Match Preview: Roosters v Eels

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 29 Mar 2023, 01:59 PM

The Eels will travel to the new Sydney Football Stadium for the first time on Thursday as west meets east in a showdown with the Roosters.

On the back of a momentous, golden point win against Penrith, the Eels will be eager to maintain their momentum heading into the upcoming Easter weekend.

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Team News

With Junior Paulo unavailable for the next two weeks, Eels coach Brad Arthur has handed Wiremu Greig his first ever NRL starting role.

Jack Murchie comes onto the bench, returning from a head injury.

As for the Roosters, suspended centre Joseph Manu is replaced in the backline by Drew Hutchison, with Corey Allen elevated to the bench.

Former Eels forward Nathan Brown, who recently joined the Roosters, is not included in the Tricolours side.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Thursday 30 Mar

Full Time

Roosters

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Drew Hutchison

Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson Paulo

Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Eels is number 10 Wiremu Greig
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Jake Turpin

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Matt Doorey
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Corey Allan

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Jack Murchie
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Arthur
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Ben Thomas

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:53 AM

Recent History

The spoils were shared across the two Eels-Roosters encounters in 2022. The Bondi boys edged the Eels in a Magic Round thriller, before Parramatta got revenge with a first half attacking masterclass at CommBank Stadium.

Match Highlights: Eels v Roosters

Shaun Lane stood out with two terrific try assists, while Maika Sivo applied the finishing touch to a magical team try.

Form Guide

An instant classic Battle of the West saw the Eels score their first win of 2023 last round.

NRL Match Highlights: Eels v Panthers

Mitchell Moses sunk Parramatta’s local rivals with a golden point field goal, capping off a memorable night which also saw Brendan Hands score a try on debut.

The Roosters had a slow start to the season, losing to NRL newcomers the Dolphins and scraping past the Warriors in the opening weeks. They enjoyed a win over South Sydney in Round 3, and had a bye last week.

Key Stat

Every Eels match this season has been a nail-biter. Each game has been decided by four points or less, with golden point, goal-kicking or field goals required to separate the Eels from their opposition.

Key Match-Up

With close matches such a consistent theme in the Eels’ season, all eyes will be on halfbacks Mitchell Moses and Sam Walker. Both goal-kickers with a history of delivering clutch plays, the no. 7 matchup could go a long way to determining Thursday night’s result.