Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers: Round 6 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Mon 22 Apr 2019, 03:01 PM

It's only round six but this Easter Monday duel should be a great test for both teams for different reasons.

The Eels went to Canberra intending to make a statement last week, only to be sent home with plenty to think about after a 19-0 shutout.

Teams make it a goal every year to avoid two losses on the trot and that's the challenge facing Parra this week.

The Tigers got the better of the Broncos last week in a gutsy come-from-behind win and have shown they're a team that usually won't beat itself - not withstanding their patchy effort in round three against the Bulldogs.

This game could go either way.

Round 6 - Round 6 - Monday 22 Apr

Full Time

Eels

Wests Tigers

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team news

Eels: Josh Hoffman replaces Blake Ferguson (ribs) on the wing, and Peni Terepo starts with Tepai Moeroa moving back to the bench, Kane Evans also dropped out of the 19-man squad on game day. Two new faces on the interchange bench for Brad Arthur with 19-year-old Oregon Kaufusi and 21-year-old Ray Stone coming in for Kane Evans and David Gower who have been named as reserves. Stone made one NRL appearance in 2018 and Kaufusi has played just four games. David Gower and Greg Leleisuiao were the two players left out on the eve of the match.

Wests Tigers: Not surprisingly, Michael Maguire has kept last week's winning team intact. The fifth-placed Tigers are chasing their fourth win. Elijah Taylor and David Nofoaluma were both omitted 24 hours out from game time, with Paul Momirovski and Chris McQueen dropping out on game day.

Round 6 - Round 6 - Monday 22 Apr

Full Time

Eels

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Mahe Fonua
Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Robert Jennings
Centre for Eels is number 4 Brad Takairangi

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters
Winger for Eels is number 20 Josh Hoffman

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Corey Thompson
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jaeman Salmon

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Josh Reynolds
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Daniel Alvaro

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Russell Packer
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Ryan Matterson
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Marata Niukore

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner
Lock for Eels is number 14 Peni Terepo

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Josh Aloiai

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 13 Tepai Moeroa

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Ben Matulino
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Tim Mannah

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ray Stone

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:27:34 PM

Key match-up

There's nothing Robbie Farah loves more than a chance to take on a young up-and-comer and that's what he's got on Sunday against promising hooker Reed Mahoney. The Eels need their rookie rake to hold his own against Farah.

For the Eels to win

Last year a loss like they had to Canberra might've left the Eels feeling sorry for themselves, but you get the feeling they'll be eager to get straight back on the horse. They need to stay pro-active in attack to keep the Tigers guessing defensively - something they didn't do well against the Raiders.

For the Tigers to win

They've proved they can keep teams to low scores and they play as a team, but the Tigers need to keep looking for news ways to score or at least develop their existing offensive system if they really want to be a threat in September.

Brett Kimmorley says

Parramatta weren’t great against the Raiders. Blake Ferguson was nullified to a large part by Canberra. They need a recovery week more than working on a lot of things. The Tigers have been scrapping really well. The thing I’m most looking forward to on Monday is the new Bankwest Stadium. With a sellout crowd it will be amazing. Eels by 4

Eels Stat Attack

Parra completed just 56% (19/34) in the 19-0 loss to the Raiders. They missed 52 tackles and had 18 errors. After five rounds Clint Gutherson leads the NRL in line break assists (6).

Tigers Stat Attack

The Tigers boast the third-best defensive record in the competition, conceding 59 points in five games. They lead the NRL in decoy runs (269) and all runs (957) and are also first in receipts (2,161).

And another thing ...

It might not rank up with Darren Albert's try to win the 1997 grand final, but Michael Chee-Kam etched his name into West Tigers folklore with his improbable match-winning try at the death against Brisbane last week. Extra time seemed a certainty before Chee-Kam had the presence of mind to see no-one was set for a field goal and decided to head towards the try-line. He caught the Broncos off guard and crashed over for a try that will be remembered years from now.