The Parramatta Eels take on the New Zealand Warriors tonight at ANZ Stadium for Round 13 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Previewing the game thanks to betting.club, Blue & Gold Assistant Coach Steve Murphy says the Eels will need to put in a much improved performance against a dangerous outfit, with plenty of dangers, against a side that beat them earlier on in the year.
“I thought physically we were very good in the first half, and the second half we dropped away a little bit and sort of let them back in the contest and we will need to be better this week and play the full 80 minutes,” Murphy said of the Eels last week’s performance.
“You do have a look back at the last clash and see where we went wrong. I thought they controlled the ball better than us, kicked better than us. We let ourselves down with our kicking game and let ourselves down in a couple of really big moments in the game,” Murphy added.
“ There was a couple of tries, including letting Kieran Foran go down the short side and get us, and we knew that was coming, so that was disappointing from that regard but I am sure you will see a better performance this week.”
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Murphy says that despite the opposition’s recent up and down form, he is not focused on that but rather their own performance.
“I know it has been said before, but you really concentrate on your own backyard and make sure that is in check.” Murphy said.
“We have to make sure we control where we give them the football and play for longer periods of the game than we have been.”
The Warriors will boast plenty of dangers, right across the park, including former Eels Kieran Foran.
“They have big bodies out of the back field, their spine is world class. It’s an international spine so we will have to do a good job on their 6,7 and 9 and go from there.”
“Foran and Johnson are both world class players, and we will have to do a job on them, but at the same time, you have to do a job on their forwards so they don’t get into the game."
“Hopefully we can do that, control their forward pack, and everything will go from there.”
For the Eels, Murphy was excited to welcome back Nathan Brown to the squad, and noted than an extra week for Mitch Moses on the training paddock would be beneficial.
“We said initially we need to be patient with Mitchell but I thought he has taking great strides this week and the challenge for him this week is to back it up week in week out.”
“I am sure he can do that, I think he is relishing the role of controlling the team and we are very happy with his progress.”
“Nathan doesn’t just bring skill, he is a real forward leader and has a presence in the middle of the field. He is an intimidory type forward and we need that against a physical pack this week so we are looking forward to having him back that’s for sure.”
Kick off in tonight’s clash is from 7:50pm at ANZ Stadium. Click through to purchase your tickets to the clash and be there to cheer on the Blue & Gold boys.
