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) |