New faces will line up for both the Dyldam Parramatta Eels and New Zealand Warriors sides in their season opening match at Pirtek Stadium this Sunday, March 9, which will be filled with excitement for the year ahead.
Eels fans are eager to see a repeat of the 2013 season launch, which saw a 40-10 romp including a Jarryd Hayne hat-trick in front of a packed home crowd.
Several new faces will be making their Eels Premiership debuts, including recruits Nathan Peats, Corey Norman and Will Hopoate all named to play in the starting side.
The recruits, along with new Head Coach Brad Arthur, are being named as the players to bring the Eels back to success, along with injury-free performances from co-captains Hayne and Tim Mannah.
Arthur has named young wingers Semi Radradra and Vai Toutai for the first game, who both impressed in a strong pre-season and the Auckland Nines, alongside a tough battle for spots in the forwards, with Kelepi Tanginoa making his return from an extended period absent with injury.
Manu Ma’u is also set to make his NRL debut for the Eels, after being signed to the club after impressing for the Auckland Vulcans in NSW Cup in 2013.
The pre-season has been solid for both teams, with the Eels enjoying a win in Alice Springs over the Wests Tigers and also topping their pool at the NRL Auckland Nines, before being defeated by the Sea Eagles a fortnight ago.
The Warriors have also tested out their new players, with Sam Tomkins and Shaun Johnson combining to be very promising at the Nines, as well as in their trial win over the Broncos and narrow losses to the Titans and the visiting Wigan side.
Tomkins will join his fellow new Warriors players Jayson Bukuya and Chad Townsend in the starting line-up, with the Johnson-Townsend halves combination also a
Kick-off is at 6.30pm, with gates opening from 4pm ahead of the NYC curtain-raiser at 4.15pm.
Click here to buy tickets to the game and cheer on the Eels!
Dyldam Parramatta Eels:
1. Jarryd Hayne (c)
2. Semi Radradra
3. Will Hopoate
4. Willie Tonga
5. Vai Toutai
6. Corey Norman
7. Luke Kelly
8. Tim Mannah (c)
9. Nathan Peats
10. Fuifui Moimoi
11. Ben Smith
12. Manu Ma’u
13. Kenny Edwards
Interchange:
14. Joseph Paulo
15. Peni Terepo
15. Darcy Lussick
17. Kelepi Tanginoa
18. David Gower
19. Mitch Allgood
New Zealand Warriors:
1. Sam Tomkins
2. Glen Fisiiahi
3. Dane Nielsen
4. Carlos Tuimaveve
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Chad Townsend
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Sam Rapira
9. Nathan Friend
10. Ben Matulino
11. Jayson Bukuya
12. Simon Mannering (c)
13. John Palavi
Interchange:
14. Jacob Lillyman
15. Suaia Matagi
16. Sione Lousi
17. Feleti Mateo
18. Jerome Ropati
