NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 3
6 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Parramatta Eels v Warriors
Pirtek Stadium - Saturday 3:00pm
Can the Eels find their stride against the erratic Warriors.
After promising so much early on in 2015, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has responded to the Eels poor form by dropping several players. The biggest casualty to be relegated to NSW Cup, Chris Sandow has been replaced by Luke Kelly at halfback in a move which will hopefully provide the Eels with more structure. Boom rookie Tepai Moeroa also makes his return to the NRL side after a stint with Wentworthville, while the in-demand Pauli Pauli comes into the side for recent City Origin representative Joseph Paulo. Having won their past two games against the Warriors at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta will be out to get their season back on-track with a strong performance on Saturday afternoon.
While their form hasn't been much better than the Eels, the Warriors do have the luxury of coming into Round 10 with a win. Coming up with two spectacular tries in the final ten minutes, the New Zealanders were able to pull of an unlikely 20-16 win against the Sharks. With Konrad Hurrell suspended for three weeks, Dominique Peyroux will start in the centres, allowing Sione Lousi to come in for his first game of the year on the bench. Getting out to a big lead in their Round 3 encounter, the Warriors will be looking to add further misery upon the Eels with a win away from home.
Last meeting: Round 3 2015 - Warriors 29 Parramatta Eels 16
Who to watch: Having joined Parramatta in the off-season, Anthony Watmough hasn't quite delivered given his reputation. Only twice this year has the former Manly second rower run for over 100 metres, while he has also failed to produce a single line-break in 2015. While his form hasn't met the expectations set of him, expect Watmough to rip in against the Warriors to get the Eels over the line.
Having enjoyed a tremendous period of success in recent weeks, Manu Vatuvei will be out to add to his try-scoring tally against the Eels. Crossing for 7 tries already in 2015, Vatuvei has been a colossus in recent weeks; while he was unable to finish last week's game against the Sharks, if "The Beast" is right to go on Saturday, expect him to add to the Eels misery with a big game.
The favourite: Having experienced inconsistent seasons so far, both sides should look to current Blues coach Laurie Daley for advice -
"The side with more points on the scoreboard after 80 minutes should win the contest".
My tip: While Luke Kelly will provide more stability for the Eels, the flamboyance of the Warriors should prevail. Warriors by 12.
1. Reece Robinson 2. Semi Radradra 3. William Hopoate 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Ryan Morgan 6. Corey Norman 7. Luke Kelly 8. Danny Wicks 9. Nathan Peats 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Anthony Watmough
Interchange: 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Pauli Pauli 16. Richie Fa'aoso 17. Peni Terepo
1. Tuimoala Lolohea 2. Jonathan Wright 3. Dominique Peyroux 4. Solomone Kata 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Chad Townsend 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Thomas Leuluai 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Nathan Friend 15. Sione Lousi 16. Sam Lisone 17. Albert Vete 18. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Referees: Grant Atkins, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner, Kasey Badger; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Daniel Irvine;