Sea Eagles v Eels: Tolu takes over from Turbo; Tuilagi, Russell return
Here we go again, Manly and Parra.
Two arch-rivals whose legendary players starred in the iconic Tooheys TV commercial back in 1984 are back at it again in a Sunday afternoon showstopper at 4 Pines Park.
The Sea Eagles have climbed to sixth on the back of three straight wins since Kieran Foran took the reins while the Eels are buzzing after one of their best wins in years over the Bulldogs last Sunday.
Battling a huge injury toll and coming off a humiliating loss to the Titans, the blue and golds dug deep to produce a memorable 38-20 victory in front of the club's 1986 premiership heroes.
Expect Mitch Moses to again be the man for the Eels as he matches wits with Jamal Fogarty in an intriguing battle of the playmakers.
Fogarty has settled in nicely in his new surroundings at Brookie and his combination with Luke Brooks has clicked in the past three weeks to unlock Tolu Koula, Haumole Olakau'atu and Reuben Garrick.
Match: Sea Eagles v Eels
Round 8 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
away Team
Eels
14th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sea Eagles: Tolu Koula slides straight into the No.1 jumper in place of injured skipper Tom Trbojevic (hamstring). Clayton Faulalo comes into the centres as a result, after filling in off the interchange last week. Emerging centre Josh Feledy is the new face on the six-man bench, while young prop Simione Laiafi also comes on to the interchange in place of Jackson Shereb. Manly are otherwise settled as they look to continue an unbeaten start to Kieran Foran’s coaching career.
Eels: Centre Sean Russell and back-rower Kelma Tuilagi are both named to return from concussion in a double boost for the Eels. Araz Nanva and Teancum Brown are the men to make way from the squad.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tolutau KoulaFullback for Eels is number 1 Joash Papalii
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Eels is number 2 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Clayton FaulaloCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald Volkman
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Eels is number 8 Luca Moretti
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Brandon WakehamHooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe HetheringtonProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Eels is number 13 Dylan Walker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey WaddellInterchange for Eels is number 15 Saxon Pryke
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Eels is number 16 Toni Mataele
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Siosiua TaukeiahoInterchange for Eels is number 17 Jack De Belin
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Simione LaiafiInterchange for Eels is number 18 Kelma Tuilagi
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Josh FeledyInterchange for Eels is number 19 Lorenzo Talataina
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Nathan BrownReserve for Eels is number 20 Araz Nanva
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Joey WalshReserve for Eels is number 21 Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Jackson SherebReserve for Eels is number 22 Teancum Brown
Sea Eagles Ins
- Joey Walsh
- Josh Feledy
- Nathan Brown
- Simione Laiafi
Eels Ins
- Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
- Kelma Tuilagi
- Sean Russell
Sea Eagles Outs
- Tom Trbojevic
Eels Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won six of their last seven games against the Eels at 4 Pines Park.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored four tries in his last five games.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored 13 tries in 14 games against the Eels.
- The Eels have conceded an average of 35 points per game in 2026.
- Sea Eagles lock Jake Trbojevic will make his 100th appearance at 4 Pines Park.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
