Eels v Wests Tigers: Papalii steps in; Bunty added to bench
The Eels will take part in another battle against their rivals from the west, this time taking on Wests Tigers in a special Easter Monday clash.
Last week, Parramatta were the 'away' team at CommBank Stadium, going down 48-20 to a red-hot Panthers outfit.
The side were on the back foot early, trailing 18-0 after just 14 minutes, before Josh Addo-Carr - now of of top 10 try-scorers in the NRL - got them on the board. Compounding the loss were long-term injuries to forward Matt Doorey and fullback Isaiah Iongi.
Wests Tigers also had their injuries worries with halfback Jarome Luai sidelined, but that didn't stop them from producing one of the upsets of the round by going over to New Zealand and defeating the Warriors last week.
Jock Madden stepped in and stepped up, pairing well with Adam Doueihi as the visitors stunned the in-form Warriors and silenced their home crowd with their 32-14 win.
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
13th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
3rd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Eels: Joash Papalii is the new fullback with Isaiah Iongi (ankle) sidelined. Charlie Guymer joins the bench to fill the void left by Matt Doorey (ACL). Veteran prop Jack de Belin has been added to the six-man bench along with fullback Apa Twidle, who bagged four tries in NSW Cup last week.
Wests Tigers: Winning form is good form and Benji Marshall sticks with the same 17 that stunned the Warriors in Auckland. Prop Bunty Afoa has been added to the extended bench in place of Tristan Hope, who drops to the reserves.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash PapaliiFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Faaletino Tavana
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Heamasi Makasini
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke Laulilii
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah PezetFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jock Madden
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Jack WilliamsProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Sam TuivaitiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Charlie GuymerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Luca MorettiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Jack De BelinInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Eels is number 19 Apa TwidleInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jeral Skelton
Reserves
-
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Ronald VolkmanReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Tristan Hope
-
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Teancum BrownReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tony Sukkar
-
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Araz NanvaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Patrick Herbert
Eels Ins
- Apa Twidle
- Araz Nanva
- Jack De Belin
- Ronald Volkman
- Teancum Brown
Wests Tigers Ins
- Bunty Afoa
- Patrick Herbert
- Tony Sukkar
Eels Outs
- Isaiah Iongi
- Matt Doorey
Wests Tigers Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won four of their six Easter Monday clashes with the Tigers.
- The Tigers have defeated the Eels in three of their last four games at CommBank Stadium.
- Eels halfback Mitchell Moses requires three points for 500 points at CommBank Stadium.
- Tigers centre Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his last four games against the Eels.
- Eels prop Jack Williams will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
