You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

Wests Tigers will be looking to bounce back from a last start defeat when they take on the Parramatta Eels this Sunday at ANZ Stadium for their Round 20 clash.

It was a tough afternoon for Ivan Cleary’s side last week against the Sea Eagles — leading their highly fancied opponents 16-8 at Lottoland midway through the second half — before collapsing to record a 28-16 defeat. Despite the result, Cleary’s side will certainly take plenty of confidence out of the match, having seemingly turned a corner in their performances over the last six weeks to be in the contest every single weekend.

While that turn in form might have only led to the one win over Newcastle in Round 17, there’s no denying the improvements across the board from Wests Tigers, who were made to do it tough against the Sea Eagles with just 15 men for the entire second half.

They’ll go in to Sunday’s contest against the Eels without star young hooker Jacob Liddle (shoulder), but will welcome back Tim Grant from a hamstring injury in an important boost.

Josh Aloiai could also be in line for an early return from his knee injury after being included amongst the reserves list in jersey 21, while rookie forwards Matt Eisenhuth and Alex Twal are rewarded for their good form with spots on the bench.

Wests Tigers might be out of finals contention for 2017, but they’ll be determined to finish the year on a positive note — starting this Sunday against the Eels.

When they met back in Round 7 in what was just Cleary’s second week as Coach, it was a familiar tale for Wests Tigers, who saw their second half lead run down by the Eels 26-22.

Parramatta have since continued their good form to sit entrenched inside the top eight, and with a favourable schedule over the final few weeks, will certainly have their eyes focused on a finals berth for the first time since 2011. Sitting four points clear of the Panthers in ninth spot and fresh off the bye last weekend, Brad Arthur’s side are certainly in the box position but can ill-afford to drop points to teams outside the top eight — such as this week — if they want to still be there when September rolls around.

The Eels will welcome back Kiwi enforcer Manu Ma’u for the contest in the only change, with Cameron King once again slotting in at hooker with Kaysa Pritchard injured.

Be there at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, July 23 when we take on the Parramatta Eels!

MATCH DETAILS

Date — Sunday, July 23, 2017

Time — 4:00pm AEST

Venue — ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

 

TV, LIVE STREAM AND RADIO INFORMATION

TV — Live via Channel 9 and Fox League (Ch.502)

Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 873 2GB, FM 104.9 Triple M Sydney

Live Stream — Live via Foxtel Go, NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referees — Adam Gee and Chris Sutton

Touch Judges — Rohan Best and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski

Video Referees — Luke Patten and Bernard Sutton

 

LATEST CROWNBET ODDS

Head-to-Head — Wests Tigers ($3.25), Parramatta ($1.36)

Line — Wests Tigers +8.0 ($1.92), Parramatta -8.0 ($1.92)

Latest odds via CrownBet.com.au (18+ only, gamble responsibly)

Odds correct as of Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 12:00pm

 

LATEST TEAM NEWS

Wests Tigers

Matt McIlwrick replaces the injured Jacob Liddle hooker, with McIlwrick likely in line for big minutes with no second hooker on the bench. After coming off the bench last week, Chris Lawrence returns to the second row in place of the suspended Sauaso Sue, while Joel Edwards has also been named to start despite picking up a concussion last weekend. Michael Chee Kam and Tim Grant return to the interchange bench, while Josh Aloiai could return from injury after being included amongst the reserves in jersey 21.
 

Parramatta Eels

Manu Ma’u returns to the starting side in the only change for the Eels, with Kenny Edwards dropping back to the bench and David Gower on to the reserves. Listed amongs the reserves, Peni Terepo and Kirisome Auva’a have both been named to make their return from injury for Wentworthville on Sunday, along fellow reserve John Folau.
 

Team Lists Update

4:00pm, Tuesday — 21-man squads announced — Click here

4:00pm, Saturday — 19-man squads announced

3:00pm, Sunday — Final 17-man team lists announced

 

RECENT RESULTS

Wests Tigers

Round 15 — Cronulla Sharks 24 def. Wests Tigers 22

Round 16 — Gold Coast Titans 26 def. Cronulla Sharks 14

Round 17 — Wests Tigers 33 def. Newcastle Knights 12

Round 18 — BYE

Round 19 — Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 28 def. Wests Tigers 16
 

Parramatta Eels

Round 15 — Parramatta Eels 24 def. St. George-Illawarra Dragons 10

Round 16 — BYE

Round 17 — Parramatta Eels 13 def. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 12

Round 18 — Parramatta Eels 22 def. Melbourne Storm 6

Round 19 — BYE

 

THE HISTORY

·       Head-to-Head — Played 34, Won 14, Lost 19, Drawn 1

·       At ANZ Stadium — Played 11, Won 3, Lost 8, Drawn 0

·       Last Time They Met — Parramatta Eels 26 def. Wests Tigers 22 (Rd.7, 2017)

 

TEAM MATCHUP

 

Wests Tigers

Parramatta Eels

Position

15th (12 points)

7th (24 points)

Home Form

Won 1, Lost 7

Won 5, Lost 3

Away Form

Won 3, Lost 6

Won 5, Lost 4

Points Scored

267 points (15th)

317 points (13th)

Points Conceded

436 points (15th)

336 points (9th)

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Wests Tigers respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Major Partner

Corporate Partners

View All Partners