NRL trials 2022: Eels stun Panthers, Warriors-Titans clash postponed

Yes, it was only a trial, but blanking the defending premiers while crossing for six tries should entitle Parramatta to plenty of premiership respect this year. Doesn’t it?

Isaiah Papali'i was strong for the Eels in their trial against Penrith. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said his team failed to bring the right attitude to Penrith’s BlueBet Stadium on Saturday in the first obvious sign of a premiership hangover.

Penrith was decimated 36-0 in their home trial by a burgeoning Parramatta outfit ready for the fight which the defending premiers weren’t.

Cleary was scathing in his assessment saying his team didn’t play the “game with the respect it deserves.”

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“Today was disappointing, that’s putting it mildly. We were outplayed in every area today,” Cleary said. “Regardless of who you’ve got or who you play, if you don’t turn up with the right attitude that can happen … I take responsibility for that.”

“Parramatta did and played really well.”

Ivan Cleary took responsibility for the Panthers’ poor attitude against the Eels. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

The Panthers welcomed back a host of grand final stars, but were missing leaders like Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher Harris, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin.

Jarome Luai, Api Koroisau, Viliame Kikau, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton all had hit outs back on their home deck for the first time since July, but it made little difference in a 30-point plus turnaround from last week’s trial win over Cronulla.

In their premiership year, Penrith conceded less than 12 points per game.

“Four of our five leaders not playing today, that makes a difference, but having said that it’s no excuse for what we did today,” Cleary said.

The Penrith coach said there were areas for Penrith to home in on, but “nothing from today”.

“Clearly, there were some things that we needed to get done, that we didn’t get done today. It was the opposite last week.”

MOSES SPARKS ELECTRIC EELS

Parramatta and Mitchell Moses heeded their coach’s call in their trial against Penrith and look primed for round one, piling on 36 points to nil in a shock scoreline.

Prior to another rain-marred trial match, Eels coach Brad Arthur told Fox League that his team was not there “to trial their identity” and that showed.

A precision play in the sixth minute exemplifying their intent and execution with a series of passes opening up Penrith’s defence on the left edge, setting up a 60-metre try finished with a kick from Will Penisini, then a pass to put Isaiah Papali’i under the posts.

Moses, who played a key part in that try, had his kicking game on point in his return match.

A first half 40-20 leading to the field position that would set up the second try, his kicks ensuring the reigning champions were starting most sets deep inside their own half.

Isaiah Papali'i was strong for the Eels. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

The Parramatta halfback kicked 5/5 shooting for goal. He was part of a near full-strength side that ran out for Parramatta who welcomed back halves partner Dylan Brown, co-captains Clinton Gutherson and Junior Paulo plus Reagan Campbell Gillard, Waqa Blake and Papali’i.

Paulo was enormous in the first half, showing no signs the front-rower will need to work into the season. At the 60-minute mark, Arthur had seen enough, taking Gutherson, Moses, Paulo, Papali’i and Shaun Lane from the field, with the Eels up 30-0.

“They’ve looked outstanding, everything they have done has had polish to it, intent defensively. They’ve gone after the Penrith Panthers and made things really difficult,” Corey Parker said on Fox League at half-time.

BROWN SHOWS VERSATILITY

As he told Fox League prior to the start, Arthur intended to test the versatility of five-eighth Dylan Brown during the trial and that he did.

Moving Brown to the left centre to start the second half which resulted in a 53rd-minute try. He and Moses got their hands on the ball several times early, challenging Penrith and confronting their defence.

Mitch Moses had his kicking game on point in the trial. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

PENRITH WELCOME BACK GF HEROES

Penrith welcomed back several of their starting line-up from last year’s grand final win in Saturday’s trial but, importantly, they still have key men Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo to return for round one against Manly.

Grand final heroes Jarome Luai, Viliame Kikau, Api Koroisau, Moses Leota, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o all saw game time. The Panthers looked disjointed and disorganised at times for what was those players’ first games however.

Cleary told media during the week he is hopeful of running out against Manly in less than a fortnight is currently going through the stages.

YOUNG MG SUFFERS INJURY

After a break-out debut in a Penrith jumper last week against Cronulla, there was heartbreak for Mavrik Geyer, who dislocated his elbow.

Geyer incurred the injury in the first half and did not return which looks to have dashed any hopes of a dream debut for the 21-year-old son of 1991 premiership winner Mark Geyer.

The young second-rower scored a bullocking try against Cronulla last week capturing pundits’ attention.

PENRITH RETURN HOME

Penrith returned to BlueBet Stadium for the first time since early July in preparation for their official welcome home in the season opener against Manly on March 10.

Ironically, that last match before the Sydney Covid lockdown and relocation to Queensland was also against Parramatta when Moses missed a penalty goal to win the match with seconds remaining.

Parramatta getting some revenge for the 8-6 semi-final loss last season when the team’s last met in Mackay.

Charlie Staines tres to break free of the Panthers’ defence. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

WILD WEATHER FORCES TRIAL TO BE POSTPONED

By Michael Carayannis

The trial match between New Zealand and Gold Coast was postponed because of torrential rain in Queensland.

The match is expected to be played on Monday. It was scheduled to be played in Redcliffe on Saturday afternoon.

It is understood there will now be a double-header on Monday night with the Warriors and Titans clash to following the Sharks and Bulldogs game.

Cbus Stadium will host the Warriors and Titans at 8pm.

The Warriors said the match was postponed because there was “no sign of the heavy rain abating”.