Eels coach Brad Arthur has answered the lingering query surrounding make-up of his bench after two gamers in two rounds didn’t take the sphere.
In Round 1, Makahesi Makatoa stayed on the pine for the entire 84 minute recreation, whereas Wiremu Greig and Jirah Momoisea mixed for less than 40 minutes.
Then in Round 2, Greig performed zero minutes and Makatoa was within the motion for less than 14 minutes.
Watch each recreation of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Arthur additionally got here beneath fireplace final season for carrying his son Jake on the bench for a lot of the season, regardless of the 20-year-old solely with the ability to play within the halves.
Against the Sharks, entrance rowers Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard each performed over 58 minutes — and the Eels coach mentioned he merely wanted them on the sphere.
“We’ve got a lot of good players that start for us in Junior and Reg and I think they’re pretty important to the team,” Arthur mentioned within the post-match press convention.
“I think we need them, especially in tight games like tonight, we need them on the field for long periods.
“They’re our match-winners and that’s why we need them out there.”
Meanwhile, Eels recruit J’maine Hopgood continued his spectacular type in solely his second recreation within the blue and gold.
MORE NRL NEWS
MONEY IN THE BANK: Dolphins have money to splash. Here’s who they may chase
WATCH: The second alleged racial slur was aimed toward Latrell Mitchell
NOT ON: NRL world’s furore over racial slur as league boss addresses massive Latrell concern
INJURY SCARE: Panthers’ bye a ‘blessing in disguise’ as worrying Luai element emerges
Hynes heartbroken by racial abuse | 03:06
Get all the most recent NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
In Round 2, the lock ran for 129 metres, broke three sort out and recorded two essential attempt assists for Campbell-Gillard and Moses tries.
“He was good again tonight. I said in the pre-season, he just needed an opportunity to get out on the field and I still think once he’s played 10 to 15 games straight he’ll be better for us,” Arthur mentioned.
“But he does some good things with the ball, works hard defensively.
“A couple of things he needs to tidy up from tonight but he’s going really well.”
With Ryan Matterson returning in Round 4, Arthur has an enormous resolution looming with Hopgood making the No.13 jersey his personal.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au