The Dyldam Parramatta Eels NRL side head to Canberra’s GIO Stadium this Sunday August 21 to take on the in-form Canberra Raiders in Round 24 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Blue and Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur named his side earlier in the week, making two changes to his side that suffered a 38-16 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos last week, with winger Semi Radradra and forward Beau Scott returning from injury.
Manu Ma'u remains in the centres with Brad Takairangi ruled out.
For the home side, Raiders Head Coach Ricky Stuart has named a side without hooker Josh Hodgson, who will miss the match through suspension, after pleading no contest for a grade one dangerous contact charge from their 22-8 victory over the Melbourne Storm.
Hodgson will be replaced in the starting team by Kurt Baptiste, with Adam Clydsdale coming onto the bench. Jarrad Kennedy has been added to the squad as 18th man.
The Raiders will enter the clash with plenty of confidence, coming off big wins over two of the top placed teams. A victory over the Cronulla Sharks followed by a relentless 22-8 win over the Storm in the past fortnight sees the Raiders sit outright third with three games remaining in the regular season.
However, with nothing to lose, and plenty of pride to play for, the Blue and Gold are confident of coming away with the two points in the nation’s capital. The Eels had an impressive 36-6 victory over the Green Machine earlier in the year, Round 6, 2016 at Pirtek Stadium and will travel south looking to repeat that performance.
The sides have two wins apiece over the past three years, however the Blue and Gold record in Canberra favours the home side strongly.
Kick off is at 2pm.
R24 INJURY REPORT / TRAINING GALLERY
Match Details: Dyldam Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium on Sunday August 21. Kick off at 2pm.
Televised: Fox Sports 1 – Live coverage from 1.30pm.
The History: Played 52; Raiders 26, Eels 26. The history is even between these two sides, with both teams claiming two wins a piece over the past three seasons. The Eels came away 36-6 victors in Round 6, 2016 when these two sides met last at Pirtek Stadium however in the nation’s capital, the Blue and Gold are on a five match losing streak and have won just one of their past 10 visits.
Parramatta Eels Squad:
1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Manu Ma’u 5. Bevan French 6. Clint Gutherson 7. Jeff Robson 8. Danny Wicks 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Tim Mannah 11. Kenny Edwards 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Beau Scott
Interchange: 14. Kaysa Pritchard 15. David Gower 16. Peni Terepo 17. Daniel Alvaro
Canberra Raiders Squad:
1. Jack Wighton 2. Brenko Lee 3. Jarrod Croker (c) 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Kurt Baptiste 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Sia Soliola
Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Luke Bateman 16. Clay Priest 17. Joe Tapine 18. Jarrad Kennedy
Match Officials:
Referee: Dave Munro. Assistant referee: Alan Shortall. Sideline officials: Dave Ryan and Clayton Sharpe. Review officials: Bryan Norrie & Jared Maxwell. Senior review official: Luke Patten.
