The Parramatta Eels take on the Brisbane Broncos tonight at Suncorp Stadium in Round 25 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Previewing the game thanks to betting.club, Blue & Gold Assistant Coach Steve Murphy says the side will take plenty of confidence after last week’s victory, but will be up against a different proposition this week.
“It was a positive response I thought,” Murphy said when reflecting on last week’s 30-8 victory over the Gold Coast Titans.
“Defensively I thought we were pretty good, we defended long periods on our try line which is always pleasing.”
“It was good confidence boosting defence for the team but it is a much different proposition up at Suncorp this week.”
Murphy says the clash will be a special occasion for many of the Blue & Gold squad, as they prepare themselves for the Finals.
“It will be a packed house, or certainly a good crowd up there and the atmosphere will be fantastic.” Murphy said.
“It is a great experience for our boys, it is a young team and playing in front of 40,000 plus people at Suncorp is just an experience that most of them probably haven’t had in their career to this date so it’s an important game for us.”
“Every game is important as you know, but for us this is a special one,” Murphy added.
“It is very important in terms of experience at that level, the intensity at that level. It’s a new experience for a lot of our boys so every game is like a Semi Final from this game on and it’s all a preparation for the games at the end of the season.”
The Broncos boast a line up with plenty of dangers and experience and Murphy knows the Eels will need to be prepared.
“Their halves are very dangerous and very quick and elusive and Ben Hunt has been fantastic out of dummy half,” Murphy said.
“Their forwards all offload the ball and they really test you from sideline to sideline so we will have to defend well.”
“They blew us off the park early in the game last time we played them, we will have to start a lot better, and then get into the contest from there.” Murphy added.
“But we are excited for the game and really looking forward to it.”
Murphy says the Eels will take plenty of confidence out of the last clash, but it will also motive the Broncos.
“They will be hurting by that performance, they are a proud club and the Broncos wouldn’t like getting beaten by us but at the same time, we are out to prove it was no fluke.” Murphy said.
“We will certainly be giving a good account of ourselves tonight.”
The Eels will be without fullback Bevan French and forward Manu Ma’u who have been ruled out with injury and suspension.
“Will will continue to get better every minute he plays and that is something we are mindful of and he is mindful of. That experience is invaluable and it will be another invaluable experience that he will get better on the back of.” Murphy said.
“We are excited for Will and he is excited to play.”
“Kenny will have a target on his head, probably, this week.” Murphy added.
“But Kenny knows that discipline wise, it is an area of his game that he needs to get on top of and I am sure you will see a disciplined performance from Kenny this week.”
The Eels kick off against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium tonight at 7:50pm.
