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The Parramatta Eels will begin the new era under coach Brad Arthur as they take on a New Zealand Warriors outfit whose pre-season form has Kiwi fans salivating. Join us for live scores and commentary from 6.30pm AEDT.
These two sides last clashed in the opening round of 2013, the Eels running out 40-10 victors in what proved something of a false dawn under coach Ricky Stuart.
A lot has changed since that fixture – including Stuart’s mid-season cleanout of the Eels’ 2013 roster – meaning it’s very much a new-look Parramatta side that takes the field this evening.
Key signings Will Hopoate, Corey Norman and Nathan Peats will make their first appearance in Eels colours, while we’ll also see the debut of a couple of youngsters in Manu Ma’u and Kenny Edwards in the second row.
In a significant move, coach Arthur has named Luke Kelly at halfback ahead of Chris Sandow, whom many were expecting to get first crack at the No.7 jersey.
Jarryd Hayne, meanwhile, will look to carry his stellar World Cup form into the new season; Eels fans will be hoping he can have as much impact at fullback as he did at centre for the Kangaroos.
For the Warriors, all eyes will be on the exciting new combination of Shaun Johnson and British import Sam Tomkins, who lit up the Auckland Nines with their silky attacking skills and backed it up with a demolition of the Broncos in the following week’s trial.
The Warriors are always dangerous on their day, and it will be down to these two to perform consistently if the NZers are to prove genuine finals contenders in 2014.
While this round has already shown the NRL is as unpredictable as ever, it’s tough to go past the Warriors here given their promising pre-season form. I’m tipping them to win by 12.
Can the Eels start the Brad Arthur era with a victory, or will the exciting Warriors kick off 2014 in style?
Join us for live scores and commentary from 6:30pm AEDT, and be sure to let us know your thoughts if you’re following along at home.
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