Wests Tigers v Eels: Doueihi returns; Paulo ready to fire
The Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels are out to keep their slim finals hopes alive when they do battle at CommBank Stadium in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster.
The two teams faced off in a thrilling Easter Monday showdown earlier this season, Jock Madden kicking a penalty in golden point to secure the Tigers an epic victory.
This week's game promises to be no different as both sides fight to keep in touch with the top eight. The stakes couldn't be higher, with the loser likely to see their finals hopes extinguished.
The match will also pit Jarome Luai against his future side, with the Tigers five-eighth set to join the Eels on a one-year deal in 2027 before he links up with the PNG Chiefs in their inaugural campaign.
Luai will go head-to-head with emerging Eels five-eighth Ronald Volkman, who has impressed in the No.6 jumper this season.
Parramatta came close to stunning Penrith last weekend and will look to build on that performance on Sunday while the Tigers are desperate to rebound from a week of drama that involved a heavy defeat to the Raiders in Round 21.
Match: Wests Tigers v Eels
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
14th Position
away Team
Eels
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Wests Tigers: One swap on game day, with Alex Seywarth to start at prop, with Fonua Pole to the bench. After admitting on Wednesday that he "lost my head a little bit" and "definitely should have played last week", Adam Doueihi will be out to make good when he starts at halfback this week. Youngster Javon Andrews drops to the reserves after debuting last week in Doueihi's absence. Young gun Heamasi Makasini is back in the centres so Sunia Turuva moves out to the wing. Turuva has scored seven tries in his last five games against the Eels. No changes in Saturday's team update, with Andrews remaining in the reserves.
Eels: No late game-day changes for the visiting side. A big in for the Eels with prop Junior Paulo ready to go for career game No.275 as he returns from a knee injury that has sidelined him since Round 11. The loss of Luca Moretti to concussion brings Kelma Tuilagi into the starting side for Jason Ryles. No changes in the 24-hour update, with Araz Nanva remaining in the squad as 20th man.
Match: Wests Tigers v Eels
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Junior TupouWinger for Eels is number 2 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Heamasi MakasiniCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Patrick HerbertCentre for Eels is number 4 Jordan Samrani
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald Volkman
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam DoueihiHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Eels is number 8 Sam Tuivaiti
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Eels is number 9 Tallyn Da Silva
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex SeyfarthProp for Eels is number 10 Jack Williams
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Sione Fainu2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Eels is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleInterchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Charlie MurrayInterchange for Eels is number 15 Junior Paulo
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tony SukkarInterchange for Eels is number 16 Teancum Brown
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Harrison Edwards
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 14 Heath MasonReserve for Eels is number 18 Joash Papalii
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tristan HopeReserve for Eels is number 19 Toni Mataele
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Starford To'a
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have won four of their last five games against the Eels at CommBank Stadium.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored six tries in his last seven games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers winger Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his last five games against the Eels.
- Eels five-eighth Ronald Volkman has scored four tries in his last six games at CommBank Stadium.
- Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau will reach the milestone of 250 NRL games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Don't miss a Sunday afternoon blockbuster between two Western Sydney rivals. Tickets are selling fast, click here to secure your seats before they sell out.
