Match Preview: Eels v Cowboys

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 24 May 2023, 04:00 PM

The Eels and Cowboys will meet for the first time since their epic 2022 Preliminary Final as Parramatta make their return to CommBank Stadium on Friday night.

The Blue & Gold will be buzzing for their first match in PARRAdise in almost a month, buoyed by their big win over the Rabbitohs and the arrival of Joe Ofahengaue.

Classic Encounter: Eels v Cowboys

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Team News

There have been big changes to both sides in light of State of Origin selection, injuries and recruitment.

The Eels have lost three forwards from last week's win over Souths with Junior Paulo (Origin), Ryan Matterson (calf) and Andrew Davey (concussion) all unavailable.

Joe Ofahengaue, who signed with the Eels this week in a mid-season transfer, has been brought into the starting side at front row for his Parramatta debut.

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Young prop Luca Moretti will make his NRL debut after being named on the bench in jersey no. 16. The other new face is Matt Doorey, who returns to the NRL side in the second row.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, have lost four players to Origin duty: Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Rueben Cotter and Tom Dearden.

Zac Laybutt and Robert Derby have been named to make their NRL debuts for North Queensland, while Jason Taumalolo is included as a reserve after missing the past month with a knee injury.

Round 13 - Round 13 - Friday 26 May

Full Time

Eels

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Robert Derby
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Ben Hampton
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Wiremu Greig

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Eels is number 10 Joe Ofahengaue

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Heilum Luki
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Matt Doorey

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 14 Jack Gosiewski
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jake Granville

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ofahiki Ogden

Interchange for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Luca Moretti

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Daejarn Asi

Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Brendan Elliot

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:48 AM

Form Guide

The Eels enter the match on the back of a statement win over South Sydney in Indigenous Round. Parramatta's halves were immense as the Blue & Gold blew the Rabbitohs off the park away from home.

NRL Match Highlights: Rabbitohs v Eels

North Queensland suffered a crushing 48-point defeat to the Wests Tigers last week, and will be desperate to bounce back.

Recent History

The past ten meetings between the Eels and Cowboys have been split down the middle, with each side enjoying five wins.

Their most recent encounter came in last year's Preliminary Finals, when the Eels famously travelled to Townsville and secured a Grand Final berth against all odds.

Key Match-Up

With both sides missing several key players, halfbacks Mitchell Moses and Chad Townsend will be tasked with rallying their troops on Friday night.

The two no. 7s have posted fairly even statistics this season, and both will be on a mission to lead their undermanned team to an important victory.

Key Stat

New Eels recruit Joe Ofahengaue is set to face the Cowboys for the second time in the space of seven days.

The 27-year old played part and scored a try in Wests Tigers' 66-18 win over North Queensland on Saturday, and will tackle the same opposition this week in his Blue & Gold debut.