You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Match Preview

Eels v Warriors: Arthur gets a recall; COVID, sickness hits Warriors

Author
pan66.com
Timestamp

Parramatta play host to the Warriors at CommBank Stadium on Friday night with the home side looking to get back into the top four by finding some consistency.

The Eels got back on track with a sound 28-20 victory over the Wests Tigers last week but their final 15 minutes of the match proved they're still not quite at the ruthless premiership-winning level they were when they started the season. 

Parramatta have gone W-L-W-L-W in their past five matches with their clash against the Warriors a chance to break the unwanted trend. 

The Warriors broke a seven-game losing streak with victory over the Wests Tigers in round 16 before enjoying a bye round.

Despite their finals chances looking slim, after the appointment of Andrew Webster for 2023, many players will be looking to finish the season strong and impress the new coach. 

Sportsbet Betting preview: Eels v Warriors

The Rundown

Team news

Eels: There were no late changes to Brad Arthur's side, with skipper Junior Paulo set to back up just 48 hours after his Origin III performance. Marata Niukore shifts back to lock, Makahesi Makatao to the bench and Nathan Brown to the reserves. Ryan Matterson (ribs) remains sidelined after missing the win over the Tigers. Jake Arthur has been added to the bench for his first game since Round 8 and Elie El-Zakhem is 18th Man.

Warriors: Aaron Pene will start at prop, with Addin Fonua-Blake dropping back to the bench in the only late change after a disrupted week for the Warriors, Interim head coach Stacey Jones is yet to test negative after contracting COVID and looks unlikely to join the squad, with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak already ruled out after testing positive. The non-COVID virus which led to Ronald Volkman being left out of the squad has hit Jazz Tevaga too, but the forward remains likely to play. While he continues to feel the lingering impacts of COVID, departing fullback Reece Walsh is set to play against the Eels.

Edward Kosi, who has scored seven tries in his past five games for Redcliffe in the Hostplus Cup, gets a shot on the wing in place of Watene-Zelezniak, while Chanel Harris-Tavita replaces Volkman at five-eighth. Jack Murchie joins the bench with Bayley Sironen suffering a fractured eye socket.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Marcelo Montoya
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Jesse Arthars
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel   Harris-Tavita
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Tohu Harris
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    Prop for Warriors is number 16 Aaron Pene
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Josh Curran
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 Marata Niukore
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi Makatoa
    Interchange for Warriors is number 8 Addin  Fonua-Blake
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jake Arthur
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ky Rodwell
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jack Murchie

Reserves

  • Replacement for Eels is number 19 Elie El-Zakhem
    Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Eliesa Katoa

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Touch Judge: Darian Furner
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Key match-up

Reagan Campbell-Gillard v Jazz Tevaga: A mismatch with size on paper but both fiery customers on the footy field who can give as much as they can take. RCG was a target of the Tigers last start but came out on top in the end with a crucial try and 100 metres. Tevaga, who is playing up front to fill the void left by Matt Lodge, ran for 143 metres in 44 minutes in round 17 and won't back down from a challenge. 

Stat Attack

Both sides come into the match as the kings of the charge down with 12 between the clubs to start the year, so expect to see at least one on Friday night. Warriors forward Josh Curran and Eels hooker Reed Mahoney are equal in the competition with three each. 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Premier Partner

Media Partners

Major Partners

 View All Partners