Round 10: MAGIC ROUND: Warriors v Parramatta preview
Sunday's action on Magic Round begins with what is set to be an entertaining clash between the New Zealand Warriors and the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium.
Coming into the contest in eighth spot, with four wins and four losses for their season so far. The Warriors have been their true inconsistent selves in their performances with both strong performances and poor efforts during the individual games.
Last weekend, the Warriors started quickly up against the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale but like against the Cowboys in the week prior, they faltered in the second half falling to a 38-32 defeat. The Warriors looked strong in attack during the first half as they took a 20-12 lead at the break and had the chance to extend their lead had they not blown an almost certain try. The Sea Eagles found their spark and ultimately were too strong for the Warriors despite the Warriors setting up a grandstand finish.
Warriors coach Nathan Brown has made one change to the side that took the field last weekend with Ben Murdoch-Masila coming straight into the starting side with Bayley Sironen dropping to the bench. Reece Walsh has been named on the bench after starting there last weekend.
Sitting in second spot, the Parramatta Eels have been strong through the competition with just the one defeat in 2021. The Eels have been one of the competitions attacking best teams chalking up 260 points which puts them equal second with the Panthers in attack.
The Eels have found themselves surrounded by controversy in the past seven days following their 31-18 victory over the Sydney Roosters. The Eels were strong in the victory but surrounded themselves in controversy with a number of foul play events that went unpunished by match officials. Parramatta dominated possession in their clash and the mounting injury crisis for the Roosters did play a part.
After playing a number of players in the NSW Cup last week in contravention to NRL protocols last weekend, the Eels have been given exemptions to name a full 21-man squad. Jakob Arthur has been named in the five-eighth jersey with Ray Stone coming onto the bench to replace Haze Dunster. Both players will still have to get NRL biosecurity approval to play.
Last meeting: Round 17 2020 - Warriors 18 Eels 24
Who to watch: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was a strong performer for the Warriors last weekend and yet again he will be a key element for the New Zealanders should they want to get past the second placed Eels on Sunday. Tuivasa-Sheck will need to be the key cog in attack for the sometimes-stumbling Warriors attack.
If he gets the go-ahead, Jakob Arthur will a key player for the Eels on Sunday afternoon. Arthur has scored five tries across 7 NSW Cup games for the Blue and Gold as well as chalking up 6 try assists. Although NRL is a step up, the son of Eels coach Brad Arthur, Jakob could put his mark on the game.
The favourite: The Eels have been put up heavy favourites for the contest based on their last start win and their overall performances this season.
My tip: It's hard to go past the Eels even with their off-field issues and the number of players that they have out this weekend. The performances of Mitch Moses and Clint Gutherson at their very best would be to strong for a Warriors side that would no doubt be in the contest for a long way but just lack the all round game to match the Eels for the whole game. Parramatta by 12.
