The Parramatta Eels take on the Canberra Raiders at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Saturday 1 April for Round Five of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur has made one change to his starting line up that suffered a 20-6 defeat to the reigning Premiers, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks last week, with Tepai Moeroa returning from suspension, moving forward Frank Pritchard onto the bench.
With Frank Pritchard moving to the bench, it forces David Gower to join Peni Terepo (who returns from suspension), Jeff Robson and George Jennings on an extended bench.
For the Canberra Raiders, Head Coach Ricky Stuart has named a 21-man line up with hooker Josh Hodgson named in the starting side. The hooker will be monitored at training this week after suffering a minor sternum injury against the Broncos.
Stuart has also named prop-forward David Taylor on his bench, replacing Elliott Whitehead who has been ruled out through suspension, as Sio Soliola moves to the starting line up.
The only other change for the home side that suffered a 13-12 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos last week, is lock Clay Priest named in the starting side, with Luke Bateman named on the bench.
The Eels started their season with two wins, before the side suffered defeats to the Gold Coast Titans and Cronulla Sharks in Rounds 3&4. The Raiders hold a 1-3 record to start the season, suffering to defeats to the North Queensland Cowboys, Cronulla Sharks and Broncos, however they came away convincing 46-6 victors over the Wests Tigers in their last up start at GIO Stadium (Round Three).
Historically, whilst the record between the two sides is split by just one victory, the green machine hold a strong recent record over the Blue & Gold, claiming seven victories from their past nine meetings. In their last clash at GIO Stadium, R24, 2016, the Raiders came away 28-18 victors after the Eels led early. The Eels last defeated the Raiders earlier that year, coming away 36-6 victors at Pirtek Stadium.
Whilst both sides boast plenty of dangers and strike power in their back line, expect the battle of the forwards to go a long way in determining the victor of this clash.
The Eels NRL clash is the third game of Saturday’s triple-header at Canberra’s GIO Stadium with the Eels NYC in action at 1:15pm and the Wentworthville Magpies in action against Mounties at 3:15pm.
Kick off is at 5:30pm.
LAST TIME WE MET
Match Details: Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium on Saturday 1 April. Kick off at 5:30pm.
The Eels NRL clash is the third game of Saturday’s triple-header at Canberra’s GIO Stadium with the Eels NYC in action at 1:15pm and the Wentworthville Magpies in action against Mounties at 3:15pm.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live from 5pm (AEDT).
The History: Played 53; Raiders 27; Eels 26.
The Raiders have a strong record over the Eels, claiming seven victories in their past nine meetings. In their last clash at GIO Stadium, Round 24, 2016, the Raiders came away 28-18 victors. The Eels last defeated the Green Machine earlier that year, coming away 36-6 victors at Pirtek Stadium.
Parramatta Eels squad: 1. Bevan French 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Clint Gutherson 7. Corey Norman 8. Suaia Matagi 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tim Mannah (C) 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Beau Scott (c)
Interchange: 14. Nathan Brown 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Frank Pritchard 17. Siosaia Vave 18. David Gower 19. Peni Terepo 20. Jeff Robson 21. George Jennings
Canberra Raiders squad: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker (c) 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Sia Soliola 13. Clay Priest
Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Luke Bateman 16. David Taylor 17. Joe Tapine 18. Jordan Turner 19. Scott Sorensen 20. Dunamis Lui 21. Zac Santo
Match Officials: Referee: Gerard Sutton; Assistant Referee: Alan Shortall; Touch Judges: Rickey Mcfarlane and Michael Gordon; Review Official: Steve Chiddy; Senior RO: Luke Patten.
