TAUTAI TAKES CENTRE STAGE AS EELS NAME FOUR NEW FACES FOR ROUND ONE

Taulima Tautai will become the 698th player to wear the Blue and Gold jersey when he makes his first grade debut for the Pirtek Parramatta Eels against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

Tautai has been named alongside Krisnan Inu in the centres for the Eels Telstra Premiership season opener, which kicks off at 5.30pm.

Also making their first appearance for the Eels in the top grade are interchange players Joe Galuvao (no. 699), Matthew Keating (no. 700), and Brendan Oake (no. 701).

"If anything the selections reflect the strength of our top 25," head coach Michael Hagan said.

"All four players called upon to make their debuts have had excellent pre-seasons and all have shown solid trial form.

"Taulima was one of our best against the Panthers in Albury while Joe, Matt and Brendan have all played strongly in two trials.

"It's also a good result for Parramatta's development programs, with Taulima, Matt and Brendan all coming through our junior and lower grade ranks and into the NRL.

"In other good news for the Eels, international second rower Nathan Hindmarsh has fully recovered from knee surgery and will take his place in the starting line up.

Saturday's match kicks off at 5.30pm at ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, and follows the Toyota Cup clash between the Eels and Bulldogs at 3pm.

PIRTEK PARRAMATTA EELS TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP V BULLDOGSANZ STADIUM
SAT 15 MARCH 2008 530PM

1. Luke BURT
2. Joel REDDY
3. Krisnan INU
4. Taulima TAUTAI#
5. Eric GROTHE
6. Feleti MATEO
7. Brett FINCH
8. Nathan CAYLESS [C]
9. Mark RIDDELL
10. Fuifui MOIMOI
11. Nathan HINDMARSH
12. Todd LOWRIE
13. Daniel WAGON

INTERCHANGE
14. Matt KEATING#
15. Josh CORDOBA
16. Brendan OAKE#
17. Joe GALUVAO#

COACH: MICHAEL HAGAN
#Eels First Grade Debut

NOT CONSIDERED
Chad ROBINSON - Wrist
Ben SMITH - Knee/Shoulder
Tim SMITH - Shoulder
Weller HAURAKI - Stood Down
Jarryd HAYNE - Stood Down
Junior PAULO - Stood Down