Saturday’s first NRL Round 18 match is between New Zealand Warriors and Parramatta Eels with the opening kick to commence at 17:30 local time. The game is to be played at Mt Smart Stadium which see’s home team New Zealand Warriors hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between New Zealand Warriors and Parramatta Eels.
Where and when: 17:30 | Saturday 12/07/2014 @ Mt Smart Stadium
Preview:
The Warriors posted their fourth win from their past five matches with a come-from-behind victory over Penrith in round 16.
The only loss the Warriors have suffered during this period has been at the hands of South Sydney in a match where the Warriors had to travel to Perth.
The Warriors now sit inside of the top eight and head into the back end of the season with confidence and a full head of steam.
The big outside backs for the Warriors have been causing plenty of damage and posting plenty of tries with the Warriors averaging an impressive 27.75 points in their past four victories.
Yet to taste defeat in three games this season at Mt Smart Stadium, the Warriors, who are coming off a bye last week, head into this game with the only change to their most recent line-up being Suaia Matagi for injured prop Sam Rapira.
EELS
After a disappointing loss to the Storm in Melbourne back in round 15, the Eels were expected to bounce back against the Newcastle at Pirtek Stadium in round 16, a venue where they had remained unbeaten in six matches this season.
Unfortunately the Eels were again their worst own enemy, with poor discipline and execution costing them their perfect home ground record in a 16 – 10 loss.
That loss and some unexpected results last week – when Parramatta had the bye – has cost the Eels outright fourth spot on the ladder and they now are in ninth spot – tied with six other teams on 20 competition points.
Their recent form will see them quickly drop out of this group and struggle to keep in touch.
Heading to New Zealand will be a tough task, especially with star Fullback Jarryd Hayne not being named in the side to back up from Origin Game III in Queensland. The Eels struggle without their attacking weapon.
Chris Sandow, who did have a good game when filling in for Hayne against the Bulldogs recently, has been named to take his spot with Luke Kelly to start at halfback.
Forwards Tim Mannah and Kenny Edwards are out with Fuifui Moimoi and Ken Sio added to the bench.
HEAD TO HEAD.
The Warriors were defeated 36 – 16 by the Eels in the opening round this year but the Warriors, who now have a new coach since that game, are in a better place and much stronger form.
The Eels have lost each of their past three visits to Mt. Smart Stadium – twice by margins of 13+, and with the changes to their line-up this week significant, a similar result could be on the cards here.
Teams:
WARRIORS: Sam Tomkins, David Fusitua, Konrad Hurrell, Dane Nielsen, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Nathan Friend, Suaia Matagi, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering, Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange: Feleti Mateo, Ben Matulino, Ben Henry, Charlie Gubb, Raymond Faitala-Mariner.
EELS: Chris Sandow, Semi Radradra, Ryan Morgan, Willie Tonga (c), Vai Toutai, Corey Norman, Luke Kelly, Darcy Lussick, Isaac De Gois, Junior Paulo, David Gower, Pauli Pauli, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Fuifui Moimoi, Mitch Allgood, Peni Terepo, Ken Sio.
News:
Prop Ben Matulino returns from injury to strengthen an in-form Warriors side when they take on Parramatta on Saturday in Auckland.
Matulino, who hasn’t appeared since June 7, missed the past two matches because of minor knee surgery but returns to take his place on the bench against the Eels.
“Ben’s return is right on schedule,” Warriors coach Andrew McFadden said.
“He had some cartilage trouble (in his right knee) but it’s been sorted and he’s ready to go again this week.”
Matulino comes in for another experienced prop Sam Rapira, who will miss the game with a knee injury, with Suaia Matagi taking his place in the run-on team.
The seventh-placed Warriors go into Saturday’s match well in contention for the playoffs.
They sit on 20 competition points with six other teams, including the Eels. Only three teams – Penrith, Manly and Canterbury – are ahead of them on points, each with 24.
The match is the last in a three-game home stretch, the first two of which brought victories against Brisbane and the Panthers.
It will be centre Konrad Hurrell’s 50th match for the Warriors.
Warriors: Sam Tomkins, David Fusitu’a, Konrad Hurrell, Dane Nielsen, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Nathan Friend, Suaia Matagi, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering (capt), Sebastine Ikahihifo. Res: Feleti Mateo, Ben Matulino, Ben Henry, Charlie Gubb, Raymond Faitala-Mariner.