The Parramatta Eels are “furious” that the findings of a bombshell report have been leaked 24 hours out from their biggest game of the season.
James Hooper revealed via foxsports.com.au on Thursday afternoon that an internal review led by ex-Warriors coach Nathan Brown claimed there is “nepotism in the appointment of staff and players” at the club.
Hooper, who spoke to Eels coach Brad Arthur, told NRL 360 that club is “furious” about the timing of the findings being leaked, given they take on the Raiders on Friday night.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
LISTEN TO EPISODE 25 OF THE FOX LEAGUE PODCAST WITH AARON WOODS
“The timing of it is self-implosion, it’s so explosive on the eve of the game,” Hooper added.
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta believes the leak shows “that there’s huge fractures at the club,” and said he “can’t understand” the timing of whoever leaked the report.
Anasta’s co-host Paul Kent said the leak likely had something to do with “self interest.”
While the review uncovered a disconnect between Parramatta’s lower grades and the NRL squad, the most startling part was the claim of nepotism.
Hooper reiterated that there is no suggestion the nepotism has anything to do with Arthur picking his son, Jakob — a specialist half — on the bench for seven games this season.
It comes after the NRL 360 panel on Wednesday questioned the selection of Arthur on the bench for Friday’s clash when the Eels go up against one of the best forward packs in the competition.
Kent stressed that those questions had nothing to do with Jakob Arthur’s relation to the coach, but more so about the position he plays. However he is curious about the meaning of the nepotism claims.
“I’m at the pains to say the curiosity around that selection was as much about picking a specialist half on the bench in case Mitch Moses doesn’t get through the game as it was about picking the coach’s son,” Kent said.
“It is getting out there, I don’t know who at Parramatta is getting the story out there, which if we start to join the dots there’s at least frustrations within the senior part of the club and that’s going to be the issue.”
MORE NRL NEWS
VAL 2.0: Inside Holmes’ revival and the tough Payten chat that changed everything
WALTERS SAFE: Kevvie to remain as Broncos coach for 2023… with future uncertain
JIMMY BRINGS: Ricky’s push for World Cup call up as Eels face fight to keep duo
SIGNING OF THE YEAR: How the Raiders ‘stumbled’ across Jamal Fogarty
The Fox League report also revealed that players had questioned Arthur about why experienced forward Nathan Brown had continued to be overlooked.
“Brad Arthur is adamant that didn’t happen and that isn’t the case,” Hooper said on NRL 360.
“With everything I wrote today, he actually didn’t have a beef with anything that’s in the report, where he did have the beef is that piece of detail about Nathan Brown.”
Anasta asked whether there were senior players disagreeing with the selection of Jakob Arthur, to which Hooper said: “I was told that they were, but Brad Arthur was adamant that was not the case.”
Kent said the biggest issue for the Eels right now is “how they handle it from here on in,” but Anasta believes the report “spells disaster” for the team.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“If there is unrest, you’ve got Nathan Brown who wants to be in the team and players that are supposedly unhappy with some of the selections,” Anasta said.
“The night before the game, this happens and now they’ve got to go onto that field with the players not believing entirely in who is on that field with them and the team that has been picked by their coach.
“That to me spells disaster 24 hours out from their biggest game of the year and to me I’d be picking the Raiders.
“I think we’ll see tomorrow night in their performance what exactly is going on… whether the senior players are unhappy or not, we’ll see in their performance.”
