The Parramatta Eels take on the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium this afternoon in Round 20 of the NRL Telstra Premiership, where the two Clubs will play for the inaugural Stay Kind Cup.
Previewing the game thanks to betting.club, Blue & Gold Assistant Coach Pete Gentle knows the clash against the Wests Tigers will not be an easy one.
“The two week turn around has been a real good opportunity to freshen up. Even with our last bye, we had ten days in between games, so the fifteen days has been a great opportunity to freshen everyone up. We have a few players coming back from injury and a couple more players close so it is a good time,” Gentle said of the Eels coming off a long turnaround between games.
“The Wests Tigers are very dangerous. You have Tedesco and Nofualuma out the back there, and they are both in the Top Four for tackle breaks this season across the entire competition so our kick chase line will be very important,” Gentle added.
“The clashes between these two Clubs are always very tight games.”
“They were unlucky last week, they probably had Manly done. The ball went against them and a couple of errors at the wrong time, but I think they should have won.”
The Eels will see prop Siosaia Vave called into the starting side, with Gentle saying the forward will bring a bit of size up front to match it with the opposition forward pack.
“Vaves is going well and he will bring a bit of size. We just lack a bit of size up front there and he is that big body we need,” Gentle said.
“He has been good, pushing out more minutes and he will continue to do that.”
“It was a tough decision to move Daniel Alvaro back to the bench but he is actually playing more minutes coming off the bench,” he added.
“He is a very good, honest player for us and he is also going well.”
Eels halfback Mitch Moses will come up against his former side for the first time since a mid-season switch, however Gentle said he his preparation towards this game has been no different to any other game this season.
“From the outside, you wouldn’t know Mitch was coming up against his former Club. He is very meticulous in his preparation anyway, but this week has been no different.”
“He has been good and just been himself.”
