The Dyldam Parramatta Eels have posted a gutsy 28-22 win over the Newcastle Knights in dramatic conditions in Captain Tim Mannah and halfback Chris Sandow’s 150th NRL games on Sunday afternoon.
Eels hooker Nathan Peats spoke after the game about the importance of the Blue and Gold putting in a complete 80 minute performance to come away with the two points.
“Today was a good effort and to do it for them two, Tim Mannah and Chris Sandow, it was special moment for the whole group so very pleased with today’s performance,” Peats said in the sheds after the game.
With Newcastle throwing up some gusty conditions, the Eels and Knights made the most of the challenging weather completing the game with a 78% and 72% completion rate respectively, however Peats said it difficult out in the middle.
“It was a weird game, one of the weirdest I have probably played in,” Peats said.
“Obviously with the kick-offs and the wind it was hard to get the ball back,”
“I think it was until the sixth kick off that the team finally received the ball so look at it, both teams did well in the conditions but we are glad to get the two points,” he added.
With the Eels suffering running repairs throughout the game to Wicks and Gower along with a reduced bench with Fa’aoso unable to return to the action, Peats said that the performance from the entire team was pleasing.
“It was just one of those games where I ended up in the right back row for 20 minutes or so, with ‘Fus’ coming off injured and boys playing in different positions, but they are the special wins,” Peats said.
“It wasn’t our best game but I thought the pleasing thing was that we completed for the full 80 minutes.”
It was the first time Peats played the Knights as an Eel and despite crossing the line twice including the eventual match winning try, he paid credit to the rest of his teammates.
“Obviously coming off for 10 minutes, because Brad wanted to freshen me up, then coming back on with 20 minutes to go, it worked out the way it was and I am glad to get the two tries but I think the boys did a lot before that,”
“It wasn’t just the tries that got us over the line, the fact we went for the full 80 minutes is the reason we came away with that win.”
Match Highlights
Whilst Head Coach Brad Arthur said he was cranky after the game, Peats reassured that Brad was happy with the Eels earning the two points, just disappointed with the inability to be consistent.
“Brad was happy with the win, he was just disappointed how we don’t do that every week,” Peats said to Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.
“The big thing with our side this year is we can turn it on one week and then we’re not been able to it next week. So that’s what he’s been disappointed about so hopefully we can show him that we can do it this week.”
Peats believes that the gap between the teams different performances on the field has had a lot to do with their mentality and attitude.
“I think it was an attitude thing with us, the two previous weeks after beating Souths,” Peats said.
“I think when we’re not expected to win we seem to perform and the times we’re expected to win we’re not showing up with the right attitude.”
“There was a different mentality there yesterday in the sheds before the game and even when we were 12-0 down we were still defending quite well, except with the two lapses with the tries, but we get that feeling when you’re on the field if you’re on or not and I had that feeling, we bounced back pretty well.”
The Eels will be looking for another 80 minute performance this week when they take on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 25 April.
“The thing we sort of lacked in the past and so far this year, there’s a big gap between our best game and our worst game,” Peats said.
“If we can try and bridge that gap from our worst performance across our best performances, then we’re going to be a lot better.”
