On Saturday night at Allianz Stadium, the Dyldam Parramatta Eels will take on the reigning premiers, the Sydney Roosters, looking to follow up a 36-16 victory at home in Round One with another strong performance.
While the tricolours will be missing star forward Sonny Bill Williams - serving a three week ban for a shoulder charge in the season opener - Roosters five-eighth James Maloney says his side will bring a new attitude to their second round clash.
"It's probably a bit of a kick in the arse we needed," Maloney said of their Round One loss to South Sydney.
“We weren't at the standard we would have liked ourselves to be. We have some work to do but we have a chance to rectify it this week."
Meanwhile the side Head Coach Brad Arthur has named to run out in Blue and Gold contains only one change, with young hooker Kaysa Pritchard named to replace Nathan Peats in the number nine jersey.
Luke Kelly and Corey Norman will line up again in the halves for the Eels, looking to build on their combination from Round One with fullback Jarryd Hayne and the back line of Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga and Vai Toutai.
Both Parramatta wingers ran in three tries in the Eels’ 36-16 victory on Sunday night, and their athleticism will be tested against Daniel Tupou and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Up front, the match-ups between tried and tested Test props Jared Warea-Haregreaves and Fuifui Moimoi and up and coming forwards Manu Ma’u, Kenny Edwards, Dylan Napa and Remi Casty is bound to be fiery.
And Eels Co-Captain Tim Mannah says the Eels won't be taking the Roosters side lightly, with our without Sonny Bill Williams on the field.
“I think they’re an example that it doesn’t just take one or two good players to win a competition," Mannah said.
"Whether Sonny Bill’s there or not, they’re a quality side right across the park."
“For us it’s about showing our attitude and mentality and being ready to go to work and doing the best we can.”
Click through to hear from Head Coach Brad Arthur on his side for the Round 2 clash.
The NRL match kicks off at 7.30pm, with gates opening at 5pm ahead of the 5.15pm NYC match-up. Follow the live updates from the game online using the game hashtag #NRLSydPar or the Eels tag #blueandgold!
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. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Fuifui Moimoi
11. Ben Smith
12. Manu Ma'u
13. Kenny Edwards
Interchange:
14. Joseph Paulo
15. Kelepi Tanginoa
16. Peni Terepo
17. Darcy Lussick
18. Mitch Allgood
19. David Gower
Sydney Roosters:
1. Anthony Minichiello (c)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Michael Jennings
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. James Maloney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jared Warea-Hargreaves
9. Jake Friend
10. Sam Moa
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Mitchell Aubusson
13. Frank-Paul Nuuausala
Interchange:
14. Daniel Mortimer
15. Aiden Guerra
16. Remi Casty
17. Kane Evans
18. Dylan Napa
19. Siosiua Taukeiaho
