Dominic Brock | rugbyleaguelive.com | 04/09/08 | 0
Parramatta Eels v New Zealand Warriors
Satruday, 6th September, 7.30pm
Parramatta Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson
HEAD TO HEAD
Played 23; Eels 15 wins, Warriors 8 wins.
FORM GUIDE
Eels: WLWLLLBWWLBLWWLWLLLWLWWWL
Warriors: LWLWWLLWBLLWLLLWBWWWLWWLW
These two teams sit outside the top eight but go into the final round of the season still with a chance to make the finals.
Both teams will be desperate to see Brisbane beat the eighth-placed Newcastle on Friday night. If the Knights win, it’s all over.
If Newcastle lose, a Warriors victory will see them slip into eighth (or seventh) place.
And if the Knights suffer a heavy defeat, the Eels can still snatch a finals berth with a big win.
Both sides go into this game with three wins from their last four, although last week’s defeat to St George Illawarra left the Eels reeling.
They’ll need to tighten up their defence in order to beat the Warriors, who, granted, are an easier prospect when playing away from home.
The Kiwis will also be missing fullback Wade McKinnon, who has been banned for three matches for spitting.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Can one of these teams steal the last finals spot?
KEY MATCH UP
Nathan Cayless v Steve Price
These guys are the heart and soul of their teams, hard-running props and captains to boot.
Parramatta’s forward pack has copped plenty of criticism in recent weeks, and Cayless will play a big part in helping the Eels’ big men match it against the likes of Price and Ruben Wiki.
Price meanwhile is a superb leader for the Warriors, guaranteed to make 100+ metres with ball in hand and about 20 tackles every week.
Both teams pack plenty of punch out wide, but it could be the arm wrestle up the middle that goes along way to deciding the result.
COACHES CORNER
If Parramatta can get the basics under control – ball control, defensive reads, etc – they have more than enough skill to pile on the points.
Feleti Mateo is the game’s best offloader and a great source of line breaks, while the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Tony Williams know their way to the tryline.
But if the game becomes a low-scoring tussle, the Warriors could prevail.
In the month before last week's 42-point effort against Penrith, the Warriors fought their way to low-scoring wins over Melbourne, Brisbane and Cronulla.
Granted, they were all at Mt Smart Stadium, but with a finals spot on the line the New Zealanders could lift against the inconsistent Eels.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Eels $1.75; Warriors $2.05
The Warriors are a big chance – particularly if the Broncos give them a chance on Friday – but without McKinnon’s spark from the back they could struggle to match Parramatta’s firepower.
We’ll tentatively tip the Eels to finish on a high before the Parramatta board consider coach Michael Hagan’s future at the club during the off-season.
CASUALTY WARD
Eels: Ben Smith – knee (indefinite), Joel Reddy – hamstring (indefinite), Mark Riddell – knee (indefinite), Daniel Wagon – ribs (indefinite), Brett Finch – cheekbone (season)
Warriors: No injuries
BAD BOYS
Eels: -
Warriors: Wade McKinnon (Finals Wk 3)
TEAM LISTS
Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Taulima Tautai, Krisnan Inu, Tony Williams, Feleti Mateo, Kristopher Keating, Nathan Cayless (capt), Matthew Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Todd Lowrie, Chad Robinson. Interchange: Brendan Oake, Josh Cordoba, Weller Hauraki Junior Paulo, Tim Robinson (one to be omitted)
Warriors: TBA, Aiden Kirk, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (capt), Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave, Sam Rapira, Logan Swann
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