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[VIDEO] New Zealand Warriors vs Parramatta Eels highlights: NRL scores, blog

21st March, 2015
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 2:45pm (AEDT)
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Betting: Warriors $1.38, Eels $3.15

Warriors
1 Sam Tomkins, 2 Jonathan Wright, 3 Tuimoala Lolohea, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Manu Vatuvei , 6 Chad Townsend, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Jacob Lillyman, 9 Thomas Leuluai, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Bodene Thompson, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Simon Mannering (c)
Interchange
14 Nathan Friend, 15 Ben Henry, 16 Sam Lisone, 17 Albert Vete, 18 Matthew Allwood

Eels
1 Will Hopoate, 2 Vai Toutai, 3 Ryan Morgan, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 Reece Robinson, 6 Corey Norman,7 Chris Sandow, 8 Darcy Lussick, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Tim Mannah (c), 11 Manu Ma'u, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Anthony Watmough
Interchange
14 Isaac De Gois, 15 Joseph Paulo,16 Danny Wicks, 17 David Gower
William Hopoate has decided he won't play NRL on Sundays due to religious reasons. Is that OK? (Digital Image by Grant Trouville © nrlphotos.com)
Expert
21st March, 2015
118
10006 Reads

A monster day of Round 3 action in the NRL kicks off when the New Zealand Warriors take on the Parramatta Eels at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. Join The Roar from 2:45pm (AEDT) for live coverage.

After starting their season flying against the Manly Sea Eagles, the Eels suffered a bad loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs.

We all know how strong the Warriors are when they play at home and they will be desperate for a victory after a bad loss at the hands of the Newcastle Knights before an unconvincing win last week in Canberra to start their season.

The Warriors have named a completely unchanged line-up from their victory in Canberra last Sunday. Interestingly, Nathan Friend and Ben Henry are still be on the bench, as coach Andrew McFadden continues to go with Thomas Leuluai at hooker and Bodene Thompson in the second row.

The Eels have been forced into making some changes after their crushing loss at the hands of the Bulldogs. Vai Toutai and Ryan Morgan come into the side after the double injury blow on the one side of the field to Beau Champion and Semi Radradra. If the Eels are to fly out of New Zealand with two competition points, Brad Takairangi and Reece Robinson – on the other side of the field – must stand up, particularly in defence with boom youngster Solomone Kata and Manu Vatuvei charging at them.

There is also talk that Tepai Moeroa (shoulder) and Anthony Watmough (leg gash) will miss the game, however after being named and having played on Friday night you would think they will be alright to make the trip across the Tasman.

One key match-up is the battle of the fullbacks. For the Warriors English international Sam Tomkins is in the number 1 jersey, while the Eels have the relatively inexperienced fullback Will Hopoate. Both are ridiculously talented and will play a massive part in their teams’ attack.

The other key positional battle on the field is golden boot Shaun Johnson versus Chris Sandow. The two number 7s will both be looking for a huge game, and both have the ability to change the game in a matter of minutes.

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The other major factor is New Zealand’s home ground advantage. They win a lot at home and will be looking for nothing to change on that front in 2015.

Prediction
The injuries that the Eels have suffered could prove too much to overcome, particularly in defence. Warriors by 12.

Join The Roar for live coverage from 2:45pm (AEDT) and be sure to leave your thoughts below throughout the game.

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