Monday first NRL Round 7 match 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 which see’s home team Parramatta Eels hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers.

WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Monday 4pm

Odds Comparison:

Parramatta Eels	1.44	1.45	1.47	1.45	1.44	1.48
Wests Tigers	2.90	2.80	2.75	2.80	2.90	2.65

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

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 73^rd 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).

News:

 

Steve Roach brings himself close to tears with his pep talks, but his mere presence has some at the Wests Tigers scared into submission.

The Balmain legend’s arrival as the club’s forwards coach in 2014 seems to have injected some bite back into what was a toothless pack last NRL season when they finished second-last.

The man who carried much of the load in 2013, Aaron Woods, has been in career-best form this year and – with the backing of Keith Galloway, Marty Taupau, James Gavet and Ava Seumanufagai – has helped the Tigers outmuscle some of the game’s biggest packs in South Sydney and Manly.

They now sit third on the ladder with four wins from six games and have the chance to go further when they face fellow surprise packets Parramatta on Easter Monday.

“I think we’re working as a team in the forward pack,” Woods said on Wednesday.

“It helps when myself and Keithy go off and then get blokes like Taupau and Gavet and Ava come on, we don’t lose the momentum going forward so it’s really good.”

Woods said Roach’s `old school’ mentality had rubbed off onto the Tigers’ frontrow.

“He’s definitely old school. He doesn’t even worry about the backs, he doesn’t even talk to them I don’t think,” laughed Woods.

“He just comes in and just talks to you. When he’s talking to you, it looks like he’s about to cry and the goosebumps get up.

“He’s just real passionate about his rugby league.”

Teammate Adam Blair agreed, but said `Blocker’ Roach – banned in 2008 for abusing referee Tony Archer while NSW Origin assistant coach – still had the scare factor.

“He comes in and when we do our video sessions, he stands in front of us and we all get around Block,” the forward said.

“He just gets there and yells us things and everyone’s eyes are up. We don’t say much – he does all the talking and we just shake our heads.

“He’s a scary guy when he gets going but everyone respects Blocker and all the boys love to get around him. We love having his chats.”

Woods, hoping to earn a State of Origin recall with his top club form, said it was nice to hear the plaudits for his once-struggling side but admitted more work was needed.

“If someone gives us a wrap, we’re happy for it. But we don’t really buy into it. We’re just more worried about getting the Tigers on the front foot.”

Both Woods and Blair were confident 22-year-old Joel Luani would step up in the absence of hooker Robbie Farah, who is set to miss up to six weeks after dislocating his elbow.

Meanwhile Liam Fulton sat out Wednesday’s training session with a suspected shoulder problem, but the forward was confident he’d be fit for Monday’s round-seven match.