The Parramatta Eels take on the Penrith Panthers on Saturday 22 April at ANZ Stadium for Round Eight of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur has been forced to make one change to his line up that came away with a 26-22 victory over the Wests Tigers in Round Seven, with Peni Terepo ruled out through injury.
Kenny Edwards, who returns from suspension, has been named on an extended bench alongside Beau Scott, Daniel Alvaro, Siosaia Vave, David Gower, Will Smith, George Jennings and Marata Niukore.
The clash will be Edwards’ first game in 2017.
For the Penrtih Panthers, Head Coach Anthony Griffin has named an unchanged line up from his side that was defeated last week.
Matt Moylan will captain the side from fullback with Peta Hiku, Leilani Latu, Tim Browne, Moses Leota, Corey Harawira-Naera, Sitaleki Akauola, Viliame Kikau and Bryce Cartwright on an extended bench.
The Eels snapped a four game losing streak, coming from 22-10 down to defeat the Wests Tigers in Round Seven. For the Panthers, they enter the clash off the back of three defeats including their 28-2 defeat to the Cronulla-Sharks last week.
Historically, the Eels have a strong advantage over the men from the foot of the mountains, however as of late, the Panthers have a stronger recording winning six of the past ten clashes. In the last time the two sides met, Round 16, 2016, the Panthers came from behind to secure a late 22-18 victory.
The Parramatta Eels will commemorate ANZAC Day with a special ceremony against the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium in Round Eight. We will unite during this game to honour the sacrifice of the ANZACs, and past and present servicemen and women with a Salute to Service.
Kick off is at 3pm.
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Match Details: Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 22 April for Round Eight of the NRL Telstra Premiership. Kick off at 3pm.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live coverage from 3pm.
The History: Played 93; Eels 55; Panthers 37; Drawn 1. Penrith have a slight edge of late, winning six of the past 10 meetings including the past two. These teams have only met once at ANZ and that was back in 2001 but Penrith's recent record there against other sides is poor, with just two wins from their past 12 visits including four straight losses, while the Eels have four wins from their past six at the venue.
In the last time these two sides clashed, Round 19, 2016, the Panthers had a come from behind 22-18 victory at Pepper Stadium.
Parramatta Eels squad: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Kirisome Auva’a 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Brad Takairangi 7. Corey Norman 8. Suaia Matagi 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tim Mannah (c) 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown
Interchange: 14. Beau Scott (c) 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Kenny Edwards 17. Siosaia Vave 18. David Gower 19. Will Smith 20. George Jennings 21. Marata Niukore
Penrith Panthers squad: 1. Matt Moylan (c) 2. Waqa Blake 3. Dean Whare 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Dallin Wateve-Zelezniak 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. James Fisher-Harris 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Peta Hiku 15. Lelani Latu 16. Tim Brown 17. Moses Leota 18. Corey Harawire-Naera 19. Sitaleki Akauola 20. Viliame Kikau 21. Bryce Cartwright
Match officials: Referee: Gavin Badger; Assistant Referee: Jon Stone; Touch judges: Nick Beashel and Belinda Sleeman; Review Official: Bryan Norrie; Senior RO: Bernard Sutton.
