The first NRL Round 1 match today is between Parramatta Eels and New Zealand Warriors. The game is set to commence at 5:30pm local time with the match to be played at Parramatta Stadium. The current favourite for the match are the Parramatta Eels in an open market. View our game preview including odds and teams.
Parramatta Eels $1.85 vs New Zealand Warriors $1.98 at Sportsbet Australia
Parramatta Eels $1.80 vs New Zealand Warriors $2.05 at Luxbet Australia
Preview:
Two clubs that have endured both dizzying highs and crushing lows in recent years head into 2013 with new coaches and hopes of turning around their flagging fortunes.
For Parramatta, this is very much the start of a new era following the failed Stephen Kearney experiment of 2011 and 2012. While the retirements of club greats Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt were always going to be felt at a club they have represented with pride for well over a decade, the arrival of highly respected coach Ricky Stuart and his own brand new coaching staff has the Eels well prepared for the fresh start they desperately need.
Parramatta hasn’t been overly active in the player market, with Manly duo Darcy Lussick and Daniel Harrison the most notable arrivals, but there is no doubt that Stuart is their biggest signing of 2013. A premiership-winning coach with the Roosters in 2002, the former Australian Test halfback is renowned for being ruthless in his pursuit of excellence. And the fact that every side he has coached has been strong defensively should be music to the ears of the Parramatta faithful given their aversion to tacking over the past two years.
That said, he isn’t a miracle worker and although he will expect significant improvement this season it remains to be seen just how far he can take them in phase one of his long-term mission – even if he can get star fullback Jarryd Hayne fit and firing again.
Their opponents this week face their own set of challenges this season and if their new coach, Matt Elliott, has one task in 2013 it is to figure out how it all went so horribly wrong for the side last year.
While Parramatta is rebuilding, the Warriors already have the bones of a premiership-winning squad to work with. We all know that’s the case because they were in a grand final barely 18 months ago! And although they’ve lost the likes of James Maloney (Roosters), Micheal Luck (retired) and Krisnan Inu (Bulldogs), the Warriors still boast 11 players from the side that contested the 2011 NRL decider.
The big news for the Warriors this week is that halfback Shaun Johnson, originally expected to miss the first few rounds with an arm injury, has been cleared to take his place alongside new halves partner Thomas Leuluai, while premiership-winning duo from Melbourne, Dane Nielsen and Todd Lowrie, will make their premiership debuts for their new club. Hooker Nathan Friend’s shoulder injury has seen Elliott spring a surprise, with Elijah Taylor named in the No.9 jersey.
There are few surprises at Parramatta with Luke Kelly winning the No.6 ahead of Ben Roberts – who will come off the bench – and impressive young centre Jacob Loko named in the centres after missing 18 months with a knee injury. Recruit Darcy Lussick has earned a starting spot in the front row alongside Tim Mannah, with Fuifui Moimoi on the bench.
Teams:
PARRAMATTA EELS:
Jarryd Hayne, Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Jacob Loko, Cheyse Blair, Luke Kelly, Chris Sandow, Darcy Lussick, Matt Keating, Tim Mannah, Reni Maitua, Ben Smith, Joseph Paulo
Interchange: Ben Roberts, Fuifui Moimoi, Mitchell Allgood, Matt Ryan
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS:
Kevin Locke, Glen Fisiiahi, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Elijah Taylor, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (C), Todd Lowrie Interchange: Ben Henry, Jacob Lillyman, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Pita Godinet, Steve Rapira, Charlie Gubb (two to be omitted)
Preview from NRL.com
