The Parramatta Eels take on the Penrith Panthers this weekend at ANZ Stadium for Round Eight of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Heading into the clash, Blue & Gold forward Tepai Moeroa says the side will head into the Battle of the West with plenty of confidence, after coming away with a morale boosting 26-22 victory over the Wests Tigers last week.
The Eels trailed 22-10 with less than twenty minutes to go, before scoring three tries in twelve minutes to secure the victory.
Moeroa says the victory, whilst scrappy, is a good confidence boost for the Blue & Gold.
“We just had to stick to our processes. The first half we were executing well but that final pass was going to ground, and we just needed to finish off our plays. In that last 15-20 minutes, we were executing our plays and finishing it off and we happened to come over the top,” Moeroa said of the come from behind victory last week.
“Momentum is big. Once you have it, it is hard to change or swing it around. Once we had the momentum back, we just had to keep rolling.”
“We lost four in a row, and to get that win, whilst it was scrappy, we defended horribly, but to get the job done, it was a good confidence boost for the boys heading into Penrith.” He added.
“We know our processes work, and if we stick to it for the full 80 minutes, we can challenge the best of sides.”
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The Eels take on the Panthers this week, and Moeroa expects a tough clash against a desperate Panthers side who are coming off three losses.
However the Blue & Gold are more focused on themselves and what they can control.
“We are expecting Penrith to run hard, throw the ball around and take us on through the middle and not afraid to go around us.” Moeroa said.
“But we have to look after ourselves and worry about our own defence and attack and the rest should take care of itself.”
“We just have to focus on ourselves and what we can control.”
The Eels are forced to make one change to the line up that defeated the Wests Tigers, with forward Peni Terepo ruled out with injury.
Kenny Edwards will take his place, featuring in the Blue & Gold line up for the first time in 2017 after returning from a suspension.
“Peni has torn his pec, and it sucks because he was really starting to hit his stride and playing some good footy. It will be a real big loss,” Moeroa said.
“We get Kenny back, and hopefully we get to the last five minutes and we are in front and we get him to pull a cramp!”
The Eels kick off against the Penrith Panthers in Round Eight of the NRL Telstra Premiership at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 22 April. Kick off is at 3pm.
