Sunday, 29 June 2008: Parramatta Eels vs. Melbourne Storm

Where: Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta
When: 3pm, Sunday 29th June 2008


Sportingbet Odds: Eels ($1.07) Storm ($9.00)
Line Option: Storm +21.5 ($1.91)

Referee: Ben Cummins

EELS

Parramatta's march up the NRL table was halted last Sunday at Toyota Stadium, with a last minute penalty to the Sharks handing the home side a two-point victory in a match that had been destined for golden-point time.

With a match against a weakened Storm line-up, the Eels will be looking to push into the eight, though they'll have to do without Fuifui Moimoi, who was suspended for his last-minute hit on Brett Kimmorley last Sunday, while Jarryd Hayne has been included in the New South Wales Origin squad.

Joel Reddy replaces Hayne in the backline, while Josh Cordoba comes into the starting line-up for Moimoi. Todd Lowrie has been included on the interchange bench.

Eels: Luke Burt, Taulima Tautai, Krisnan Inu, Joel Reddy, Tony Williams, Feleti Mateo, Brett Finch, Nathan Cayless (capt), Mark Riddell, Josh Cordoba, Nathan Hindmarsh, Daniel Wagon, Chad Robinson, Interchange: Matthew Keating, Todd Lowrie, Weller Hauraki, Brendan Oake.

STORM

With nine players on Origin duty, the Storm's second-string players have again been dusted off to receive another thrashing courtesy of the NRL's senseless drawing of matches.

Though Steve Turner has been dropped from the New South Wales squad, and while there are another six state or international representatives in the squad, for a match against a strong Parramatta line-up, the Storm team is woefully thin on talent.

Storm: Steve Turner, Brett Anderson, Joseph Tomane, Jeremy Smith, Sam Joe, Matt Geyer, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Russ Aitken, Scott Anderson, Antonio Kaufusi, Sika Manu, Adam Blair.
Interchange: Liam Foran, Kevin Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Clifford Manua, Sinbad Kali, Lucas Miller (two to be omitted).

BETTING TIP

Total Game Score: Over 46.5 points ($1.90)

Expect the Eels to rack-up a substantial majority of the points that will total forty seven or more for the match.

WE SAY

When a team goes from a 20.5 point favourite to a 21.5 point underdog in just eight days, something is amiss in the competition, not that you can tell the NRL hierarchy.

Parramatta easily.

Racing and Sports tip: Parramatta Eels