Sterlo's Parra Preview - Wests Tigers v Eels, Round Four
The Parramatta Eels side take on the Wests Tigers on Easter Monday 2 April at ANZ Stadium in Round Four of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
After suffering a 14-4 defeat to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks last week, Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur has made a handful of changes to his side with Will Smith named at fullback, George Jennings set to make his Club debut on the wing and Tony Williams called into the starting seventeen with Jarryd Hayne, Bevan French and Kane Evans all ruled out with injury.
Kaysa Pritchard has been called into the starting side as Cam King moves to the extended bench.
For the Wests Tigers, after victories over the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm to start the season, the side suffered a 9-7 golden point defeat to the Brisbane Broncos in Round Three.
Head Coach Ivan Cleary has named half Benji Marshall to play despite sustaining an ankle injury against the Broncos, whilst Jacob Liddle and Tuimoala Lolohea have been named on an extended bench looking to return from injury.
A long turn around for both sides, the Eels will be looking for their first win of the season whilst the Wests Tigers will be looking to put last week’s heartbreaking result behind them.
Historically, the Eels hold a strong head to head record against the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, with 9 wins from 12 matches. This includes a 26-22 victory over the Wests Tigers in Round Seven last year and a thrilling 17-16 victory in Round 20.
The Eels and Wests Tigers will once again join forces to show their support and commitment to the Stay Kind initiative. A message developed in partnership with the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, the two sides played for the inaugural Stay Kind Cup last year and will do so again this long weekend to raise awareness for the foundation — promoting the prevention of harm to our youth from self-harm and suicide.
Kick off is at 4pm on Easter Monday with the Wentworthville Magpies ISP side in action at 1:45 before the NRL fixture.
To purchase tickets to the clash, visit http://ticketek.com.au/staykind
Game Details: Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels, 4pm, Easter Monday at ANZ Stadium.
Televised: Live on Nine, 3:30pm Live on Fox League
Live Radio: Triple M, 2GB, ABC, Crocmedia
Head-to-head: Tigers 14 wins, Eels 20 wins, 3 draws
Matches at venues: 12 matches, Tigers 3 wins, Eels 9 wins
Last five head-to-head: Tigers 1 win, Eels 4 wins
2017 results: Eels won 26-22 in round 7, Eels won 17-16 in round 20.
Parramatta Eels squad
1. Will Smith 2. George Jennings 3. Michael Jennings 4. Kirisome Auva’a 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown
Interchange: 14. Beau Scott 15. Kenny Edwards 16. Peni Terepo 17. Tony Williams 18. Cameron King 19. Suaia Matagi 20. David Gower 21. Marata Nuikore
Wests Tigers squad
1. Corey Thompson 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer 9. Pita Godinet 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Matt Eisenhuth
Interchange: 14. Matt McIlwrick 15. Alex Twal 16. Michael Chee Kam 17. Josh Aloiai 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Tim Grant 20. Jacob Liddle 21. Tui Lolohea
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referees — Gerard Sutton and Gavin Reynolds
Touch Judges — Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski and Peter Gough
Review Officials — Ben Galea and Jarred Maxwell
