The Dyldam Parramatta Eels will look to make it three back-to-back wins when they take on the Wests Tigers in Monday night football at ANZ Stadium in Round 17.
The Blue and Gold were tenacious in their past two wins over the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park and the St George Illawarra Dragons at home at Pirtek Stadium, and as they did in Round 14 in Melbourne, will come into this round missing centre Will Hopoate as he prepares for the upcoming State of Origin clash with the NSW Blues.
For the Wests Tigers, skipper Robbie Farah is recovering from hand surgery in Coffs Harbour with the NSW squad, joined in camp by prop Aaron Woods.
The representative call-ups compound the Wests Tigers injury concerns, with injured centre Tim Simona replaced by Nathan Milone in just his second NRL match.
In the Eels camp, second-rower Manu Ma’u returns from a two-week suspension, while Head Coach Brad Arthur has brought winger Bureta Faraimo back into the side to cover for Hopoate’s absence.
Dene Halatau steps into the number nine jersey for the Wests Tigers, and Cody Nelson has been named again at hooker for the Eels following an impressive defensive performance in his first outing for the Eels in Round 16.
The Eels and Wests Tigers clashed earlier this year on Easter Monday at ANZ Stadium, with the Wests Tigers putting in a powerful final ten minutes on the day to take the scoreline from a narrow 6-4 Eels lead, to a comprehensive 22-4 Wests Tigers victory.
Kick off is at 7pm.
Match Details: Westa Tigers v Dyldam Parramatta Eels, ANZ Stadium. Monday July 6, 7pm kick off.
Televised: Fox Sports – LIVE from 7pm AEDT
The History: Played 30; Wests Tigers 13, Eels 16, Drawn 1. The Blue and Gold has lost the last two matches against the West Tigers at ANZ Stadium.
Eels Squad:
1. Corey Norman 2. Semi Radradra 3. Ryan Morgan 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Bureta Faraimo 6. Luke Kelly 7. Chris Sandow 8. Junior Paulo 9. Cody Nelson 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Anthony Watmough
Interchange: 14. Pauli Pauli 15. Darcy Lussick 16. Danny Wicks 17. David Gower 18. Joseph Paulo
Wests Tigers Squad:
1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. Delouise Hoeter 4. Nathan Milone 5. Pat Richards 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Sauaso Sue 9. Dene Halatau 10. Keith Galloway 11. Kyle Lovett 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Martin Taupau
Interchange: 14. Manaia Cherrington 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Brenden Santi 18. Jack Buchanan
Match Officials: Referees: Gavin Badger & Alan Shortall, Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Chris Butler, Video Referees: Steve Clark and Luke Phillips.
