Eels v Wests Tigers: Church ready to roll; Lutu back on deck
Parramatta host Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium in Round 1 - a valuable opportunity for both clubs to establish themselves in a competition where every win matters across an 11-round regular season.
The Eels have serious strike out wide in the form of Origin stars Rory Owen and Abbi Church and they can cause havoc if the forwards give them a strong platform through the middle.
A new-look Wests Tigers, under the direction of new coach Craig Sandercock, come into Round 1 feeling good after a promising performance in a trial against the Dragons after what was a tough 2025 season.
Experienced leader and Blues gun Kezie Apps remains and the Tigers will need that leadership away from home against an Eels side likely to lean heavily on physicality and field position.
Expect a tough, grinding Sydney derby-style contest rather than a polished attacking exhibition.
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 1 -
home Team
Eels
7th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Cassey Tohi-Hiku and Rachael Pearson will combine in the halves to lead a backline featuring NSW fullback Abbi Church and Maroons centre Rory Owen. PNG star Elsie Albert has been named in a front row featuring emerging prop Boss Kapua and hooker Rueben Cherrington. Kennedy Cherrington will line up at lock, with Queensland and Jillaroos star Keilee Joseph unavailable due to a knee injury. The Eels remained 1-19 in the 24-hour team update with Jasmin Morrissey, Kiana Takairangi and Kyliah Grey omitted.
Wests Tigers: The Craig Sandercock era will begin this weekend at the Tigers, with captain Kezie Apps named in the back row alongside Shaylee Bent and Holli Wheeler at lock. Off-season recruit Raecene McGregor will start at halfback and partner Losana Lutu, who is set for her first NRLW match since Round 4 last year. Caitlin Turnbull will line up at fullback, with Salma Nour at hooker and Rikeya Horne returns at centre after missing the 2025 season due to pregnancy. The Tigers made a change to their starting line-up in the 24-hour squad update, with Namoe Gesa coming into the centres at the expense of Rikeya Horne, who has been ruled out. Portia Bourke was elevated to the interchange. Jetaya Faifua and Lucyanna Luamanu-Leiataua were the other players to make way.
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 1 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi ChurchFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Caitlin Turnbull
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Fleur GinnWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Emily Bass
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Rory OwenCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Shenai Lendill
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Lindsay TuiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 17 Namoe Gesa
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Martha MataeleWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Lily Rogan
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Cassey Tohi-HikuFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Losana Lutu
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Raecene McGregor
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben CherringtonHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma Nour
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Boss KapuaProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Shaniece Monschau
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Chloe Jackson2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shaylee Bent
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Kennedy CherringtonLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Holli Wheeler
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Taneka TodhunterInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Christian Pio
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Tess McWilliamsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara Reinke
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Rosemarie BeckettInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Faythe Manera
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ryvrr-Lee AloInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Portia Bourke
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Zali FayReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Brooke Talataina
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won their last two games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have not won an opening round game since 2023.
- Eels winger Martha Mataele has scored four tries in her last two games at CommBank Stadium.
- Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor requires two points for 100 NRLW points.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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