Parramatta Eels’ injury crisis worsens as

debutant lasts just 10 minutes in win over Cowboys

The Parramatta Eels’ injury issue has intensified, with new recruit Joe Ofahengaue’s debut lasting only 10 minutes before he became the club’s latest casualty.

After his transition from the Wests Tigers was delayed, Ofahengaue started for the Eels against the Cowboys, but was pulled off the field after only 10 minutes due to a calf injury.

The Eels overcame a late stumble against the Cowboys to win 18-6 with to tries from Wiremu Greig, Maika Sivo, Sean Russell, and Mitchell Moses.

Ofahengaue’s injury is a blow that the Eels can ill-afford, with Brad Arthur’s side already without Andrew Davey, Ryan Matterson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Shaun Lane due to injuries. The Eels are also without Junior Paulo due to his State of Origin selection.

He wasn’t the only Eels player to leave the game with an injury, with veteran hooker Josh Hodgson finishing the game on the bench in a tracksuit.

The injury to Ofahengaue occurred during a tense first half, with Greig’s try canceling out Scott Drinkwater’s seventh-minute opener.

After the break, the Eels surged, with tries to Sivo and Russell putting Arthur’s team in control before a big scare in the final 12 minutes.

With the Eels leading 18-6, Sivo made a defensive blunder that let the Cowboys back into the contest.

The Eels winger came off his line attempting to intercept a pass, only to severely misjudge it, allowing Feldt to score easily.

Sivo would have been sweating bullets seven minutes later when Feldt doubled up, bringing the Cowboys within two points of a game-changing robbery.

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However, Mitch Moses demonstrated why the Eels pay him top bucks by brilliantly controlling the game in the final five minutes before sealing the deal with a try.

In round 14, the Eels had a bye, while the Cowboys host the Melbourne Storm.