packs and the one who handles the conditions better, and makes fewer errors should win”.

Hasler hinted that the kicking game of Matt Orford could play a big part and that “Orford would steer the team around the park well”.

There were some who thought that Manly were lucky to defeat the Panthers last week, but they have been churning out the wins regularly, suggesting that luck has little to do with it, and their forward pack has been impressive.

For Parramatta Jarryd Hayne has been in scintillating form scoring ten tries from his last four matches, and providing a real spark for the Eels in attack.

Eels coach Taylor has said “Jarryd himself would not have expected to score as many tries as he has, but I will be looking for him to continue to play as well in general play”.

Hasler while wary of Hayne’s pace has dismissed many of his tries as being “opportunistic, and we will not be throwing him intercepts”.

The Manly coach also said “that he thinks the Eels have a few chinks and when it gets to that stage in the game we will see where it ends up”.

Hasler is possibly alluding to the sometimes suspect inside defence of Eric Grothe on the wing, but only time will tell where the Sea Eagles target their attack.

The battle between Fui Fui Moi Moi and Brent Kite should be all important to the outcome as both men get their teams going forward and according to Taylor “Moi Moi has been leading the team, he makes an impact every time he runs the ball and is playing more minutes”.

The Eels have to keep it going this week and a chance at entering the top eight will beckon, while Manly are fast closing in on the top four and would be keen to finish there.

It is worth noting that The Eels have a solid recent record over the Sea Eagles.

Hasler said there is no chance of star centre Steven Bell playing, but captain Ben Kennedy is a certain starter.

Look for this to be a tight game, and with the Eels season on the line it should provide a finals atmosphere, and they may just get over the line against the Sea Eagles.

Source: NRL

Eels needed to restore pride: Cayless

It wasn't a crisis meeting or a Churchillian speech or a secret pledge by senior players.

The reason for Parramatta's stunning return to form, according to captain Nathan Cayless, was the need to restore dented pride.

Along with Melbourne, the Eels are currently the hottest team in the NRL and could move into the top eight for the first time this season with a home win against arch-rival Manly on Saturday night.

While Jason Taylor has been credited with bringing the fun factor back into the blue and gold camp since he took over as head coach when Brian Smith departed after round 10, Cayless said it was the hurt of being near the bottom of the ladder that sparked his team into action.

"Everyone just realised we just have to knuckle down and work hard, doing extra training, all that sort of stuff," Cayless said.

"Your pride gets dented when you're losing games and you're down the bottom of the ladder.

"It's good the way things have been going, but we haven't achieved anything.

"A lot of things happened at the start of the year, you can't pinpoint it to any one thing.

"There's a lot of things that weren't happening for us on the field and there was a lot of stuff happening off the field.

"We were getting hammered by the media, everywhere we were getting hammered.

"Now we have come together as a team.

"In that period, we couldn't get any lower so the only way for us was to go up.

"That's what we're doing and we just have to keep working hard and see how we go."

The Eels have won five consecutive matches to climb to within two points of the top eight, but face the sternest test of their title credentials against Manly on Saturday.

They come up against a Sea Eagles side that welcomes back centre Steve Bell (cheekbone) and fullback Brett Stewart (shoulder) from injury, with rumours circling that Test back rower Steve Menzies could make a shock return from a broken hand.

Cayless played down talk of turning the resurgence into a semi-final appearance, but admitted a win against the Eagles was critical.

"Every game for the last six weeks is pretty big for us and this is another game we have to win to stay in touch," Cayless said.

"Every week we'll just go out and play as well as we do and if we win, we do, but as long as we know we've give it our best shot and that's the way we'll look at the rest of the season.

"It's a good frame of mind to be in.

"You can look at it at two ways, these tough games coming up.

"You can look at it and be really nervous and start worrying about things or you can get out there and enjoy the challenge.

"That's the sort of path that we're going to take.

"We'll rip in and see how we go."

© 2006 AAP

Punters plunge on Eels to reach finals and go all the way

THE Parramatta bandwagon continues to grow with punters flocking to get on the team that isn't yet in the grand final equation.

"I've seen nothing like it before," TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said.

"Parramatta continue to be the best-backed team to win the NRL premiership and that is unprecedented for a team that isn't even in the top eight at this stage of the season."

A mid-season form slump and internal drama at Parramatta that resulting in a coaching reshuffle had the sometimes electric Eels out to $67 to win the competition.

"But they are now into $13 and are the absolute worst way for TAB Sportsbet in premiership betting," Munsie said. "

Last Wednesday they were at $26 and after steady support at that quote they came into $21 and then $17 before they defeated the Wests Tigers. After they won that game we trimmed them up to $15, and a punter had $5000 on them to win the grand final at that price on Wednesday, so they are now $13.

"They are favourites to beat Manly on Saturday night but we hope their five-game winning run comes to an end and the finals hopes evaporate. If they win the grand final the Eels are a six times worse result for us than any other team and that would mean it would be an absolute haemorrhage."

Eels line hardest to cross

PARRAMATTA's recent defence is the best in the league, just ahead of that of premiership frontrunner Melbourne.Since the Eels' belated charge towards the finals started in round 15, Parramatta has conceded fewer tries than any other team in the NRL and have won all five games.

Opposition teams have only managed to cross Parramatta's tryline nine times, with Storm, a side lauded for its watertight defence, the next best with just 10 tries conceded in the same period.

The Bulldogs (13), Brisbane (14) and New Zealand Warriors (14) round out the top five.
All teams except the Bulldogs have had a bye.

Eels second rower Nathan Hindmarsh said the team's newfound bite in defence had helped to take the club from 14th on the ladder five matches ago to 10th and within sight of the top eight after beating Wests Tigers 34-6 on Sunday.

"Our attitude has changed a bit," Hindmarsh said.

"We're working a lot more for each other, whereas, at the start of the season, I suppose we were more individuals.

"You've got to look after the player beside you and (defence is) about getting up when you're absolutely buggered and making the next tackle if you have to.

"Our defence wasn't that bad at the start, it was just inconsistent.

"This time we're defending for the full 80 minutes instead of defending in 20-minute patches, like we were at the start of the season."

The Eels have accounted for South Sydney (30-10), Canberra (18-12), Newcastle (46-12), the Warriors (20-12) and Wests Tigers (34-6) since they began their late challenge.

Storm, by comparison, has taken on and beaten some genuine contenders for the title, including the Bulldogs (16-12) and Brisbane (10-4).

Canberra (22-12), Newcastle (24-16) and the Sharks (28-12) round out the sides losing to Melbourne.

"It's nice we're matching a side that's leading the comp by six points, but we've played a few different teams than they have," Hindmarsh said.

"But we are starting to enjoy it again and there are a few more smiles around. If we keep the ball rolling, who knows what could happen at the end of the year?"

Hindmarsh paid tribute to coach Jason Taylor, who was appointed in a caretaker role following the decision by Brian Smith to walk out on May 15 after 10 seasons at the helm.

The Test second rower also said there was no telling how far the side could go if it maintained its defensive mindset, especially against fifth-placed Manly welcoming back Brett Stewart, Steve Bell and Steve Menzies at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

"I don't think we won any back to back at the start of the season, and it was the Canberra and then the Newcastle game after that where we really got a lot of confidence," Hindmarsh said.

"Once you get your confidence back, players get faith in their own ability back and it all seems to fit in."

Just as impressive as the Eels' defensive effort over the past six weeks has been their attack.
After losing halfback Tim Smith with a broken collarbone against Newcastle earlier this month, it was widely believed the Eels' momentum would come to a grinding halt.

However, New Zealand international Jeremy Smith, who will join Taylor at Souths next year, was called in the following week after serving a four-match ban for pushing referee Sean Hampstead.

"Jezza was playing there a bit, while Timmy was playing reserve grade, so we knew what he was capable of because he'd been playing well," Hindmarsh said.

"It's sad to see we've got to let players like Jeremy go because we're still developing him and he's a good player to have around in your club."

The Australian

RD20-Eels stun Tigers

Wests Tigers' premiership defence is in tatters after captain Brett Hodgson sustained a serious knee injury in their 34-6 NRL loss to a resurgent Parramatta at Telstra Stadium.

Teenaged Eels sensation Jarryd Hayne continued his try-scoring feats, bagging a double to take his tally to 12 tries from nine appearances as the visitors kept their finals hopes alive with their fifth-straight win.

The Eels now leapfrog the Tigers on the competition table and are just one win out of the top eight, while the premiers will need to win at least four of their remaining five matches to have any chance of defending their title.

Hodgson sustained suspected medial ligament damage when his right knee twisted awkwardly in a 18th minute tackle by centre Luke O'Dwyer. The makeshift pivot was medicabbed off the field and is expected to be out for at least a month.

While Hayne, who has now scored 10 tries in his last four games, provided the sparkle with the football, it was the Eels' goal-line defence which was again the key to the result.

After repelling the Tigers for 21 consecutive tackles early in the match, O'Dwyer intercepted a Robbie Farah pass and linked up with Hayne, who completed and then converted the 90-metre movement.

The premiers, enjoying the majority of possession and field position, levelled the scores in the 35th minute when Farah burrowed over from dummy half. Replays suggested opposing rake Mark Riddell may have prevented the ball from being grounded, but video referee Steve Nash gave the benefit of the doubt to the home side.

But the Eels quickly regained the advantage, scoring two tries in the three minutes before the main break. Halfback Jeremy Smith scored the first, stepping and spinning past three tacklers in a solo 20-metre run to the line.

And then with the halftime buzzer sounding in the background, Hayne intercepted a Scott Prince pass to run 97m to score his 12th try of the year and hand his side a 16-6 advantage.
Just three minutes after the resumption, Eels fullback Wade McKinnon all but ended the contest when he finished a superb long-range movement.

And late tries to O'Dwyer and workaholic forward Nathan Hindmarsh not only ensured victory but an improved for-and-against for the Eels.

Source: AAP

Tigers vs Eels

Fulltime Score

Tigers 6 vs 34 Eels

Another great win by the Blue and Golds. It was a 6 try to 1 demolition job by the mighty Eels to continue their barnstorming run.

Jarryd Hayne scored two tries, other try scorers were Jeremy Smith, Wade McKinnon, Luke O'Dwyer, and our resident Champion Nathan Hindmarsh grabbed the last try of the match in the 78th minute.

Mark Riddell got four conversions and Jarryd Hayne one coversion.

Full Report to come.

Tigers vs Eels

Score Update

After 50 mins the Eels lead 22 -6.

Jarryd Hayne is again amongst the point scoring, having already scored two tries and slotted over a conversion.

Another good 30 mins of football and the Eels will be well primed to make a strong charge for the finals!

Finch off to Eels

Former NSW Origin halfback Brett Finch will leave Sydney Roosters to link up with Parramatta next season after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Eels.

The move comes after Finch had been given permission by the Roosters to negotiate with rival clubs earlier this week despite having another year left on his two-year contract.

His decision to join the Eels, where he has been pencilled in to replace the departing John Morris at five-eighth, brings to an end a tumultuous stay at the Bondi Junction club for the 24-year-old who was the subject of rumours he was unwanted at the Roosters at the end of last season.

It has been a mixed 2006 season for Finch.

He was the hero of the Origin series opener with a match-winning field goal for the Blues in the dying minutes. But last Sunday he was dumped to the bench by Roosters coach Ricky Stuart before being given only 18 minutes of game time against Cronulla.

"I'm glad my future is settled and I'm looking forward to ending the season on a high with the Roosters," Finch said.

"I will miss everyone at the Roosters, especially the players and supporters, but I am looking forward to a new start at Parramatta."

Finch will be reunited with new Parramatta coach Michael Hagan at the Eels next season, the two having worked together in the lower grades at Canberra.

"There is no doubt the opportunity to work with Michael Hagan once again was a great incentive, as was the chance to work alongside Tim Smith," Finch said.

"He is a player of enormous ability, and I believe we can do great things together for Parramatta. When I was given the opportunity to find a new club for next year, I told my manager that Parramatta was my number one priority."

Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said the club had secured a quality replacement for Morris who will join Wests Tigers next season.

"Brett has shown his ability in the pressure of representative football, and he will be a great asset to our strong playing roster for next year," Fitzgerald said.

"I join with everyone from Parramatta in welcoming him to the club."

Parra half likely target

Incoming Parramatta coach Michael Hagan wants to sign Finch as the Eels' five-eighth for next season, but the move may ultimately force boom rookie Smith out.

Contracted until the end of 2007, Smith enjoys close ties with caretaker Eels coach Jason Taylor and departed head coach Brian Smith. Taylor will link with South Sydney next season as an assistant coach, while Brian Smith will take up the head role at Newcastle.

Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald last night rejected suggestions the arrival of Finch might sit uneasily with Smith.

"I think they'll go well," Fitzgerald said.

As of today Smith is open to approaches from rival clubs after club chief executives yesterday voted 14-1 in favour of scrapping the controversial anti-tampering laws.

The move means elite players such as Sonny Bill Williams, Robbie Farah, Paul Whatuira, Jason Ryles and Paul Gallen may become the subject of bidding wars between their current clubs and rivals looking to recruit them.

The club chief executives applauded the move with only Parramatta supremo Fitzgerald voting against it. Under the new arrangement, rival clubs are allowed to approach a player such as Williams and open negotiations provided his existing club the Bulldogs get the final right of reply on retaining him.

St George-Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust last night commended the move, suggesting it would make the previously tainted issue of player negotiations "more transparent".

"At the end of the day, what's wrong with people roundly talking to each other as long as the clubs that they're presently contracted to get a right to be in the equation," Doust said.

"I've got no problem with players thinking and talking about their future going forward provided their current club isn't left out by virtue of a clandestine deal.

"It's a tough issue but this appears to be a fairer way of handling things in the eyes of everyone concerned, especially the fans."

The NRL initially floated scrapping June 30 last month after coming under constant criticism from clubs claiming the rules were being ignored and broken. South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson ridiculed the previous anti-tampering laws surrounding June 30, declaring it was a rule that wasn't policed.

"Any rule that can't be policed isn't a rule so it was a commonsense approach," Richardson said.

"Any system that's clear and open is a positive step forward and this new system looks to be supporting both of those concepts."

The NRL and the Rugby League Professionals Association will continue to workshop new guidelines for player negotiations.

The Daily Telegraph

Eels make a play for unwanted Finch

PARRAMATTA chief executive Denis Fitzgerald last night confirmed his club's interest in Brett Finch, saying incoming coach Michael Hagan was keen on signing the Sydney Roosters utility.

Fitzgerald said a reported suggestion that he was against the Eels picking up Finch was incorrect and that the club was prepared to negotiate with the player on Hagan's recommendation.

"The situation is that the Roosters have given Brett permission to talk to other clubs as long as he goes back to them before he makes a decision," Fitzgerald said last night.

"Our coach for next year, Michael Hagan, believes Brett is the goods and would like to have him on board and if it can be worked out then we would like to make that happen.

"Michael has had a bit to do with Brett in the past, when he was a lower-grade coach at Canberra and Brett was coming through there.

"So we are interested, but at this stage Brett is still contracted to the Roosters for next year, so we would have to work something out with them."

The Roosters are prepared to let Finch go a year before his contract runs up if he can arrange a deal elsewhere. The Eels are hot favourites to get him. Parramatta, whose five-eighth, John Morris, has signed for Wests Tigers next season, see Finch as a five-eighth, playing outside promising young halfback Tim Smith.

Finch, who played halfback for NSW in the first two games of this year's State of Origin, does not figure in the long-term plans for the Roosters. They have recently used Josh Lewis at halfback with utility Craig Wing at hooker.

Finch could land a long-term deal with Parramatta now, as opposed to seeing out his last year with the Roosters and gambling on securing a good deal somewhere else then. Parramatta, meanwhile, have been saddened by the death of one of their former greats, Billy Rayner. Former Kangaroo Rayner, who was 73, played 203 first-grade games for the Eels and was a long-serving patron of the leagues club.

"I was very close to Billy and I'm very sorry at the news," said Eels chairman Alan Overton. "He was always a magnificent supporter of the club that he played for. We've lost a tremendous man."

Meanwhile, Queensland Rugby League managing director Ross Livermore will meet with Maroons coach Mal Meninga early next week to discuss the Maroons coaching job for 2007.
Meninga has said he may not be able to continue in the job because of business commitments, but Livermore hopes to convince him to stay on.

Queensland, under Meninga, came from 1-0 down in this year's State of Origin series against NSW to win 2-1.

"We've got two games of the series in Brisbane next year and we're hoping that schedule will make it easier on Mal," Livermore said.

"There won't be as much travelling as there was this year, when the deciding game was in Melbourne, so hopefully he'll look at things and want to stay involved.

"We would love him to do it again and I'm sure he would enjoy the challenge. That's why he got involved in the first place.

"It's just about fitting things in with other commitments and I'm optimistic Mal will want to try to do that."

If Meninga does stay in charge he will be opposite Graham Murray again, with the board of the NSWRL set to reappoint the Cowboys coach despite the Blues losing the series.

And Coal & Allied yesterday announced it would remain as major sponsor of Newcastle next year. The company came to the rescue of the Knights midway through last season, when the club was struggling financially.

Eels in pole position as Finch tests the market

BRETT Finch's impending move to Parramatta was a step closer last night after his manager and the Roosters confirmed the halfback was on the market.

The Herald yesterday revealed Finch was set to move to the Eels next season amid growing speculation surrounding his future. The 24-year-old's manager, Steve Gillis, yesterday confirmed his client had joined the player market. "The club has given him permission to look about on the proviso he gets back to them with any offers," Gillis told AAP.

Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said Finch was given permission to negotiate with other clubs on Monday.

"The manager, on behalf of the player, requested the player enter negotiations, and that was given," Canavan said. "The manager must come back to us, of course. We're just allowing him to investigate. Brett's on our player list next year. He may well be with us, but he might not be."

The Eels are expected to come up with the funds to sign Finch.

Cronulla, meanwhile, will "cop on the chin" a $10,000 fine yesterday issued to the club for fielding an unregistered player. The NRL's breach notice was for failing to register new signing Leon Bott before his first appearance for the Sharks last Sunday against the Roosters. Bott, who signed earlier this month from Brisbane, was registered with the NSWRL, but not the NRL.

"The bottom line is, there was a misunderstanding," Sharks chief executive Greg Pierce said. "He was a last training session inclusion. It's just one of those things. But we've got procedures in place to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Half the fine will be suspended subject to no further breaches of a similar nature within a 12-month period. In team news, Cowboys coach Graham Murray has again wielded the axe. With the Cowboys in danger of dropping out of the eight should they lose to Brisbane this Saturday, Murray has dropped Ty Williams, Ray Cashmere, Brent McConnell and Mitchell Sargent.

He recalled Josh Hannay, Paul Bowman, David Faiumu, Gavin Cooper and Robert Tanielu, naming Bowman at lock, skipper Travis Norton at five-eighth and Johnathan Thurston at halfback.

St George Illawarra have lost Mark Gasnier to a calf injury for Sunday's game against the Raiders in Canberra. Coach Nathan Brown has been forced to reshuffle his back line after centre Daryl Millard (punctured lung) was also ruled out through injury. Trent Barrett returns from suspension at five-eighth.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens has named NSW Origin fullback Brett Hodgson at five-eighth. Penrith coach John Lang said he was confident halfback Craig Gower (hamstring) would play against Manly on Sunday after naming him.

The Warriors yesterday signed Manly five-eighth Michael Witt for next season, at the same time re-signing rookies Patrick Ah Van and Sam Rapira to new three-year contracts.

Gold Coast have signed Bulldog Daniel Conn for three seasons. But the Titans have pulled out of the race for his teammate Nate Myles, who is expected to announce today he is joining the Roosters.

How Taylor transformed Eels

TWO months ago Jason Taylor was handed a Parramatta club in crisis. Today, he is in charge of the most improved team in the countdown to the finals.

So sharp have the Eels looked under acting coach Taylor, that former premiership-winning coach Warren Ryan predicted they will feature in the big end-of-season games. Parramatta had won just two from nine this year under long-time coach Brian Smith before Taylor took over.
They now have five wins from their past eight games.

While crediting the players for the club's amazing revival, Taylor revealed to The Daily Telegraph he had made some changes at the club amid a season of alcohol-related drama.
Rival clubs now privately fear playing the Eels in finals football.

"I suppose I have struck a chord with the players," Taylor said.

"They believe what I'm talking about - and they have gone out and done it.

"But it can't be for a couple of weeks ... you have to make it your lifestyle.

"The players have taken to everything I have asked. They are owed the congratulations.
"Their attitude has been superb and they have done everything that I have asked of them," he said.

Taylor said his approach was simple "common sense". "The more you win, the more enjoyable it is. Nobody likes losing," he said. "We have to train hard together, enjoy each other's company, work in the same direction, play and work as a team. We have worked harder in the past six weeks than they had earlier in the year."

Taylor said that he had "standardised" his side's attack and their defence.

"We've become more standard in a number of ways," he said.

"That, as opposed to chopping and changing because of who we play each week.

"You can fall into the trap of worrying about who you play. We just have to focus on what we do best."

Ryan, who won two premierships with Canterbury in 1984-85, has been highly impressed with the new-look Eels.

"The Eels are my long-shot tip to nail five of seven and sneak up to 28 points," Ryan said.

But Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens last night labelled Taylor's golden run as a "honeymoon period".

"That's the honeymoon period a politician gets and a coach gets," Sheens said.

"How long it lasts before the media come at you or before the players are unhappy with you because you drop someone ... while you're winning it tends to keep those sort of issues away but good luck to him."

The bad news for the Eels is that Taylor is headed for South Sydney in 2007.

Eels may seek steering Rudder

PARRAMATTA has earmarked former Newcastle utility Sean Rudder as a possible playmaking option if it is unsuccessful in luring Brett Finch to the NRL club next season.

Rudder, who partnered Andrew Johns at the scrumbase during the Knights' 2001 premiership victory, hopes to re-establish himself in the NRL after his contract with Catalans Dragons expires at the end of the Super League season.

The Eels are looking for a five-eighth after the loss of utility John Morris to Wests Tigers for next season, with Finch their prime target after Sydney Roosters gave him permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

However, Rudder, is seen as a possible fallback option due to his experience and utility value.
"He's a five-eighth, lock, centre, can play hooker, a bit of back row,'' Rudder's manager, former teammate Tony Butterfield, said.

"He's the sort of guy that could do the job for you in a number of positions.

"He's a player with 138 NRL games and 70-odd Super League games under his belt.

"Rudds is a tough bugger, he's virtually never been injured in all his time."

Rudder's former club has also expressed interest in signing him, as has St George-Illawarra, Penrith, South Sydney and the Roosters.

In other contract news, Wests Tigers are closing in on the signature of Richard Villasanti after tabling the former Kangaroos prop a two-year deal.

"He was on that Kangaroo tour not that long ago, and a player doesn't lose it just like that," Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said.

"We're looking for him to step up again and maybe step back up into rep football.
"That would be something we'd be aiming at.

"He's spent a bit of time at Balmain before; his wife's family comes from the area.
"It would be a good fit for both of us."

Villasanti has also received interest from his current club the Sharks as well as Super League side Hull, although the reigning premier is believed to have the inside running.

Finch is coming, no he's not

The mystery regarding Brett Finch and his possible shift to Parramatta has only got murkier this morning. While the Sydney Morning Herald that Finch is "set to join Parramatta next season", Ricky Stuart told ABC Online that the Roosters were not negotiating to offload Finch.
"Finch has a year left on his contract with the Roosters, but it is understood the Roosters would not stand in the way of his leaving...

The Eels, having missed out on Melbourne's Scott Hill, who will play out his career in England, desperately need a five-eighth and see Finch - with his utility value - as capable of filling that role.

"The switch would only come off if Parramatta were prepared to at least match the money Finch is on for next year, but it is anticipated that will happen," the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Warriors vs Eels
By the Clock:

Welcome to Mt Smart here in Auckland where it is the Warriors and the Eels.The Warriors have a couple of positional changes with Sione Faumuina coming from the bench to the 2nd row swapping with Awen Guttenbeil while Michael Luck comes in to the run on side with Wairangi Koopu dropping back to the bench.

For the Eels there is just one change with Ben Smith dropping back to the bench with Daniel Wagon moving from the bench to the centres.The Warriors are coming off their heart breaking golden point loss to the Bulldogs last week while the Eels ended Joey Johns' party with a 46-12 victory at Parramatta Stadium.

These two sides met at Waikato Stadium in round 2 with the Eels taking the points 22-14. Some breaking news here with Brent Webb injuring a groin in the warmup with Cooper Vuna rushed in to the fullback role for just his 3rd NRL cap.

1 min: Hampstead blows time on!

2 min: A good opening set for the Warriors as Rovelli finds touch just a couple of minutes from the Eels goal line.

3 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Jarryd Hayne keeps his try scoring tally ticking as he latches onto a drop ball from Manu Vatuvei and runs away to score the opening try.Riddell from out wide amongst some jeers can't convert the try. Eels 4-0

5 min: Nathan Fien down injured as he tries to tackle Fui Fui Moi Moi.

8 min: The Warriors are on the attack but a hospital pass by Grant Rovelli is knocked on and the Eels are off the hook.

10 min: TRY Parramatta Eels This time a drop ball by Simon Mannering inside the Eels half and no,it's Jarryd Hayne again to run away 60 metres to score the Eels' second!!! Riddell from outwide again misses. Eels 8-0

13 min: The Warriors on the attack now thanks to a penalty from a John Morris high shot.13 min: Vatuvei dives for the corner but as he is going out knocks the ball on.1

5 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Some gaps emerge through the Warriors' defence and Hindmarsh goes straight through and bumps off Vuna to score next to the posts.Hayne steps up for the conversion and slots it. Eels 14-0

27 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors A flat pass close to the line by Fien finds skipper Steve Price who crashes over next to the posts.Martin converts. Eels 14-6

29 min: A cut out pass by Jeremy Smith finds Jarryd Hayne who streaks down field but touch judge Steve Lyons has called it forward.Further replays show that it is flat.

33 min: A neat kick from Grant Rovelli earns a repeat set of six.

39 min: TRY Parramatta EelsA vital try just before the break for the Eels as centre Luke O'Dwyer slices through some poor defence to score in the corner.Hayne from the sideline misses badly. Eels 18-6

Halftime - The Warriors gifted the Eels with two simple tries to Jarryd Hayne thanks to some poor ball handling and as most coaches have said this year,ball control is a must for to win football matches.Second half underway...

45 min: A drop ball dives the Warriors good field position.

46 min: A grubber through by Rovelli is fumbled in goal by McKinnon but he just gets to the ball in time to knock it dead before a Warriors hand can get there.

53 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors It's a Warriors special!Mannering gets on the outside of his man,gets a freakish offload away to a man on the inside who then pops a ball to halfback Grant Rovelli who runs away to score.Martin converts and it's game on! Eels 18-12

56 min: The Warriors on the attack again as Hindmarsh takes out Rovelli when puts a chip over the top.

57 min: The Eels are off the hook as former Cowboy Michael Luck drops the ball with a gap looming.Now the Eels cough up on tackle one 10 metres out!

59 min: Video ref for a Warriors try...

59 min: No Try - Mannering is held up ingoal.

61 min: Another chance for the Warriors as Riddell knocks on in the play the ball.

64 min: With no-one within a country mile,Manu Vatuvei tries to retrieve a long kick in his own in goal and knocks on.

67 min: ATTEMPTED PENALTY GOAL Parramatta Eels Riddell just had the chance to put the game out of reach here with a penally goal from the Warriors being offside but he hits the post from next to the uprights! Eels 18-12

70 min: Crowd tonight 14,499

71 min: ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Parramatta Eels Riddell tries to put the Eels 7 ahead but misses. Eels 18-12

75 min: Not long to go now,the Warriors' season on the line here.

76 min: Rovelli puts a chip over the top and is taken out however Hampstead rules that it was accidental.

77 min: A shocker from John Morris as he kicks out on the full inside his own half!

78 min: Surely it's all over now as Faumuina pops a pass he shouldn't have.

80 min: PENALTY GOAL Parramatta Eels Riddell puts the game beyond doubt from right in front 30 metres out with a penalty goal. Eels 20-12

Fulltime

Widders ire over crowd abuse

New Zealand 12 Parramatta 20

PARRAMATTA'S Dean Widders was almost struck in the head by a bottle last night as the Eels overcame a hostile environment and a desperate Warriors outfit to continue their bid for an amazing finals berth.Widders said he "felt" a bottle go by late in the second half and saw spectators dob in the culprit.

Coach Jason Taylor also accused Warriors second rower Awen Guttenbeil of twice baulking goalkicker Mark Riddell.

He said Guttenbeil waved his hands above his head, walked around, threw water bottles and sprayed water in the hooker's direction as he lined up a crucial shot at penalty goal during the second half.

Taylor also said his players were abused by the crowd as they left the field.

"I don't know if it was thrown exactly at me but it nearly hit me," Widders said of the bottle.

"Maybe half a metre, I could feel it go past.

"It was pretty fiery. Usually it's good when we come over here, but there were some idiots in the crowd.

"The good thing was, when it happened, we all sort of looked over and the ref looked over and people in the crowd were pointing out who it was."

Taylor said the adverse conditions his team faced last night made the win, his side's fourth in succession, all the more satisfying.

"The crowd here were just giving it to our boys as they walked off the field, swearing at them and everything," Taylor said.

"We'll take the two points. It's always satisfying when you come to Auckland and win but tonight we played against a team that were really desperate.

"They knew their season was on the line and I think their fans did too. I think that contributed to that (bottle throwing) incident in particular."

Parramatta found itself clinging to a six-point lead until Riddell's late penalty goal sealed the win.

Winger Jarryd Hayne's two tries in the opening nine minutes - taking him to 10 in eight matches - had a touch of luck to them as both came from dropped balls by the Warriors.

Second rower Nathan Hindmarsh made it 14-0, before Steve Price pegged a try back for the Warriors. But hard-running Eels centre Luke O'Dwyer crossed for Parramatta just short of half-time for an 18-6 lead that proved decisive.

The Warriors lost fullback Brent Webb to a groin injury in the warm-up, but coach Ivan Cleary wasn't looking for excuses.

"Execution-wise, we just couldn't get it together," Cleary said. "Early in the game it looked like it might get ugly (on the scoreboard) but we hung in."

NEW ZEALAND 12 (S Price G Rovelli tries; T Martin 2 goals)PARRAMATTA 20 (J Hayne 2 N Hindmarsh L O'Dwyer tries; J Hayne M Riddell goals)Referee: S Hampstead.Crowd: 14,499 at Mt Smart Stadium.

Eels continue climb

The Parramatta Eels have extended their winning streak to four after sealing a masterful 20-12 victory over the New Zealand Warriors before a crowd of 14499 at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

With both sides showing solid form in their recent match-ups, the Saturday night fixture promised to be a tight affair.

However, the home side was dealt a cruel blow minutes before kick-off when ace playmaker Brent Webb pulled out of the match after suffering a groin injury in the pre-game warm-up.

Rookie Eels wing Jarryd Hayne looked ominous from the outset and quickly proved that last week's four-try haul was no fluke when he crossed in the third minute.

With the Warriors moving forward comfortably on attack, big wing Manu Vatuvei fumbled the ball into the waiting arms of Hayne who made light work of the scattered defence to score the opener from 25 metres out.

Five minutes later the speedster was in again for his second try of the night after another error from the home side.

Warriors centre Simon Mannering lost the ball forward in a strong tackle and Hayne was on hand to pick it up and charge 60 metres down the field to give the Eels an 8-0 lead.

The home side's best early opportunity came in the 13th minute but Vatuvei came up agonisingly short of the line after losing the ball just inside the corner-flag.

This prompted a quick resurgence from the visitors and three minutes later the Eels were in again when second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh slipped through a gap in the Warriors' defence to score.

Finally, in the 26th minute, the Warriors etched their way onto the scoreboard when skipper Steve Price broke through the line from five metres out to waltz under the posts.

The home side's jubilation, however, was short-lived and another defensive lapse in the closing stages of the opening half opened the door for Eels centre Luke O'Dwyer to plough through for an easy try to give the Eels an 18-6 half-time lead.

The Warriors came out with all guns blazing after the break but some steely Eels defence kept the hosts scoreless during the opening exchanges.

The stalemate was finally broken in the 53rd minute when Warriors halfback Grant Rovelli ran onto a pass from second-rower Wairangi Koopu to slip through for a crucial try.

Several minutes later the hosts looked to have levelled the score when Mannering burrowed over the line, only to be held up by some brilliant defence from Eels backs Eric Grothe and Wade McKinnon.

With 15 minutes left, Mark Riddell had a chance to seal the win for the Eels, but slammed his penalty from close range straight into the post.

But it proved to be of little consequence as some gritty defence from the visitors in the dying stages, along with a Riddell penalty in the 79th minute, saw the Eels come away with the much-needed competition points.

Eels 20
Tries: Hayne 2, Hindmarsh, ODwyer
Conversions: Hayne
Penalties: Riddell

Warriors 12
Tries: Price, Rovelli
Conversions: Martin 2

Eels on top of Warriors

A slick Parramatta outfit scored four tries to one to lead the New Zealand Warriors 18-6 at half-time in their round 19 NRL clash at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland tonight.

Jarryd Hayne claimed a double for the Eels while Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke O'Dwyer also crossed for tries. Hayne kicked one conversion.

The Warriors, who lost Brent Webb to injury prior to kick-off, scored one try through Steve Price, which was converted by Tony Martin.

Hayne opened the scoring for the Eels with two tries within the first 10 minutes of play. Hayne - who bagged four tries against Newcastle last week - pounced on a loose ball spilt in a tackle by the Warriors' Manu Vatuvei for his first four-pointer before taking an intercept to cross for his second.

Mark Riddell missed both conversion attempts and he was relieved of the duty when Hindmarsh scored the visitors' third try.

Deep within the Warriors' half, Hindmarsh took a flat pass before carrying a defender across the tryline and this time it was Hayne who was asked to add the extras, which he did with ease.

The Eels now led 14-0 and it was not until the 25th minute of the first half that the home side responded when Price crashed over from close range for his fifth try of the season. Martin converted to close the gap to eight points, but shortly before half-time the Eels added to their lead when O'Dwyer scored an unconverted try.

Resurgent Eels looking Ominous

How the New Zealand Warriors must wish they had struck Parramatta six weeks ago in the National Rugby League.

The Eels were in turmoil, veteran head coach Brian Smith had resigned and the drinking antics of their young stars was making all the wrong headlines in Sydney. Bar room incidents included teenage winger Jarryd Hayne biting a woman on the arm and halfback Tim Smith having a shoving match with test cricketer Michael Clarke.

On the field the Eels, last year's minor premiers, had a run of six losses from seven matches and sat only above NRL no-hopers South Sydney on the points table. It couldn't get any worse and, ominously for the Warriors, who they face in Auckland tomorrow, things have finally turned for the better under coach Jason Taylor.

Three wins on the trot, including a 46-12 hiding of the fading Newcastle Knights last weekend, have the Eels making a late run, alongside the Warriors, at the top eight.

Surprisingly for a team including tough nuts like Kiwis prop and captain Nathan Cayless, New South Wales forward Nathan Hindmarsh and a host of gifted individuals in the backs, they admit self-belief deserted them midseason.

"There's a good feeling around the joint (now). We were getting to the stage there where we were thinking, `Geez, are we good enough to win a game?'," Hindmarsh said.

"We had a couple of good starts against teams like North Queensland, 16-0 up, Manly 16-0 up. For some reason we just seemed to fall in a heap – we've only got ourselves to blame for that.

"Three in a row now (against) reasonably hard teams, it lifts the confidence a bit."

Cayless, who had to lead the team through the rough patches this year, agrees. "We've been bashed left, right and centre over the year – not on the field," Cayless said.

"A bit of that has come from us, but we are starting to get it together.

"We've come through that, a tough period, and we're playing some good footy again."

Like the Warriors, talk of the top-eight isn't dominating conversation at the Eels who insist on the cliched "one game at a time" as they desperately try to play catchup. There is some New Zealand interest in the Eels camp, with halfback Jeremy Smith making his return after a month-long suspension for pushing referee Sean Hampstead.

The ban cost Smith a Kiwis debut against Great Britain last month, and ironically Hampstead has the whistle again tomorrow. Also there is prop Fuifui Moimoi, who was blocked by the Eels from playing for the Kiwis, and fullback Wade McKinnon, who was recently signed by the Warriors to fill the boots of Brent Webb next year.

The disappointment of losing regular halfback Tim Smith for the season with a broken collarbone has been offset by the return of another Smith, centre Ben, from an ankle injury suffered in round four.

The Eels are two points ahead of the Warriors in 12th place and the loser of tomorrow's match will be at long odds to make the top eight.

Ben Smith said he could sense the Eels were starting to rediscover the team spirit. "We're starting to get that feeling that we had last year and now we just have to keep going and hopefully make a run to the semis," he said. "We know it's going to be hard but we made a goal a few weeks ago to win three out of the next four games and we've done that." – NZPA

Eels not after Jason Smith

Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald has denied the Eels are chasing veteran five-eighth Jason Smith, in the Canberra Times today.

Raiders sign Eels centre

The Canberra Raiders have signed Eels Premier League centre Tony Parmatangi to a two-year deal.

"I'm ready to move to the Raiders next year and hopefully I can work on my game and become a better player," Pamatangi said in a Raider's release.

"I'm also looking forward to living in Canberra, it's a bit quieter and somewhere where I think I can really see myself. "The Raiders have some great young players and I hope I can help add to this. It's always good to get to know some new teammates so I am really keen to get down there."

Smith now a bunny

South Sydney have moved to tie up Jeremy Smith quickly, signing him to a new two year contract today.

"Jeremy has shown at the Eels that he has the makings of an NRL half and Jason Taylor will continue the work he has started with Jeremy at South Sydney next year,” said Souths boss Shane Richardson.

Smith said, "I’ve done a lot of work with JT (Taylor) at the Eels and I’m keen to continue working with him along with Shaun McRae.

“The Rabbitohs have recruited well and have put together a strong squad of players for next year, and I believe the Club is on the up, so I’m looking forward to going to Souths and playing with those players.”

Tearaway learns lesson from Dad

LONG before his boy became rugby league's hottest new property, Manoa Thompson gave son Jarryd Hayne some advice.
"Don't make the same mistakes I did," the former South Sydney journeyman said.

"Football's a great life but if you abuse it, it will come back and bite you hard."

It's the fatherly mantra credited for lifting Hayne, 18, to rarified heights in his rookie season at Parramatta. Up against Andrew Johns and making only his seventh first grade appearance, Hayne declared his untold potential with four tries in 29 minutes last Saturday night. He scored a double the previous week and carries the ball like it belongs in his kit bag. However, if not for lessons from dad's turbulent career, Hayne's stunning take-off might never have occurred.

Speaking for the first time about his son, Thompson said:

"I'm always into him about his training. That's why I dropped out at the end - I cut too many corners."

Thompson debuted for the Rabbitohs in 1989, the year after Hayne was born. Thirteen seasons later the three-quarter retired after stints with more than half a dozen clubs in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and France.

"When I came back from France in 2002 I had to get a job but had no qualifications aside from football," Thompson said.

"The only option was picking and packing for Woolworths at Flemington Markets.

"That was a big wake-up call. It nearly killed me. After spending a year there it made me think, 'I don't want my boy going through this'."

But Hayne, then playing junior park football and living with his mother in the south-western Sydney suburb of Minto, appeared destined for little more.

"He was at that age where he was rebelling a bit with his mum," Thompson recalled.

"You hear stories out at Minto. Unemployment, single parents - it was not an ideal environment."

Determined to split Hayne's destiny from his own, Thompson summoned player-manager Wayne Beavis to arrange enrolment at Westfields Sports High.

"We had to pull a few strings because his grades weren't that great, but he got in," Thompson said. "It was very, very lucky. I think we were blessed."

From then the light illuminating Hayne's bright future started to shine.

"It was a pretty big thing," Hayne said yesterday.

"If I look at it now, I was just mucking around and going to parties and that."

Thompson, who has since started his own wholesale food delivery business, is still driving home important messages to his son.

The Daily Telegraph

Smith can make a name for himself

JEREMY Smith will be auditioning for a contract with South Sydney when he returns to first grade on Saturday after being suspended for pushing referee Sean Hampstead.

Smith will deputise for injured Eels halfback Tim Smith against New Zealand Warriors at Ericsson Stadium. The Rabbitohs are interested in making him a runner in the race for their halfback spot next season.

Tim Smith stands in the way of Jeremy Smith for the halfback spot at Parramatta and, although the New Zealander has played five-eighth as well, the Eels regard him as a halfback only.
He is not a contender for the Eels' five-eighth spot that will become vacant when John Morris leaves to join Wests Tigers at the end of the season.

Smith would probably be welcome to stay, but on a modest contract. At Souths, he would have a chance to become a regular first-grader, where the halfback spot will be available when Ben Walker leaves at the end of the season.

Souths chief executive Shane Richardson last night confirmed his club's interest in Smith.

"We have been tracking him and JT [Parramatta caretaker coach Jason Taylor, who will join Souths coaching staff next year] has a big rap on him," Richardson said.

"We're interested."

Meanwhile, North Queensland chief executive Peter Parr said the club had no choice but to deny rumours of a Wayne Carey-style sex scandal at the club because the speculation was "out of control" in Townsville.

The front page of yesterday's Townsville Bulletin carried a story with the headline "Smeared", in which the Cowboys management issued a statement denying rumours of inappropriate sexual conduct by players.

Gossip over the past month suggested one player had been involved with another's wife, similar to AFL great Carey being caught having an affair with the wife of his Kangaroos teammate, Anthony Stevens, in 2002.

Carey left the Kangaroos in disgrace and, after a break, played out his career with Adelaide.
Parr said he had investigated the matter and was convinced the rumours were untrue.

"I would not have been a party to what has happened over the past 24 hours [the denial] unless I was in no doubt the suggestions were false," he said.

"Out of necessity, in a matter like this, my investigation went beyond simply asking the players if the rumours were true or not and at the end of it I was convinced that when they denied everything they were telling the truth.

"I know the rumours were going around outside of Townsville as well, but up here the speculation had gotten completely out of control, with all sorts of names being thrown around. It's been difficult to live up here over the last couple of weeks. The rumours were malicious, offensive, defamatory and untrue and it reached the stage where we simply had to do something about it."

Parr said the club had received a positive reaction to its denial.

"We've had a lot of contact from the club's supporters today, backing our decision," he said. "I can't blame our recent poor form on the speculation, but if it had continued it may have had the potential to destabilise the team just out of the sheer persistence of it."

North Queensland captain Travis Norton denied the rumours caused the slump which saw the Cowboys lose six successive games. "It probably wasn't [affecting the players] a few weeks ago but as they became more widespread then obviously it could have an effect on the players, and the players' wives," Norton told AAP.

"They shouldn't have to have their name dragged through the mud."

Manly, meanwhile, have agreed to a request by Michael Monaghan for permission to negotiate with other clubs, but one possible destination for the halfback-turned-hooker - North Queensland - have said they would not pursue him.

Monaghan is in the first year of a three-year contract with Manly, but he was forced to switch from his favoured position of halfback when the club also signed Matt Orford from Melbourne.

It seems the Cowboys are not prepared to pay what it would take to sign Monaghan - particularly with halfback Brett Firman now staying at North Queensland after it appeared he may leave.

And new club Gold Coast have signed two more players - centre Brett Delaney from Parramatta for three years and second-rower Mark Minichiello from South Sydney for two.

The addition of Delaney and Minichiello continues an impressive recruitment campaign that includes Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Preston Campbell, Jake Webster and Brian Carney.

Delaney, who has been in and out of the Eels' side, said switching clubs had been an easy decision because he wanted to play in the centres.

"Those positions are taken by Timana [Tahu] and Ben [Smith] at Parramatta," he said. "If I wanted to stay there I would have to play back row."

Delaney Gone

As expected, the Gold Coast have poached Brett Delaney from the Eels as well as possible Parramatta target Mark Minichiello. Delaney said he moved because he saw his future in the centres and with Timana Tahu and Ben Smith having a lock on those positions at the Eels, he would have had to shift to the backrow at Parramatta.

"If I wanted to stay there I would have to play back row so Carty (John Cartwright) said that there is an opportunity to play in the centres so I took that lead with both hands and I am happy I made the decision.

"It seems like there’s a really good vibe at the Titans with the new team. Scott Sattler, John Cartwright and Michael Searle have briefed me on what the plans are up there and it sounds really good. I am just eager to get to the Gold Coast and start pre-season training.”

Titans set deadline for Delaney decision

The Gold Coast Titans are likely to know on Wednesday whether Parramatta goal-kicking centre Brett Delaney will join the NRL club on a three-year deal.

Delaney, 20, travelled from Sydney to the Gold Coast to meet Titans officials, who have set a Friday deadline for him to reach a decision. But his manager Chris Orr told AAP Delaney would decide his future in the "next 24 to 48 hours".

"His father (Steve) is looking to retire up here so that's a factor which is swaying him," Orr pointed out.

Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle added: "He's going to talk with his family but he seemed genuine and that's half the battle.

"We've asked him for a decision by the end of the week so we'll know by Friday.

"We need to secure a centre. We've been talking to the kid for a week and we've tabled an offer we're not prepared to move away from.

"We think it's in everyone's best interests for him to make a swift decision. There's a couple of clubs chasing centres and we don't want to be involved in a market which is that hot."

Cronulla is also keen to secure Delaney's services as cover for the departure of quality centres Nigel Vagana, Beau Scott and Phil Bailey at the end of the season.

Searle rejected any suggestions the Titans were desperate for centres but said they could "put the cue in the rack" in that position with the recruitment of Delaney, who has scored three tries and kicked 27 goals from 12 NRL matches for the Eels this year.

North Queensland's Gavin Cooper, Western Force rugby union convert Josh Graham and New Zealand international Jake Webster have already been signed as three-quarters. Delaney is set to become the Titans' 20th signing, with South Sydney back-rower Mark Minichiello and Queensland Origin prop Nate Myles still in the frame to move to the tourist strip.

Bulldogs forward Myles, the hottest player on the market, will line up against St George Illawarra on Friday night at Oki Jubilee Stadium before meeting Brisbane and Gold Coast officials the following day.

"We rate ourselves as an outside chance," said Searle about the chances of recruiting Myles, who could command up to $275,000 a season after his impressive display in the Origin series. Searle is more confident of signing Minichiello, who will fly to the Gold Coast later this week for talks.

Source: AAP

Next Match

Round 19 - Ericsson Stadium
Sat July 15, 7:30 pm

vs

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS v PARRAMATTA EELS at Ericsson Stadium, 5.30pm

WARRIORS: Brent Webb, Patrick Ah Van, Tony Martin, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Awen Guttenbeil, Wairangi Koopu, Louis Anderson.

Interchange: George Gatis, Evarn Tuimavave, Sione Faumuina, Micheal Luck.

EELS: Wade McKinnon, Jarryd Hayne, Luke O'Dwyer, Ben Smith, Eric Grothe, John Morris, Jeremy Smith, Nathan Cayless, Mark Riddell, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Chad Robinson, Glenn Morrison.

Interchange: PJ Marsh, Dean Widders, Josh Cordoba, Daniel Wagon.

Referee: Sean Hampstead

Hindmarsh to take field after guilty plea

Parramatta backrower Nathan Hindmarsh has escaped a one-match NRL ban after taking the early guilty plea for a grade one dangerous throw.

Hindmarsh was charged by the NRL match review committee following the Eels' 46-12 win over Newcastle on Saturday night, but will be free to play the New Zealand Warriors this weekend.

The only other player to be charged during round 18, South Sydney prop Scott Geddes, has copped a one-match suspension for a grade two careless high tackle.

Geddes also entered an early guilty plea today and will miss the Rabbitohs clash with Manly this weekend.

AAP

Hindmarsh should escape penalty for dangerous throw

Parramatta backrower Nathan Hindmarsh has been charged with a grade one dangerous throw charge by the NRL judiciary but can escape suspension with an early guilty plea.

Hindmarsh was charged for a 76th minute tackle during the Eels' 46-12 win over Newcastle on Saturday night but will only be suspended if he unsuccessfully contests the charge.

The only other player to be charged during round 18 was South Sydney prop Scott Geddes, who must beat a grade two careless high tackle charge in order to play in Saturday night's Telstra Stadium clash with Manly.

AAP

Mixed news for Parramatta's Smiths

Parramatta centre Ben Smith made a successful return from injury on Saturday night, but the good news was tempered by a season-ending injury to halfback Tim Smith.

Tim Smith will undergo surgery this week after breaking his collarbone during Parramatta's stunning 46-12 NRL victory over Newcastle, with Jeremy Smith likely to be his replacement.
The news was better for Ben Smith, who played about 55 minutes in his first game back from an ankle injury he sustained against North Queensland in round four.

The exciting three-quarter was expecting to play in the Premier League on Saturday night, but an injury to NSW back Timana Tahu gave him the opportunity to step straight into first grade in his return game.

"It feels a very, very big relief, it's probably been too long," Ben Smith said.

"I've had a couple of times where I've tried to come back but it just wasn't right but I finally got there.

"When you are out for so long you question whether you can come back, especially straight back into it.

"It was a great game to come back in, especially with the boys on a roll.

"It's a good game to get under my belt, so if JT (coach Jason Taylor) picks me next week I think I can get through a full game."

Smith said the Eels were starting to rediscover the team spirit experienced during their run to the minor premiership last year.

"We're starting to get that feeling that we had last year and now we just have to keep going and hopefully make a run to the semis," he said.

"We know it's going to be hard but we made a goal a few weeks ago to win three out of the next four games and we've done that.

"Now we just have to keep taking it game by game and hopefully make our way up the ladder."

The Eels, plagued by off-field dramas for much of the season, have strung together three consecutive wins to keep alive their slim semi-final hopes. Captain Nathan Cayless said the enjoyment factor had returned in recent weeks.

"We've been bashed left, right and centre over the year - not on the field," Cayless said.

"A bit of that has come from us, but we are starting to get it together.

"We've come through that, a tough period, and we're playing some good footy again."

Taylor downplayed talk of a charge into the finals.

"There's still a long way to go, I don't want you guys saying we're going to make it," he said.

"We know where we're at and what we need to do."

The Eels were hoping to lure Melbourne pivot Scott Hill next year to replace Wests Tigers-bound five-eighth John Morris, but Hill indicated last week Super League club Harlequins is the team most likely to snare his signature.

© 2006 AAP

RD18-Eels thump Knights 46-12

It was meant to be a night of celebrations for Andrew Johns, but Parramatta ruined the party smacking Newcastle 46-12 in an amazing NRL boilover at Parramatta Stadium.

The scene was set for Johns, who came into the match needing just four points to eclipse Parramatta coach Jason Taylor as the game's all-time point-scorer.

It seemed but a formality, however it took until the 71st minute to break the previous mark of 2,107 when Johns converted a Riley Brown try to set the new mark. Johns acknowledged the warm applause from an appreciative crowd of 13,167, giving them a wave and the thumbs up.

The champion half could have broken the record a minute earlier when Newcastle was given two penalties in front of the uprights, but Johns ignored the jeers of the crowd and ordered a quick tap instead.

The milestone was overshadowed by a brilliant performance from the Eels, who scored nine tries to two - with rising star Jarryd Hayne bagging four. The win also keeps alive the Eels' slim semi-final hopes, while the Knights have lost five of their last six games.

While all eyes were on Johns, opposing halfback Tim Smith stole the spotlight as he guided the Eels to a 10-0 lead after just 15 minutes. He scored the opening try just four minutes in when he regathered his own grubber kick after a fortuitous rebound off Knights lock Reegan Tanner.
And then the 21-year-old showcased his passing skills, laying on a try for NSW winger Eric Grothe with a superb cut-out pass.

The Eels scored two tries in the three minutes before the break to take control of the game.
Five-eighth John Morris scored the first after some quick hands and a clever kick ahead by rising star Hayne, before Luke O'Dwyer touched down after Riley Brown and Nathan Hinton were unable to clean up a Morris grubber.

Any hopes of a second-half comeback were quickly extinguished when Hayne crossed for two tries in the opening nine minutes to take the game out of Newcastle's grasp.

Source: AAP

Eels vs Knights

Half - Time Score

Eels 20 vs Knights 6

At half time the Eels lead the Knights comprehensively 20 points to 6. Demonstrating this dominance the Eels have scored 4 tries against the Knights solitary try in the 33rd minute.

Eels try scorers so far: Tim Smith, Eric Grothe, John Morris, Luke O'Dwyer. Riddel and Morris each have one conversion.

Still another 40 minutes to play but the Eels looking good for another victory. Common!!!!

Eels and Smith face true test


THE BIG MATCH

One thing you can be sure about when Parramatta meet Newcastle at Parramatta Stadium tonight is that the Knights will ask the Eels a hell of a lot more questions in attack than the Raiders did last weekend.

Parramatta got away to a storming start against Canberra, but after the Raiders narrowed the gap the Eels spent most of the second half defending a 16-12 lead that later stretched to 18-12 with a penalty.

Canberra played the percentages, as they usually do, driving up the middle of the field through the forwards and hoping for a penalty or an Eels error.

Neither came and Parramatta hung on to win, but the Knights won't play like that. If they're in front, they'll keep pressing to try to get further in front, and if they're behind, they won't wait for something to happen. They'll try to make it happen.

The Eels have rarely played for 80 minutes this season. They've dropped off for periods in most games and can't afford to make that mistake against Newcastle. Not when the Knights have got the world's greatest player, Andrew Johns, running the show and champion hooker Danny Buderus ready to punish slack defence by running from dummy-half.

This is the second time these teams have met in 2006. They played in the opening round and the Knights were untroubled in winning, 25-6, at home. The form of the Eels that night was to prove indicative of their form this season.

Newcastle went through a slump recently, but they emerged from that with a comprehensive 26-12 win over Manly last weekend. Johns was on fire and his teammates followed. It's an old story. The Knights will be even stronger this week, with Buderus and second-rower Steve Simpson returning from State of Origin.

Parramatta will get Nathan Hindmarsh and Eric Grothe back from Origin, but unfortunately for them Timana Tahu is unavailable after getting injured playing for NSW.

The Eels have won two in a row, but the Raiders were without several stars and the other win was against bottom team South Sydney. This game will be the test of whether Parramatta are in genuine revival mode.

While a failure to knuckle down for the duration of games has been a huge problem for the Eels this year, recent history says dealing with the Johns factor will be a particularly difficult problem for them.

Parramatta won three straight games against Newcastle during 2004-05, but on the first occasion Johns was carted off with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, which led to a reconstruction, on the second he was still out recovering and on the third he was unavailable due to Origin.

The two times they have met since, Johns has starred in Knights wins. He put on a clinic for Parramatta's young halfback, Tim Smith, in a 16-10 win late last season at Parramatta Stadium and again showed how it was done in round one.

Smith, who has had a wretched season, showed good signs in the win over Canberra, but there is still a way to go before he can get back to the form that won him the NRL's rookie of the year award last season.

The common mistake Smith has made is forcing passes that shouldn't have been thrown. Too many of them have come loose from intended receivers, who could not control the ball under extreme pressure, or gone forward or to ground.

Last year, when he played opposite Johns for the first time, Smith went into his shell a bit. When they met this year, he tried too hard and made mistakes. Smith has to try to get his own game in order and forget who he is playing against, even if it is Joey.

Tahu facing six weeks out

Timana Tahu is facing six weeks on the sideline with medial ligament damage.

"I ended up colliding with (Maroons fullback Clinton) Schifcofske and someone's come from behind," Tahu told AAP.

"I don't know who, and (the knee) was pretty much squashed into a funny angle. "I thought it was just a cork, I tried to get up and run, but it was just no good."

Eels told to focus on the present

The only way for Parramatta to improve its fortunes this year is by forgetting about the next one, according to caretaker coach Jason Taylor.

The Eels, who are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time this season, are desperate to keep their slim NRL semi-final hopes alive with a win against Newcastle at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday.

Taylor, in his first mandate to players when he took over from Brian Smith mid-season, urged his players not to blame that drama or other off-field distractions for poor performances on the paddock.

And with several players contemplating their future or already signed to rival clubs, Taylor this week reminded his team not to look beyond their top priority - the Andrew Johns-led Knights.

"At the moment at this club we are concentrating on what happens between now and the end of the year," Taylor said.

"There's been a lot of talk about next year right throughout this year so far and I think it really affected the team early on.

"We've talked as a group a number of times about how people have got to work out what they're going to be doing in the future.

"They've got to spend time on it but do it away from training, do it away from the periods where you really need to be concentrating on the games that are coming up and on our footy.

"Because, regardless of what happens next year or where people are, we've got an opportunity here to really finish the season strongly and enjoy what we do."

The Eels have lost Wade McKinnon (New Zealand Warriors), John Morris (Wests Tigers), Dean Widders (South Sydney), Glenn Morrison (Bradford Bulls) Luke O'Dwyer and Matt Petersen (Titans) for next season, while Paul Stringer (retired) and Ashley Graham didn't see out the year with the Blue and Golds.

And although the club is almost certain to lose centre Brett Delaney as well, Taylor said there was much to be achieved in 2006.

"We're determined to finish the season really strongly and whether we can make the semi-finals is another story," Taylor said.

"It's still possible but we're not setting that as a goal, what we're doing is we're working hard each week and we want to play well each week.

"If we can put a few wins together maybe it will start to look a bit more possible in a few weeks time but what we do on the field between now and the end of the year is going to be positive whether we make the semi-finals or not."

While Taylor is yet to write off Parramatta's season, he has all but conceded his all-time points scoring record to Johns this weekend.

The Knights skipper needs just four points to eclipse the record of 2,107 points, set when Taylor broke Daryl Halligan's mark at the same venue in 2001.

"That would be nice (to keep them to nil), if he had to wait until the following week to get the record," Taylor said.

"They'd be pretty high hopes, those ones ... but, yeah, we can dream."

© 2006 AAP

Fat Loss!! Riddell are You Listening!

Just kidding Mark Riddell is going great and has been playing at his weight for a long time now. He just wouldn't be the same player if he shed those few kilos.

But Ronaldo over here certainly looked a few kg's over his best at the World Cup.

I've got some exciting news to share with everyone. Well maybe not exciting to you, but it's definately changed my world and I feel like telling everyone about it.

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I have never been someone to be shy of that extra serving, a nibble here or there on some chocolates and lollies and a few beers to wash it all down. Hey I'm only human. But doing this over a few years sure does catch up with you. Those tight fitting jeans and shirts will tell you that!

But this simple guide filled with commonsense has been a godsend. Through a few simple changes (not all easy I've got to admit) I have been able to completely change the way I look and more importantly the way I feel. I can't remember the last time I has this much energy.

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Maroons charge home to end drought

Two tries in the final nine minutes have handed Queensland a dramatic 16-14 win over NSW at Telstra Dome tonight, the Maroons putting to bed a State of Origin hoodoo with their first series win since 2001.

Staring down the barrel of an unprecedented fourth straight series loss after the Blues had taken a 14-4 lead early in the first half, the Maroons charged home with late tries to Brent Tate and Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer sealing the result.

Tate's four-pointer came on the back of a Johnathan Thurston bust, the Queensland halfback instrumental in igniting the Maroons resurgence while Lockyer's try was the result of a shocking pass out of dummy half by Brett Hodgson in front of his own sticks, the Test pivot diving over to complete Queensland's first pair of back to back wins since 1995.

Queensland's late comeback came after a dramatic nine-minute period immediately following the restart which turned the contest on it's head, three crucial refereeing decisions all going the way of the Blues to turn a 4-4 halftime score into a 14-4 lead to NSW.

First the Maroons were denied a try under the sticks after just 41 seconds to interchange forward Tonie Carroll with third official Graeme West ruling the ball had been stripped from Eric Grothe to create the turnover.

The ensuing penalty put the Blues deep into enemy territory and they were awarded a repeat set when referee Steve Clark ordered a scrum following a loose piece of play when Johnathan Thurston was ruled to have knocked-on the rolling ball despite protests from the Queensland No.7 that he had not touched it.

The sheer weight of possession eventually told on the Maroons with hometown hero Matt King from the Melbourne Storm going over out wide, with Hodgson's conversion making it 10-4.
As if that wasn't enough to knock the stuffing out of the Maroons, the video referee came back to haunt them again just three minutes later when Grothe went over for his second try of the night, with plenty of doubt over whether Hodgson had knocked-on a bomb in the lead-up to the decisive try.

But just as they did when down in game one in Sydney the Maroons lifted, Thurston increasing his involvement to get Queensland a series of back-to-back sets.

Poor options at the back end of their sets left the Queenslanders frustrated, but the reigning Dally M medal winner finally got it right when he sent Tate on his way. Earlier the Blues forwards responded with a far more committed effort to start the game, prop Willie Mason making his intentions clear from the outset as he trampled over Maroons opposite Steve Price with his first run of the ball.

The Maroons targeted new Blues five-eighth Mark Gasnier in defence with the Test centre found wanting as Lockyer and Tate wreaked havoc down the right hand side of the field. Their second long break led to the game's opening points with a Thurston chip kick brilliantly caught and grounded by Adam Mogg, the Canberra winger touching down for his third try in only his second Origin appearance just before his buttock had gone touch in goal.

Thurston again went looking for Mogg in the 26th minute only for Eric Grothe to pluck his pass out of mid air, Clinton Schifcofske's chase was in vain as the powerful Blues winger ran 95 metre to lock it up at 4-4, which is how it stayed until the break.

AAP

Manly wins Lyon

MANLY has won the race for the prize signature of Jamie Lyon, with the former Australia Test centre set to ink a $2 million deal to join the Sea Eagles next season.

In a major coup for the northern peninsula outfit, the Sea Eagles trumped NRL rivals Penrith and Newcastle by securing Lyon for the next four seasons. The Daily Telegraph understands Lyon's contract will average $500,000 per year and includes a $50,000 third party arrangement with one of Manly's major sponsors.

Manly executive director Paul Cummings was unaware of Lyon's decision when contacted by The Daily Telegraph last night, saying:

"We've got nothing back yet, we've made an offer, we're just waiting.
"You probably know more than I do, that's often the way it happens."

Currently starring for St Helens in the English Super League, Lyon was still contracted to Parramatta until July 1 this year despite walking out on the Eels in March 2004. Parramatta were manoeuvring for Lyon to return to the club earlier this season but the move failed.

Still seething over his departure two years ago, the Eels refused to give the former New South Wales centre permission to negotiate with rival NRL clubs until after June 30. Manly, Penrith and Newcastle all headed the list of NRL clubs interested in luring Lyon with all three outfits submitting formal offers last Saturday.

Apparently, one of the major reasons Lyon has opted to join the Sea Eagles is due to his close connection with Manly recruitment officer Noel Cleal. Lyon stayed with the Cleal family in Sydney when he was first recruited to Parramatta from Wee Waa and remains close friends with Cleal's son Kane.

It remains unclear what position Lyon will play when he joins the Sea Eagles with rookie five-eighth Travis Burns also re-signing with the club over the past 48 hours.

The Daily Telegraph

Lowrie switches to Eels

Parramatta has snared Newcastle backrower Todd Lowrie on a three-year deal, while also re-signing five of its own players.The Knights have several players vying for spots in their backrow, and Lowrie was hopeful a switch to the Eels would help him play in his preferred position.

"I'm disappointed to be leaving Newcastle and I'll miss my friends and team mates, but I've accepted my future is elsewhere and I'm excited about the challenges ahead," Lowrie said.

"The Knights have a surplus of backrowers so I'm going to a club where I have the chance to cement my preferred position."

Knights CEO Ken Conway said he would have liked to have kept Lowrie, but there was no room under the salary cap.

"It’s always disappointing to lose local juniors due to salary cap restrictions but we're not in the business of holding back our players from making the most of opportunities," Conway said.

"We felt obliged to repay Todd’s service to the club by allowing him to field other offers.

"It's unfortunate but we were unable to match Parramatta. Todd has been an excellent junior and a great ambassador for the Newcastle Knights."

Meanwhile Luke Burt, Aaron Cannings, Blake Green, Josh Cordoba and Weller Hauraki all re-signed for the club, which had already retained the services of Chad Robinson, Jarryd Hayne, Fuifui Moimoi and Ben Smith.

Origin 3 & Golf!

Well the deciding Origin game is upon us for 2006. It look likes being a ripper of a game and it will be interesting to see how Gasnier fits into the halves at this level of football.

The Parramatta boys look primed for another big one during the Origin and hopefully Hindmarsh can get a bit more game time compared to last Origin game up in Brisbane. I'm personally looking for Grothe to have a big game, and its only a shame Hodges isn't playing as well, as I think Grothe would have ripped shreads off him.

Ok now to Golf. I know this a bit off-topic but as a self-confessed weekend golf hack I'm always on the look out to somehow improve my game. I've just about tried everything under the sun to shave a few shots off my handicap, sometimes successfully but most of the time without result.

Well I recently got hold of instructional guide for golfers looking to get the best golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction, off the net. And without doubt this has been the biggest help to my game in years. If you would like to grab hold of the same guide Click Here!

It's called 'How to Break 80' and while I still haven't broken 80 (I'm well off!) I have definately shaved a few shots off and my handicap is definately getting lower. If I do get down to 80 I'll let you know!

Eels' McKinnon to replace Webb at Warriors

Parramatta fullback Wade McKinnon will cross the Tasman for the next NRL season to play for the New Zealand Warriors.

McKinnon, 25, has signed a three-year contract with the Warriors to replace fullback Brent Webb, who leaves at the end of the year to join UK Super League club Leeds.

"Brent's been doing a great job for us and it's disappointing to lose him but we're extremely lucky to secure a player of Wade's quality," coach Ivan Cleary said.

"He brings some outstanding credentials to the club and it won't take long for our fans to discover how valuable he's going to be for us from next season."

The Warriors said McKinnon is the Auckland-based club's major signing for 2007. The NRL franchise has been hampered in signing top players because of financial restrictions resulting from salary cap breaches in 2004-05.

The team was docked four premiership points at the beginning of the season and the club forced to defer some player payments to next year to stay under the cap. In addition to losing the in-form Webb, Kiwis centre Clinton Toopi has also signed with Leeds, prop Richard Villasanti switched to Cronulla mid-season and veteran forward Awen Guttenbeil is looking elsewhere.

Prop Ruben Wiki and winger Manu Vatuvei are among players retained by the Warriors.

McKinnon has played 44 NRL games for the Eels and 26 for South Sydney, where he began his first-grade career in 2002. He leads NRL fullbacks this season in average runs a game, kick returns and tackle breaks.

McKinnon had put himself on the market when the Eels only offered him a two-year deal.

"I've obviously got some business to finish with Parramatta first but I'm excited about moving to Auckland to play under Ivan Cleary and to play alongside guys like Steve Price and Ruben Wiki," said McKinnon from Sydney.

"They are opponents at the moment but it's going to be a great team to be a part of."

McKinnon will take on his future teammates on July 15 when the Eels play the Warriors at Auckland's Ericsson Stadium.

Next Weeks Game - Rd 18


VS

Parramatta Stadium
Sat July 8, 7:30 pm