Anthony Watmough's first game in Parramatta colours was overshadowed by fellow recruit Reece Robinson, who stole the show with a hat-trick to lead the Eels to a 30-22 trial win against the Panthers on Saturday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In what was Parramatta's first real taste of life after Jarryd Hayne, his successor Will Hopoate played a starring role in his first game in the No.1 jersey that Hayne vacated when he announced his decision to pursue an NFL contract in October.
The NSW Origin centre showed plenty of promise in his new role, playing a leading hand in one try and beating three Penrith players to score one of his own in Parramatta's five tries to four victory at Pepper Stadium in Penrith.
"He had some good touches but he's still a bit rusty," coach Brad Arthur said of Hopoate.
"I think we're all a bit rusty in attack. It took us a while to settle into it. That's probably the first time they've all really played together. Will's talk is really good and it's all positive talk. Once he learns the role more and more and gets a bit more confidence carrying the ball, I think he might be okay for us."
Despite the Eels losing Ryan Morgan to the sin bin for a professional foul in the second half, the match remained a 13-on-13 contest after Ivan Cleary agreed to allow Parramatta to field a full team.
Watmough picked up a niggling neck injury in the first half for the Eels, who will be without only Kenny Edwards and Kaysa Pritchard for round one, but the former Manly forward returned in the second half and finished the match unscathed.
"His defence was good but he was a little bit rusty in attack," Arthur saif of Watmough.
"His talk's good, especially a few times there when we had to defend four or five sets in a row. That's what we need from him, to talk and get the boys working. I thought our effort right at the end of the game, we kept turning up. Hopefully [his energy] is infectious.
"I just want him to concentrate on his own game, too. His actions will be what they will be. He needs to do all his talking on the football field."
Both Robert and George Jennings, the younger brothers of Roosters and NSW superstar Michael Jennings, impressed in their second preseason trial with the NRL side, with Robert crossing the line and George bagging a double in the loss.
