NRL Manly vs Parramatta specials

Parramatta will be specials this weekend against an under-manned Manly outfit. The Eels are one of the few sides who will be able to match it with the Manly forwards, but their backline spearheaded by Hayne at fullback and Tahu in the centres look likely to be too strong.

I spoke to Timana Tahu on Monday and he said the only thing which had changed in league while he'd been away was the intensity around the rucks. He said gang tackling was more prominent which meant it was harder to create space. With that knowledge under his belt, the Eels might do what other sides are now doing by throwing the ball further into space to open up their talented backline.

While talking to Tahu, at the forefront of his mind was an Origin guernsey, so if you think he'll be taking the foot off the pedal, you'd be horribly wrong. Let's pen in the Eels as specials this weekend, and $1.40 is fair odds in the early market.

Meanwhile, here's the latest from Sportingbet on that game:

MANLY BLOW OUT THE GATE AS STEWART'S INJURY SOURS SEASON

Manly have blown out the gate in premiership betting following the news that Brett Stewart’s injury will keep him out of action for most of the season.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said the Sea Eagles had blown from $13 last week to $21 and now looked a real chance of missing the eight.

“We couldn’t find a punter to back Manly before Stewart’s injury and now not even the most ardent Sea Eagles fan could back them,” Sullivan said.

“They showed last year they couldn’t win without Stewart and that could be exacerbated by the absence of an experienced half following Matt Orford’s departure.

“Manly had been as short as $7.00 in premiership markets before Orford left and this is as big a drift you will see in premiership markets after just one round.”

Sportingbet Australia have Manly $2.90 outsiders for their clash with the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.

PARRAMATTA V MANLY
Sportingbet Australia Market
Parramatta 1.40
Manly 2.90

NRL PREMIERSHIP
Sportingbet Australia Market
Melbourne Storm 6.50
Parramatta Eels 6.50
St George Dragons 7.50
Canterbury Bulldogs 8.00
Gold Coast Titans 11.00
Wests Tigers 11.00
Penrith Panthers 15.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 15.00
Brisbane Broncos 17.00
Sydney Roosters 17.00
Manly Sea Eagles 21.00
North Qld Cowboys 23.00
New Zealand Warriors 34.00
Newcastle Knights 34.00
Canberra Raiders 51.00
Cronulla Sharks 51.00