Eels v Warriors: Arthur gets a recall; COVID, sickness hits Warriors
Parramatta play host to the Warriors at CommBank Stadium on Friday night with the home side looking to get back into the top four by finding some consistency.
The Eels got back on track with a sound 28-20 victory over the Wests Tigers last week but their final 15 minutes of the match proved they're still not quite at the ruthless premiership-winning level they were when they started the season.
Parramatta have gone W-L-W-L-W in their past five matches with their clash against the Warriors a chance to break the unwanted trend.
The Warriors broke a seven-game losing streak with victory over the Wests Tigers in round 16 before enjoying a bye round.
Despite their finals chances looking slim, after the appointment of Andrew Webster for 2023, many players will be looking to finish the season strong and impress the new coach.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Eels v Warriors
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: There were no late changes to Brad Arthur's side, with skipper Junior Paulo set to back up just 48 hours after his Origin III performance. Marata Niukore shifts back to lock, Makahesi Makatao to the bench and Nathan Brown to the reserves. Ryan Matterson (ribs) remains sidelined after missing the win over the Tigers. Jake Arthur has been added to the bench for his first game since Round 8 and Elie El-Zakhem is 18th Man.
Warriors: Aaron Pene will start at prop, with Addin Fonua-Blake dropping back to the bench in the only late change after a disrupted week for the Warriors, Interim head coach Stacey Jones is yet to test negative after contracting COVID and looks unlikely to join the squad, with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak already ruled out after testing positive. The non-COVID virus which led to Ronald Volkman being left out of the squad has hit Jazz Tevaga too, but the forward remains likely to play. While he continues to feel the lingering impacts of COVID, departing fullback Reece Walsh is set to play against the Eels.
Edward Kosi, who has scored seven tries in his past five games for Redcliffe in the Hostplus Cup, gets a shot on the wing in place of Watene-Zelezniak, while Chanel Harris-Tavita replaces Volkman at five-eighth. Jack Murchie joins the bench with Bayley Sironen suffering a fractured eye socket.
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 18 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Warriors is number 2 Marcelo Montoya
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Warriors is number 3 Jesse Arthars
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Warriors is number 10 Tohu Harris
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Warriors is number 16 Aaron Pene
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Josh Curran
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Marata NiukoreLock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jake ArthurInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ky RodwellInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Jack Murchie
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 19 Elie El-ZakhemReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Eliesa Katoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Reagan Campbell-Gillard v Jazz Tevaga: A mismatch with size on paper but both fiery customers on the footy field who can give as much as they can take. RCG was a target of the Tigers last start but came out on top in the end with a crucial try and 100 metres. Tevaga, who is playing up front to fill the void left by Matt Lodge, ran for 143 metres in 44 minutes in round 17 and won't back down from a challenge.
Stat Attack
Both sides come into the match as the kings of the charge down with 12 between the clubs to start the year, so expect to see at least one on Friday night. Warriors forward Josh Curran and Eels hooker Reed Mahoney are equal in the competition with three each.
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 18 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Warriors
12th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
