Eels Hooker Discusses Successful Partnership

The signing of Tallyn Da Silva by the Parramatta Eels during last season raised some concerns for hooker Ryley Smith.

Initially, Smith feared that he would lose his position entirely with the new addition but has since opened up about overcoming that anxiety.

"When you're the hooker and you sign another hooker there's always that worry about losing your spot," Smith shared with NRL.com.

However, the duo has focused on collaboration, allowing them to get the most out of their partnership during pre-season training.

"We learned to put that aside and work together as a duo and we've been getting the best out of each other through the pre-season," Smith explained.

His praises continued, highlighting Da Silva's strong performance in training: "He had a very strong pre-season and we're both picking each other's brains about how to get better as a player and a person. The combo's going really well at the moment."

Throughout the initial three rounds of the season, Smith has taken on the responsibility of engaging in the tough early collisions.

Approximately 30 minutes into the games, Da Silva typically enters the field to capitalize on the fatigue of the opposing forwards.

This strategy proved especially effective in their match against the St George Illawarra Dragons, where Da Silva's presence led to a significant turnaround, resulting in a 12-point lead at halftime.

Both players remain committed to their roles, demonstrating that their one-two punch is a successful tactic.