Monday has two NRL matches with the first game for Round 7 is between Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers with the opening kick to commence at 4pm local time. The game is to be played at ANZ Stadium with the favourite for the match being Parramatta Eels. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers.
WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Monday 4pm
Preview:
Who would have thought at the start of the season that the clash between the Eels and Tigers would be such an anticipated match? The two clubs filled the bottom two spots on last year’s ladder but have both showed significant improvement in 2014 and both have a current winning record of 4 – 2. Parramatta reversed a 52 point mauling by the Roosters in Round 2 with a gutsy 14 -12 win over the same side last week.
It made it two wins in a row for the Eels who defeated the Broncos in Brisbane, in round 5. New Coach Brad Arthur has the Eels ticking over nicely at present and there’s a good balance in the side which has taken pressure of Jarryd Hayne, giving him more time and options than he has had in recent years. Parramatta’s forward pack is also holding it’s own with new editions to the club, Nathan Peats and Manu Ma’u, the stand-outs.
Despite an impressive 34 – 18 win over Manly in round 5, the Tigers went into last week’s clash against the Cowboys at Campbelltown as the outsiders.
It was a tight struggle early between the two side and it wasn’t until the dying moment of the first half that the Tigers got on the board with a try to Robbie Farah, giving them a slender 6 – 4 lead at the break.
A quick try when returning for the second half gave the Tigers some breathing room and they were able to maintain that advantage before sealing the game with a try to Pat Richards, his fifth for the season, in the 73rd minute.
The 16 – 4 win was soured by a dislocated elbow to Robbie Farah whose position this week will be taken by Joel Luani. On the positive side, Braith Anasta returns from suspension.
Parramatta welcome back Darcy Lussick from suspension in an otherwise unchanged line-up.
The Eels won 26 – 22 when the two clubs last met at the back-end of last season but that was only the second time in eight games since 2010, that the Eels have been successful. The last five of those games have resulted in a total match score in excess of 40 points.
Parramatta will take advantage of Farah being out and record their fourth straight win.
Teams:
Parramatta Eels:
Jarryd Hayne (capt), Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga, Ken Sio, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (capt), Nathan Peats, Fuifui Moimoi, Kenny Edwards, Manu Ma’u, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Darcy Lussick, Mitch Allgood, David Gower, Pauli Pauli.
Wests Tigers:
Kurtis Rowe, David Nofoaluma, Tim Simona, Chris Lawrence, Pat Richards, Braith Anasta (capt), Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Joel Luani, Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, Bodene Thompson, Adam Blair. Interchange: Martin Taupau, Ava Seumanufagai, James Gavet, Sitaleki Akauola, Blake Austin (one to be omitted).Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer says the NRL club will give Campbelltown Sports Stadium “one last throw of the dice” before deciding whether it is financial for the club to play any more home games there after this season.
Mayer expressed bitter disappointment after announcing a poor crowd of 6456 during halftime of Wests Tigers’ 16-4 win over North Queensland on Saturday night.
Just six days earlier, a crowd of 16,311 cheered the Tigers to a superb victory over Manly at Leichhardt Oval – the spiritual home of the Tigers and a venue that, like Campbelltown, hosts four home games a season.
“I thank the 6500 fans for coming out. They are die-hard fans. I scratch my head wondering what more we can do to attract a crowd at Campbelltown Sports Stadium,” a bemused Mayer said.
Mayer then announced that $10 tickets would be made available for the Wests Tigers’ next home match at Campbelltown against Brisbane in round 11 on May 24. The match marks the 15th anniversary of the club’s first premiership match in 2000.
“Come sit anywhere you like,” Mayer stated.
“It is a last throw of the dice for Campbelltown to come and show they support their club. Then, we will have to reassess whether we continue to run games here at a loss.
“I feel sorry for the 6500 who did attend tonight. They’re the ones who support their team through thick and thin.
“It is incredible to think 16,000 sat and stood in the rain to watch the team win against one of the competition heavyweights but, six days later, we have 6000 at one of the greatest venues in rugby league in Campbelltown Sports Stadium.”
