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.
daniel politi
Guest
parra pure superb we should make up for the previous 2 seasons we have the team to make a stamp on the NRL with all the new recruits from superleague and they look like there quality players and the eels have lee massop usually one of the leading forwards in there comp im looking forward when he comes back from injury.
SAVAGE
Guest
Game 1, and the rollercoaster that is the Warriors starts again.
Buzzard
Guest
The Warriors centres are woeful. Neilson has no pace and can't set his winger up. Tuimavave is slow a misses too many tackles. Here's my Warriors back line: 1. Fish 2. Laumape/Fusitua 3. Ropati 4. Hurrell 5. Vatuvei 6. Tomkins 7. Johnson
Scrubbit
Guest
And I just had an argument with someone today about whether or not there was such thing as an 8 point penalty try. Talk about coincidence. Won't see another until 2016
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Well done parra. Brad has done well. Manu mau was great. Powerful runs. But the warriors were really bad. Townsend is no good. Also the refs were terrible again. If they can stay injury free they might come 2nd last. Tigers vs parra for the spoon again
Muzz
Guest
I know mate. The banter is part and parcel.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
They don't have a chance of going back-to-back? :P It's all good Muzz. Just some niggling.
Muzz
Guest
Stop it : )
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Roosters to be 0 and 2 next week :P
Muzz
Guest
I was impressed with the way they played.They managed to contain the Warriors by controlling the tempo of the game very well.They kept their shape.Line speed and play the ball was good.Played some simple structures but maintained them throughout the game.They chanced their hand a little early in the tackle count in the first half and coughed up possession but managed to rectify that in the second half.All in all they have a good foundation to build on. My team the Roosters cannot take them lightly next week
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Not bad considering they've finished last the past two seasons. Don't know if anyone else heard but Parramatta Stadium is getting an upgrade of 4,000 seats. It was confirmed the other day.
Muzz
Guest
Something like that.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Woeful all right not as bad as the refs who went to the video nine times and Warriors were lucky to get that 8 point try, that high shot was an accident.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
So 15,000 but sold out? ;)
Digby
Roar Guru
Sure, i can work with that ;)
Adam
Roar Guru
No worries John, cheers for joining in too.
Muzz
Guest
Well done Eels. That looked like a full house by WSW standards : )
John
Guest
26 missed tackles by warriors. PATHETIC. Well done eels awesome effort. Thanks for the call Adam.
Adam
Roar Guru
Cheers Diggercane, thanks for joining in!
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Haha! So Eels will be in for a much worse season and Warriors much better? :P