Sterlo's Parra Preview - Eels v Wests Tigers, Round Eight
The Parramatta Eels take on the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 29 April in Round Eight of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
After securing their first win of the season, a commanding 44-10 victory over the Sea Eagles last week, Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur has made just the one change to his starting line up with Bevan French recalled to the wing in place of an injured Jarryd Hayne.
Daniel Alvaro and Suaia Matagi remaining in the starting forward pack with, Manu Ma’u, Tony Williams and Peni Terepo the back row, with Nathan Brown still on the sideline.
Will Smith, Kenny Edwards, David Gower, Tim Mannah, Tepai Moeroa, Kane Evans, Josh Hoffman and Cameron King form the extended bench.
For the Wests Tigers, Head Coach Ivan Cleary has made one change to his side that suffered a 22-20 defeat to the Newcastle Knights last week, with Chris Lawrence returning from a hamstring injury in the starting line up.
The Wests Tigers had a match winning lead last week before a valiant effort from the Knights saw them come away with a victory with minutes to spare.
Josh Aloiai moves the bench in his pace with Alex Twal dropping out of the 21 man squad.
The Wests Tigers came away with a 30-20 victory over the Blue & Gold earlier in the season however the Eels will enter the clash in a positive frame of mind after ending their six game losing streak last week.
Historically, the Eels hold a head to head advantage over the Wests Tigers, with 20 wins from 36 clashes and nine wins from 13 games at ANZ Stadium.
Eels co-captain Clint Gutherson will play his 50th NRL game.
Kick off is at 4:10pm.
Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers, 4.10pm Sunday at ANZ Stadium
Head-to-head: Played 36; Eels 20 wins, Wests Tigers 15 wins
Matches at venue: Played 13; Eels 9 wins, Wests Tigers 4 wins
2017 results: Eels won 26-22 at ANZ Stadium in round 7 and 17-16 at ANZ Stadium in round 20
Points per game: Eels 12.9; Wests Tigers 18
Points conceded per game: Eels 23.1; Wests Tigers 12.7
Televised: Live on Nine, Fox League
Eels: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Kaysa Pritchard, 10 Suaia Matagi, 11 Manu Ma'u, 12 Tony Williams, 13 Peni Terepo
Interchange: 14 Will Smith, 15 Kenny Edwards, 16 David Gower, 17 Tim Mannah (c) 18 Tepai Moeroa, 19 Kane Evans, 20 Josh Hoffman, 21 Cameron King
Wests Tigers: 1 Corey Thompson, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Benji Marshall (c), 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Matthew Eisenhuth, 9 Jacob Liddle, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Elijah Taylor (c)
Interchange: 14 Pita Godinet, 15 Josh Aloiai, 16 Michael Chee-Kam, 17 Sauaso Sue 18 Tim Grant, 19 Chris McQueen, 20 Tyson Gamble, 21 Mahe Fonua
