NRL 2020: Parramatta Eels beat Canberra Raiders 25-24
The Parramatta Eels shook off a massive injury blow to reclaim their spot at the top of the NRL ladder, kicking a game winning field goal in golden point to beat the Raiders 25-24.
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Mitchell Moses watched on with crutches as his Eels raced in 16 unanswered second half points. And then as they squandered a 12 point in lead in two minutes to send the match against Canberra into golden point before winning 25-24. Without Moses the Eels did not have anyone who had kicked a first grade field goal. Enter skipper Clint Gutherson. Gutherson had already laid on two tries but it was his 30 metre field goal which delivered the Eels a win in the second period of golden point.
The victory was soured by a calf injury to Moses which threatens to rub him out for two months after hurting himself on a Bankwest Stadium surface which was cleared yesterday morning. Moses injured his calf during isolation but recovered in time to not miss any matches. This time he won’t be as lucky.
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We’ve got analysis, reaction from players and coaches and everything you need to know about all three encounters — read on.
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The Raiders led 12-8 at half-time and by that stage Moses was already in the dressing sheds having limped from the field in the 35th minute.
The dramatic finish came as the Eels led 24-8 before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scored twice in the final four minutes of regulation time to send the match into golden point.
Eels coach Brad Arthur said he was unsure who would replace Moses but praised his team’s grit.
“We are in a good place in terms of desire, want and character,” Arthur said. “We played against the two grand finalists and we have shown we have belief. Some areas we need to tidy up. We keep coming with the same attitude, that’s the challenge. That’s what we want to try and pride ourselves and turn up every week.”
Jack Wighton and George Williams each missed field goal attempts as did Gutherson before he nailed the match-winner.
The likes of Gutherson, Will Smith, Jai Field are all potential halves options.
BADGE CLANGER
Experienced referees standing as touch judges was supposed to stop the forward pass howlers. But veteran match official Gavin Badger let an obvious forward pass go which led to a Raiders first half try to Elliott Whitehead. Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker passed the ball to winger Nick Cotric which was forward. Cotric kicked inside to Jack Wighton who fired off the pass for Whitehead to score to give Canberra a 12-6 lead after 29 minutes.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said his side did not deserve to send the match into golden point as his side slumped to their third loss in their past four games.
“It’s amazing how we got back to that scoreline,” Stuart said. “You can never win a game of football in the first half but you can lose them.
“I have individuals who aren’t playing well. We have to start a little bit more smarter - defensively and in attack. We are not far away. We are not the team we were last year. We will never be that team. We have to put that to rest.
“They are trying too hard. It’s not a bad thing. I’ve coached footballers who didn’t try, I know what I would prefer. “
The Eels had three first half tries disallowed by the video referee.
PLENTY OF FIRE
Raiders lock Corey Horsburgh was in the thick of the action in the first half. He squared off with Eels forwards Ryan Matterson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard on separate occasions. His encounter with Matterson left him limping from the field in the opening half. He was greeted with a round of boos by the Eels faithful in the stand. Horsburgh reacted, giving the fans a one finger salute from both hands. He did not return with a foot injury.
Raiders duo Josh Hodgson and Jordan Rapana were placed on report.
FALSE START
The six to go siren beeped twice in the opening five minutes but without any on-field signal. The system malfunctioned and was giving off false sirens. Officials unplugged the system and re-booted it to save them from any further errors. It happened again late in the game.
REALITY CHECK: KNIGHTS SHELL-SHOCKED BY UNDERDOG COWS
The pressure valve has been lifted on the Cowboys for at least another week, courtesy of a dominant display against the Newcastle Knights.
On the back of three straight losses critics were calling for coach Paul Green’s head as North Queensland’s season appeared headed for a third year without finals football.
But, with fans back in the stands of Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the defensive resilience Green had pleaded for since their campaign resumed came back with a vengeance in the 32-20 display.
While the team’s first half was impressive across the board, the control of Jake Clifford with the boot and desperate defence of Tom Opacic proved the difference at various stages.
Clifford put in arguably his most accomplished 40 minutes in the No. 7 jumper this year, showcasing control off the boot that kept the pressure on the Novocastrians throughout the first half.
But from the 24th minute he highlighted his versatility, throwing a massive dummy and fleet feet to shrug through a host of Newcastle defenders and score.
On the stroke of halftime he kept the ball rolling, a perfectly placed bomb finished by a high-flying Kyle Feldt.
After fending off an early Knights assault in the opening two minutes, the confidence translated to the Cowboys attack, culminating in Justin O’Neill crossing for the opening points.
From there, their first half flourished.
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Hooker Reece Robson took advantage of quick play the ball to slice the Knights defence through the middle, a supporting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the beneficiary in scoring his first NRL try.
While the Knights threatened to get back into the contest when Tex Hoy crossed early in the second half, Cowboys late change Opacic proved an x-factor with and without the ball.
As the North Queensland centre fell to the ground attempting to break through close to the Newcastle line, a brilliant flick pass found Coen Hess to extend the margin.
Tries to Hymel Hunt and Kurt Mann in the space of five minutes created some nervous moment 1853 spectators, but several desperate efforts in defence from Opacic kept the visitors at bay.
Skipper Jason Taumalolo was a constant menace through the middle of the field. With each carry several Knights defenders were required to answer the call to bring him down, however it was to no avail as the man mountain churned through 264m from 24 runs.
A daunting match up with title contenders Parramatta awaits, but for now Green can take solace his team have shown some pride in the Cowboys jersey.
Full-time NORTH QUEENSLAND 32 (J Clifford K Feldt C Hess J O’Neill H Tabuai-Fidow tries K Feldt 6 goals) bt NEWCASTLE 20 (T Hoy H Hunt K Mann G Shibasaki tries K Ponga 2 goals) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin.
Originally published as NRL 2020: Parramatta Eels beat Canberra Raiders 25-24