The Dyldam Parramatta Eels take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium tonight, Friday 17 June, for their Round 15 clash of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Previewing the game thanks to betting.club, Blue and Gold Assistant Coach Steve Murphy says the Eels will be looking to make up for a disappointing performance in Round 10, that saw the side go down to the Rabbitohs at Pirtek Stadium.
“They [South Sydney Rabbitohs] were pretty physical that night and they played strong for the whole 80 minutes and we fell away with our performance,” Murphy said.
“We are a bit disappointed with how that finished so hopefully we are better tonight.”
Murphy predicts a big battle up front, pinpointing Thomas and Sam Burgess as their main two dangermen in the forward pack.
However Murphy said the side will need to be weary of all their forwards and prepared physically, which will go a long way in earning the two points.
“They are a very strong forward pack and the Burgess boys roll them down the field well and get them on the front foot and they play off the back of that.,” Murphy said.
“We have to minimise that and be very physical ourselves to respond to them.”
“Nathan Brown has been doing a very good job for them and Paul Carter was really aggressive against us so we have to match that and make sure we are doing our job defensively.”
“If we do that, we think we can get the game.”
With the Rabbitohs without Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds through Origin duties, Murphy expects the side to be just as dangerous with halves pairing Cody Walker and Luke Keary steering the side around the park.
“Their spine is very dangerous. Cody Walker is a prestigious talent, Luke Keary carved us up when he came on and changed the game at Pirtek Stadium a few weeks back and Alex Johnston is in his favourite position at fullback, Murphy said.
“They aren’t weakened a great deal, they are class players the two [Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds] who are playing Origin, but they have plenty of depth in those key positions.”
For the Eels who welcome Vai Toutai in the side, in place of Michael Jennings, and Kenny Edwards to retain his spot in the halves alongside Corey Norman, Murphy expects a strong performance from the team.
“I am pleased for Vai, he is a real talent and he deserves an opportunity and he will take it tonight.”
“We won’t have him [Kenny Edwards] kicking too much I don’t think, but he has all the skills and all the talent. He had an 80 minute performance there last week and he will be better for that so the longer he plays in that position, the longer you build combinations,” Murphy continued.
“They will put on a good performance and you can expect Kenny to play well tonight.”
“It is very important, we know what our situation is and everyone has spoken about it but coming into a bye, it is an important performance for us, it’s a four point game.” Murphy added.
“We want to play really well tonight.”
The Eels kick off against the Rabbitohs at 7:50pm. Click here for all the Game Day Info
