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The Wests Tigers have overcome the toughest early-season draw in the competition to be in the NRL’s top four after the first month – something they haven’t accomplished since April 2014.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Wests Tigers 30
Parramatta Eels 20
In what is fast becoming a traditional Easter Monday clash, the Parramatta Eels will take on the defensively strong Wests Tigers. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4pm (AEST).
For a team who were supposed to be among the competition’s premiership contenders, the Eels have been woeful.
They have lost three straight to start the season, and it’s gradually gone from bad to worse for the blue and gold, who have scored just one try in their last 160 minutes of football, which included a 54-0 thumping at the hands of the Sea Eagles in Round 1.
While that was bad, squandering a lead against Penrith and being beaten by an equally poor Cronulla Sharks outfit last week isn’t much better and Brad Arthur has a lot of work to do.
Now, without Jarryd Hayne, they have made a slew of changes. Will Smith takes over at fullback, with Bevan French and Clint Gutherson still out, and his role is key if the Eels are to succeed.
On paper, they are strong enough to turn things around and may have no better opportunity than this week against a Tigers outfit who lost to the Broncos in golden point last week.
They beat the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters on the back of their defence to sit at the right end of the ladder after three rounds, but the attack for Ivan Cleary’s side still leaves a lot to be desired.
Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall have started the season strongly, but there is a chance the latter may be out this week with an ankle injury. Given the amount of control Marshall has had over the side, it would be a killer blow if he was out.
Despite that, it’s not the halves winning them games. The forwards have been superb and held their own against two premiership contending packs to start the season.
Part of you still expects the Tigers to come crashing back down to Earth. They were expected to be at the bottom of the ladder, but are currently riding a wave and will be a huge challenge for Parra.
Prediction
The Eels have to bounce back at some point – the law of averages says they must – and the Tigers’ attack hasn’t been good enough, despite their strong defence.
It’ll be low-scoring, but the blue and gold will finally get on the board.
Eels by 2.
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