Eels v Sharks: Todhunter to start; Tonegato ruled out
Two first round winners go head-to-head in the first of next Sunday's double-header games at Allianz Stadium with the new-and-improved Eels facing off against the Sharks.
The Eels upset the highly-fancied Broncos 22-10 with new halves pairing Rachael Pearson and Cassey Hohi-Hiku pulling the strings, while forwards Elsie Albert and captain Mahalia Murphy impressing with their go-forward.
Eels forward Kennedy Cherrington was fined $400 for a Grade 1 Contrary Conduct charge from the fiery win over the Broncos and is free to play in what's set to be a strongly contested match.
The Sharks put in a strong defensive display to shut-out the Cowboys in their 14-0 win in front of their home crowd, with winger Cassie Staples scoring a double.
After playing fullback for New South Wales in the recent State of Origin series, Emma Tonegato moved into the five-eighth position for the Sharks and played a starring role with a hand in all three of her side's first half tries.
The match-up between Tonegato and halfback Taylor Preston up against fellow Blues player Pearson and Tohi-Hiku - who played all of the 2023 season on the wing for the Eels - will be good to watch.
Match: Eels v Sharks
Round 2 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Sharks
2nd Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes. Taneka Todhunter comes into the starting side as hooker with Rueben Cherrington (syndesmosis) ruled out for the season. Other changes see Chloe Jackson into the second row for her NRLW debut in place of Boss Kapua (knee), who is also out for the season. Rosemarie Beckett, who was 18th player last week, comes onto the bench. Tafao Asaua is 18th player.
Sharks: Emma Tonegato is a late withdrawal with a calf injury so Georgia Hannaway will start at five-eighth and Manilita Takapautolo debuts off the bench. The Sharks will be out to repeat last week's superb defensive effort to keep the Cowboys scoreless - the first time they had kept a team to zero in their short history in the competition.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi ChurchFullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali FayWinger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Rory OwenCentre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Rosie KellyCentre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Monique DonovanWinger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Cassey Tohi-HikuFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 14 Georgia Hannaway
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Taneka TodhunterHooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Madeline JonesProp for Sharks is number 10 Holli Wheeler
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Chloe Jackson2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Kennedy CherringtonLock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Rosemarie BeckettInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Chloe Saunders
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Tyla AmiatuInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Vanessa Foliaki
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Jade FonuaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Tegan Dymock
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ruby-Jean Kennard-EllisInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Manilita Takapautolo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Tafao AsauaReplacement for Sharks is number 19 Nakia Davis-Welsh
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time since 2022.
- The Sharks became the first team to score 50 points in an NRLW game in last year’s clash against the Eels.
- Eels halfback Rachael Pearson will play her 20th NRLW game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
