Parramatta Eels’ forward pack hailed ahead of clash with Bulldogs

PARRAMATTA, in the 1980s, had the most underrated pack in rugby league. But could it be happening again?

Eels v Cowboys at Pirtek Stadium

PARRAMATTA, in the 1980s, had the most underrated pack in rugby league. But could it be happening again?

Senior Canterbury players have identified the Eels forwards — led by NSW Origin star Beau Scott — as the real threat in their ANZ Stadium blockbuster on Friday night.

While the Blue and Gold pack has copped a hammering from critics in recent years, the Dogs believe Scott and the emergence of players like Manu Ma’u, Tepai Moeroa and Junior Paulo bring a new hard edge to the club.

“Parramatta’s forward pack — underrated,’’ Canterbury centre Josh Morris insists. “They’ve got some big boys in there now.

“Guys who are really generating quick play the balls. Then their halves are being allowed to play off the back of that.

“So that’s where I think the Eels’ biggest threat is. Kieran Foran is obviously a great signing, but I think it all starts with their forwards.”

Indeed, while the Eels shelled out almost $5 million for Manly international Foran, Morris insists an equally astute buy was the purchase of Origin buddy, Beau Scott.

“You can see already that Beau is giving them confidence,’’ the Bulldogs flyer continues. “He’s added the mongrel, the starch that every NRL pack needs.

“And those big, young blokes are following his lead.”

Call it an ‘80s yarn minus the desert boots. And Stan Jurd.

**This picture has a scanned reverse - see associated content at the bottom of the details window** Stan Jurd, rugby league player. Action photos.

For when the Eels were racking up premierships 30 years ago, all the headlines went to backline stars Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Mick Cronin and Eric Grothe.

Yet just as crucial to the cause were underrated forwards like Jurd, Peter Wynn, John Muggleton, even embattled chairman Steve Sharp.

However just as Sharp has copped a salary cap battering in recent days, so the Eels will take on Canterbury without the suspended Ma’u, undoubtedly their best forward over the opening fortnight, and injured hooker Nathan Peats.

Both represent a huge lose with Peats having already racked up over 100 tackles for the Eels, while the heavily tattooed Ma’u is averaging upwards of 100 metres per game while also proving his worth as a ballplayer.

Beau Scott of the Eels tackled during the Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos NRL round 1 game at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta. pic Mark Evans

Canterbury, meanwhile, are looking for a vast improvement on last Thursday’s last-minute win against Penrith.

“If we play like we did against Penrith, we’ll be shown up,” Morris says. “If we don’t show them the respect they deserve they will put a score on us.

“Against the Panthers, we just didn’t respect the ball. It was good that we hung in and defended the line well. But as I said, our completions weren’t up to scratch.

“Plus, we started too slow. The Panthers were celebrating their 50th anniversary, they had former players there, a strong crowd and we should’ve taken that into account. We didn’t.

“They were ready for a big game and came out of the blocks firing. We didn’t wether that well enough.

“It took us 20 minutes to get into the game and luckily we hung in long enough to play some footy at the end.”