The Dyldam Parramatta Eels kicked off their season with a bang in their first game of the 2015 season, bringing home a massive 42-12 win over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
Eels centre Brad Takairangi, who made his first NRL appearance in the Blue Gold, was ecstatic with the win and glad to come away with the two points in the opening round.
“It definitely is a good feeling to kick off the season with a win,” said Takairangi.
“We put plenty of hard work into the offseason and today the performance showed that.”
Whilst the Eels entered halftime with a 16-12 lead, Takairangi noted that their discipline with the ball was adding extra pressure on the home side, after they entered the half time sheds with 6 errors and a 66.7% completion rate.
“We were really shooting ourselves in the foot by continuously dropping it after the kick-off so credit to our boys, especially our middle for some great defence,” Takairangi said.
“Credit to our defence. I thought our middle really laid the platform for that win.”
Round One Match Highlights
Chris Sandow, who returned to action for the Eels, after not featuring in the pre-season trials since the 2015 Auckland Nines, starred with two tries and one try assist and Takairangi praised his strong performance.
“Once again, it showed how big of a pre-season that Chrissy has had. Big credit to him, he led the boys well today and it paid off at the end.”
Takairangi opened his scoring account for the Blue and Gold, crossing the white stripe in the 55th minute, and was happy to play his part in the victory
“Great feeling to score my first try for the Eels,” Takairangi said.
“It’s good to get that out of the way early in the season but I’m lucky I had Semi outside me because I could just keep feeding him the ball” he added.
Takairangi had the perfect view to see his new left edge partner Semi Radradra cross for three tries, and the centre praised his winger’s performance.
“When you have someone like Semi outside of you, you just have to feed him so that’s all I did” Takairangi said.
“It was an awesome feeling out there to see that Blue and Gold Army out here tonight.”
“It’s a special feeling and the boys really appreciate them coming out tonight.”
