The Wests Tigers will be looking to build some much needed momentum when they face the struggling Parramatta Eels today. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEST.
Parramatta and the Tigers are currently on the wrong end of the NRL ladder, with both teams severely struggling to post wins together.
The Eels have lost two straight matches after earlier beating reigning premiers the Manly Sea Eagles barely a month ago.
Parramatta’s most recent defeat saw them lose 24-18 to a Sharks outfit currently on a five match winning streak.
Despite going toe to toe with an inform side for the majority of the contest, the Eels once again failed to secure the competition points in a match where they had their chances to earn a much needed victory.
The Tigers meanwhile haven’t faired much better form wise, but at least they got their second win on the board just over a week ago when they dispatched a weakened Panthers outfit 30-nil.
Their victory against Penrith could not have come at a better time, given that the Tigers ended a five match losing streak.
After rediscovering some semblance of form, the Tigers will be favoured to string consecutive wins together against an Eels side low on confidence.
Prediction
Where does one begin to analyse Parramatta’s woes? The Eels are struggling in all facets of the game and haven’t displayed the attitude necessary to compete in NRL matches, let alone win one.
Key recruits Chris Sandow and Willie Tonga have failed to spark the Eels attack as they play behind a forward pack that has struggled to lay the platform necessary for their strike players to shine.
Sandow in particular is having a shocking season and has been demoted to NSW cup this week in a bid to rediscover some much needed confidence.
If there was one piece of good news to come out of the loss to Cronulla however, it was the performance of fullback Jarryd Hayne.
In a losing outfit, Hayne was superb as he scored two tries whilst also setting up another four-pointer for winger Cheyse Blair in the first half.
Despite his struggles with injury this season, Hayne remains Parramatta’s best hope of securing victory against the Tigers today.
With a NSW Origin jersey up for grabs, it wouldn’t surprise to see Hayne perform strongly for the Eels this afternoon.
If Hayne has an off day however, the chances of the Eels beating the Tigers appear slim, particularly if Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Chris Lawrence play their best footy.
If the preceding Tigers players can pick up from where they left off against the Panthers, then the 2005 premiers should notch a vital win that may just spark their season to life.
Tigers by 8.
maximus
Guest
Another TV finish. Reddy loses ball in 2 man tackle and Eels score. Marshall throws an alleged forward pass to Murdoch marsila at Wests 40m , change of possession and Eels score - if that was a forward pass there were 100 in the game and hayne scores a try after stepping around 3 Eels players in the road of Tigers players to score - Marshall complains but they are well in front. Must have been the TV game...
Eamon
Guest
Thanks Steven for dropping Sando if not we might have lost.
Jimbo jones
Guest
Any reason why the Tigers had Murdoch-Masila? Was defending on the wing instead of the usual structure? Was there an injury to a winger/centre? (Tuquiri was defending at centre)
Alan
Roar Guru
Don't let the scoreline fool you. The Tigers had this contest won as they raced away to a 31 nil lead. With the points in the bag, they fell off terribly in defence and the Eels managed to finish with a flourish as they posted 30 unanswered points to avoid a very heavy defeat. In the end they lost by just the solitary field goal to Marshall. However, as good as Parramatta were in the last ten minutes here, they were awful for seventy minutes against a Tigers side that simply strolled its way to victory before the Eels onslaught late on. The Eels however have shown plenty of character today and it will serve them well ahead of next week's clash against the Bulldogs. Tigers coach Tim Sheens however will be furious even though the Tigers have secured the win. They took their foot off the pedal and paid dearly on the scoreboard. Thanks for joining us for this live blog and we look forward to your company for Monday night football on The Roar. FULLTIME: Eels 30 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Burt converts and its 30-31 Tigers FULLTIME: Eels 30 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY EELS - Blair scores right on fulltime and the Eels will only lose by one points here. Great try by the Eels as they spread it left and Blair races away to score. Eels 28 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - And all of a sudden its a seven point game here after the Tigers led by 31 points. Tigers will still win however. Eels 24 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY EELS and CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Hayne scores and the Eels are on fire now. They are building nicely for next week. Eels 24 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Sio makes a break and finds Keating on the inside and the Eels are right on the attack again. Eels 18 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Burt converts and its 18-31 Tigers. Scoreline looks better for the Eels now and the Tigers have fallen away in the last ten minutes. Eels 18 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY EELS - Sio scores in the corner after latching on to a great long pass from McGuire. Eels finishing with a flourish here but why do they perform now with the game dead? Eels 16 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Marshall throws a forward pass and the Eels will go on the attack yet again. Tigers are putting themselves under unnecessary pressure here. Eels 12 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY EELS - Sio drops the football and the Tigers get the 20 metre tap. Tigers have fallen off in defence here and Tim Sheens will not be happy with their attitude late on. Eels however have arrived seventy minutes late. Eels 12 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
VIDEO REFEREE - Sio may have pounced on a Keating grubber and scored in the corner here. Checking for grounding. Eels 12 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Eels now work it out of their own half and they now look at their most energetic with the game seemingly lost. Where was this attitude earlier on? Eels now in Tigers territory and they get six again as Tuqiri fails to regather an Eels play the ball. Eels 12 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Burt converts and its 12-31 Tigers. Hayne and Tonga finally combine and it looked for the Eels in attack. Eels 12 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY EELS - Tonga scores for the Eels and its back to back tries for Parramatta. Too little too late though unless they get another very quickly. Eels 10 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Shocking pass from Roberts and Reddy regathers the football for the Tigers. Tigers however lose possession and the Eels get another chance to score. Eels 6 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Parramatta now work it out of their own half and they make easy yardage here and they now get the penalty. Chance for the Eels to post back to back tries here. Eels 6 Tigers 31
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Burt converts and its 6-31 Tigers. Game was over a long time ago though for the Eels. Eels 6 Tigers 31