The Dyldam Parramatta Eels will take on the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium this afternoon (Monday 28 March), kick off at 4pm, and the Blue and Gold will be looking for their third win of the season.
Previewing the game thanks to betting.club, Blue and Gold Assistant Coach Steve Murphy says the side will need to be on full alert this week, coming up against a fast starting, energetic Wests Tigers outfit.
“They have been starting games really quickly and really putting teams under pressure. We will have to defend really well against a quality outfit.,” Murphy said.
“Defensively, is probably the area of the game where it will be won or lost. Both teams play expansive style of football and both teams will be under pressure to defend that,” Murphy added.
“We are confident if we defend well, our attack will take care of itself.”
The Wests Tigers welcome back experienced hooker Robbie Farah to their forward pack, and Murphy says the number nine plays a crucial role in getting their side rolling forward and on the front foot.
Along with Farah, the Wests Tigers backline have posed teams plenty of problems this season.
“Robbie will try and bring their forwards onto the ball and get in behind us in the ruck. He gets their sets rolling for them and they are really hard to hand off the back of that momentum, so he will be trying to generate that momentum in the middle of the park.” Murphy said.
“Their spine is very strong, especially with Robbie returning, and Tedesco has been a real handful.”
“Nofualuma too, he has been carrying the ball strong out of the back field, plus the halves are young and creative so our edges will have to be on full alert this week.”
For the Blue and Gold, edge forward Manu Ma’u returns to the starting side, and Murphy said the X-factor is a welcome inclusion back into the side.
“They are a very profession group of young men, our boys, the way they train and the way they apply themselves to their work. We are really confident in our preparation and happy with where we are right now.” Murphy said.
“Manu is a real X-factor for us. He is a tackle breaker, a line runner, aggressive in how he plays the game so he will be handful. We are ecstatic that he is back but we will all have to be very good.”
Kick off is at 4pm with the game shown live on Fox Sports One.
Full-season Eels Ticketed Members receive reciprocal member rights to this year’s Easter Monday clash. Click here for more info
Avoid the hassle and take public transport, which is included in your ticket, to the game. For more information on public transport, click here.
