Wests Tigers
0
Match Complete
Parramatta Eels
0
NRL’s Easter Monday dawns as two struggling sides in Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels face off at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4.05pm AEDT.
Lack of accountability. That is probably the best way to describe everything occurring at Tigerland from top to bottom. From CEO Justin Pascoe being in the team sheds at half time last week while being on his phone, the Tigers making a mockery of their ANZAC jersey and being 0-5 just like in 2022, is there anything going right in Tigerland?
While Tim Sheens does his best to protect his playing group in press conferences, the lack of clarity and desperation is evident in the Tigers team named for this clash. Adam Doueihi slots in at five eighth for Brandon Wakeham, while Charlie Staines moves from the wing to fullback. With a lack of games given for the spine to fire together, the Tigers are shooting themselves in the foot.
While the Eels’ record has not been much better, there is anything but panic stations being hit in Parramatta. The 2021 NRL grand finalists have had a tough draw to begin with, while also being unlucky not to have won a few more matches having competed for most of their season so far.
In team news, Shaun Lane is back from injury, while Haze Dunster and Sean Russell come into the Eels backline for Bailey Simonsson (suspension) and Waqa Blake (dropped) respectively.
Prediction
Both teams are desperate to enter the winning zone. If the Tigers start well, they are in with a shot. But the two key players who were part of the Tigers causing an upset in last year’s Easter Monday clash in Jackson Hastings (left the club) and David Nofoaluma (not in the 22 man squad) are not involved in this year’s clash. Is Api Koroisau enough to lead the Tigers to their first victory in what is going to be a highly emotional clash? My guess is no. Eels by 14.
Game information
Venue – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Kickoff – 4.05pm AEDT
TV – Foxtel
Stream – Kayo Sports
Odds – Tigers $4.20, Eels $1.23 via Playup
Tigers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Shawn Blore 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Daine Laurie
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Jack Murchie 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Waqa Blake
Dean
Roar Rookie
BTW - you did yourself a favour not watching the game. It wasn't good entertainment.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Koroisau was floating out of dummy half which started to pause the defence and improved the effectiveness of the line runners. Lots of effort on the Tigers side but they just didn't have the weapons to punish Parra when they started missing tackles. The Parra left side was bad both ways - very clunky in attack and leaky in defence. Not real sure what is going on with Parra in attack, they are running the same patterns as last year but they are just not executing. I think Hodgson is problematic - Mahoney was so slick with his passing game that it helped the middle line runners, Hodgson not as quick which is hurting run timing and giving the defence a little extra set time. Parra are also giving Hands a lot of time at 9 too - they need to pick and stick until they sort out the attacking structure. Had Moses not been playing, or his kick game had been off, Tigers would have won.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
That is good. They just got to hang on tight
3 R M
Roar Rookie
The marker defence percentage difference stayed the same 30% with 60 to 40 tackles to parra but the possession % changed at half time to favour the tigers . Still didn't watch any of it. But it was 30 to 20 at half time at almost equal possession. I should have taken note of the percentage of the total. In the end the eels made a lot more tackles and the percentage stayed the same. So the tigers played a bit more away from the ruck?
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Seemed to be a fair bit of orange in that crowd.
Tony
Roar Guru
$$$$$
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Well. So starts the eels slow, slow climb up the ladder. Lol
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Crickey. I wonder how many tigers.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
So many stats on tigers side. Just could finish off I guess. It’ll be good if they can work it out
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Understand he has talent, but I would have gone for a bigger bodied, mobile player, for the way they play. Did notice his assist just after I posted.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Thank you all for joining. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. I will be back for a few games in the next round. Till then, take care and goodnight
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
My takeaways from the game Tigers 1. Need to start better. You are not going to win games of rugby league if you continue to start poorly 2. Doueihi and Brooks fire. The halves pairing finally backed themselves and did not play with fear. Rumours of Doueihi doing his ACL which would be a huge shame after the progress made today Eels 1. Lack of winning mentality visible. Having already lost four games, you could see the Eels basically forgot how to win. So many errors and missed tackles. But their first half performance ensured that the lead was enough in the end. 2. Eels missing Mahoney badly. The service Reed Mahoney's replacements have done is nowhere near to the level that they would have wanted 3. Crucial for Eels to build on this win. If the Eels go back to losing ways in round seven, you can start crossing a line in the Eels finals chances
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
A wins a win. It’s early in season. Get into 8 with ugly wins
GB
Roar Rookie
I'd say commiserations to Tigers fans but that doesn't seem to be enough. Congrats Eels fans, mighty, Ben and the rest of the blue and gold army. You dodged a rubber bullet today.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
FULL TIME WST 22 PAR 28 Overall, a poor game. But the Eels do just enough against a spirited Tigers outfit that gave it their all in the second half
Dean
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the call Arnab - coin toss between you and Mitch Moses for man of the match
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Jeez, that was... an ugly win, to say the very least. Commiserations, Tigers fans. You had me very, very worried there.
Relaxed and Comfortable
Roar Rookie
Thanks Arnab! You deserve a chokkie egg.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
80' Penalty as the ref calls held but the Tigers still go for the one on one strip. Clock goes down to 17 seconds. Penisini takes the first tackle. Gutherson takes the second and the whistle blows. EELS WIN WST 22 PAR 28
GB
Roar Rookie
The Tigers have the worst luck. Naden has a probable broken collarbone. Doueihi has a probable torn ACL. And Luke Brooks is fit to play next week.