Eels v Warriors, Round 19 Match Preview

The Parramatta Eels take on the New Zealand Warriors at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday afternoon (27 July) in Round 19 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

After a 36-24 defeat to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles last week, Arthur has made a handful of changes to his line up with new recruit Waqa Blake named to make his Eels debut in the centres, shifting Josh Hoffman to the wing.

Marata Niukore comes into the starting side in place of an injured Shaun Lane named in the second row.

Oregon Kaufusi and Daniel Alvaro have been recalled to the side on the bench alongside David Gower and Tepai Moeroa with Jaeman Salmon, Andrew Davey, Tim Mannah and Ethan Parry the reserves.

For the opposition, Warriors Head Coach Stephen Kearney has named his outfit to take on the Eels, welcoming back winger Ken Maumalo from a one-game absence. 

After a 19-18 victory over the Sharks last week, the Warriors top try scorer returns to the side in place of Adam Pompey, the only change to their line up. 

Half Kodi Nikorima picked up an ankle injury last week but has been named for the clash.

The Round 19 clash against the ninth placed Warriors looms as a vital clash with just seven games remaining in the regular season. With teams now fighting to secure their spot in the top eight, the sixth placed Eels will be looking to return to the winners circle as they return home to Bankwest Stadium.

While Eels fullback and captain Clint Gutherson has to over-shadow opposing fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the battle between halves Mitch Moses and Blake Green will prove decisive. Green was great against the Sharks last week, while Moses has been in strong, consistent form over the past few weeks.

Warriors captain Tuivasa-Sheck has been in strong form, running for over 300m for the third week straight.

A 4-1 home record at Bankwest Stadium, the Eels will be looking to begin their consistent form as they start their run home of the regular season, starting this week.

Eels winger Maika Sivo is the NRL's leading try-scorer (13), while Warriors winger Ken Maumalo (12) is equal second with Corey Oates and Latrell Mitchell. RTS has run for the most metres in the competition (3,307) and Maumalo is second (3,088).

The Warriors claimed bragging rights over the Eels in their only meeting in 2018, scoring two late tries for a 24-14 win. Parra trailed 12-2 at half-time before forging ahead 14-12 after converted tries to Clint Gutherson and Manu Ma'u. Tries to Jazz Tevaga and Isaac Luke saved the Warriors, with Mason Lino converting both.

Historically, the Eels hold a slight head to head advantage over their Warriors counterparts and the Eels and Warriors both have have three wins over the last five weeks, with the Warriors also having a bye in that time.

Kick off is at 3pm.