Match Preview: NRL Round 5 vs. Eels

Wests Tigers will look to bounce back from back-to-back defeats when they take on the Parramatta Eels in Round 5 for their Easter Monday clash at ANZ Stadium.

Jason Taylor’s side suffered a devastating 25-24 defeat in Golden Point to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs last week — perhaps made even more heartbreaking given the fact they led 24-6 in the final 20 minutes of the match before the Bulldogs ran in 19 unanswered points.

With only a four day turnaround into that match, they’ll no doubt benefit from the 10 day break heading into this week’s match, and will certainly be keen to deliver a full 80-minute performance in front of what is shaping up to be another blockbuster crowd at ANZ Stadium.

Their opponents will no doubt be full of confidence, having knocked off the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Pirtek Stadium last week 29-16. Halfback Chris Sandow was again instrumental in the win, and the battle between him and young gun Luke Brooks looms as the key factor for both teams’ chances of winning this Easter Monday.

Last year, it was Brooks who proved the difference, kicking a field goal in the final minutes of the match to snatch victory, with Sandow missing a crucial conversion moments before.

That win was the only time Wests Tigers have defeated the Eels in a home game at ANZ Stadium, and one of their last victories at ANZ too, having won just one of their six matches at the former Olympic venue since that Easter Monday match.

It’s shaping as another blockbuster Easter Monday clash this weekend, and one that will no doubt give one team plenty of confidence for the year ahead.

Who will that team be? Read on for a full match preview including all the latest team news, match analysis, statistics, viewing information and much more!

Become a Member and get entry to our Easter Monday game PLUS four more games at ANZ Stadium this year for just $65!

Match Details

Date — Monday, April 6, 2015

Time — 3:00pm (Gates Open at 12:40pm)

Venue — ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

TV, Live Stream and Radio Information

TV —Fox Sports 1 (Ch. 501), check local guides

Radio — Triple M Sydney 104.9FM, check local guides

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

Tickets and Membership

For as little as $65, you can catch five games at ANZ Stadium this year including some of the biggest Wests Tigers matches against the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Roosters and more!

Click here to secure your seat to Monday’s clash and many more with a membership.

Confirmed Squads

Aaron Woods and Dene Halatau are named to return from injury while Pat Richards also returns from suspension. After another impressive performance last week, Kyle Lovett gets a starting spot in the back-row, while Sauaso Sue moves to the interchange bench, and Brenden Santi moves to 18th man. For the Eels, Bureta Faraimo comes on to the wing due to injuries, with John Folau moving into the centres. Tepai Moeroa returns from injury too, which pushes David Gower to the bench and Peni Terepo to 18th man.

2015 Recent Results

Wests Tigers

R1 — Wests Tigers 19 def. Gold Coast Titans 18

R2 — Wests Tigers 22 def. St. George-Illawarra Dragons 4

R3 — South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 def. Wests Tigers 6

R4 — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 25 def. Wests Tigers 24

Parramatta Eels

R1 — Parramatta Eels 42 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12

R2 — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32 def. Parramatta Eels 12

R3 — New Zealand Warriors 29 def. Parramatta Eels 16

R4 — Parramatta Eels 29 def. South Sydney Rabbitohs 16

Match History

·       Against the Eels — Played 29, Won 12, Lost 16, Drawn 1

·       At ANZ Stadium — Played 6, Won 5, Lost 1

Three Key Facts

·       Parramatta Eels are one of just five teams not to lose a home game so far in 2015. The last time they lost a home game was in Rd.23, 2014 (vs. Bulldogs).

·       Wests Tigers have won seven of their last nine games against Parramatta.

·       Wests Tigers haven’t won at ANZ Stadium since Rd.19, 2014 (vs. Bulldogs).

2015 Key Player Stats