The Dyldam Parramatta Eels will return to ANZ Stadium this week as they go head to head with the Wests Tigers in a battle of the west this Easter Monday. After 50 668 fans attended the same game last year, the Eels are expecting the Blue and Gold Army to be there in numbers again as they look to cement their first back to back win of the season.
The Eels showed the competition they are a force to be reckoned with last week, knocking the reigning Premiers off their unbeaten streak, defeating them 29-16 at Pirtek Stadium. It was a great team performance by the Blue and Gold and they will be looking to back it up again this Monday against a young Wests Tigers team.
Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur has made two changes to his side with Bureta Faraimo called into the 18-man squad replacing Brad Takairangi who was ruled out through the NRL Judiciary and Peni Terepo has been named on an extended bench.
Reece Robinson also had his Grade Two Dangerous Throw downgraded at the NRL Judiciary and will be available to play.
The Blue and Gold will play their first home game at ANZ Stadium and will be looking to continue where they left off against the Rabbitohs. With Chris Sandow showing signs of how dangerous he can be and having a man of the match performance last week, the Eels will be looking to show their discipline and commitment by backing up again this week and coming away with the two points.
The Wests Tigers have also started their season with two wins from four games, with two of those games coming down to just one point. They will be looking to bounce back this week after holding the lead against the Bulldogs on Friday night 24-6, before being defeated in extra time 25-24.
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Match Details: Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers, ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park. Kickoff at 3pm.
Televised: Fox Sports, Live, 3pm
The History: Played 29; Eels 16, Wests Tigers 12, Drawn 1
Eels Squad:
1. William Hopoate 2. Bureta Faraimo 3. Ryan Morgan 4. John Folau 5. Reece Robinson 6. Corey Norman 7. Chris Sandow 8. Darcy Lussick 9. Nathan Peats 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Anthony Watmough
14. Isaac De Gois 15. Joseph Paulo 16. David Gower 17. Danny Wicks 18. Peni Terepo
Wests Tigers Squad:
1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. Tim Simona 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Pat Richards 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Keith Galloway 11. Curtis Sironen 12. Kyle Lovett 13. Martin Taupau
14. Dene Halatau 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Jack Buchanan 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Brenden Santi
Eels Dangers
Chris Sandow and John Folau. Sandow had an incredible game against his former club on Friday night, being instrumental in a number of tries and scoring one of his own as well as kicking a field goal. When he is on fire, so is the rest of the team. John Folau scored two tries against the Premiers last week in only his second NRL game. He has speed as well as power and will be difficult to contain on the wing for the Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers Dangers
Robbie Farah and James Tedesco. Wests Tigers Captain Robbie Farah is dangerous around the ruck, always sprinting from dummy half and gaining his side penalties, as well as the control and experience he brings to his team. Tedesco’s speed is definitely one of the Tigers’ strengths and his ability to read the game. He will no doubt be looking to continue this form into Monday’s game as his a chance at the NSW fullback jersey grow stronger.
Match Officials: Referee: Jared Maxwell. Assistant Referee: Gavin Morris. Touch judges: Brett Suttor and Jeff Younis. Video Referees: Bernard Sutton and Luke Patten.
