Match Preview: Round 27 vs Eels

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Wed 4 Sep 2024, 09:45 PM

Wests Tigers take on the Parramatta Eels on Friday night at a sold-out Campbelltown Sports Stadium in the final round of the season.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Friday 6 Sep

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Eels

Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Much is at stake for both teams in what is sure to be a hotly contested match between two western Sydney rivals.

Latu Fainu scores his first NRL try in the Round 25 win over the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt

The home side is fresh off the bye which followed a 34-26 victory over the Sea Eagles in Round 25 at Leichhardt, and prior to that a two-point win over the Rabbitohs at Campbelltown.

Wests Tigers are aiming to finish a disappointing season on a high and achieve three straight wins for the first time since 2018, the same season the Eels collected their most recent wooden spoon.

The Eels held on to score a 44-40 win over the Dragons last weekend after leading 44-12 with 11 minutes remaining.

That win ended a three-match losing streak for the blue and golds which included defeats to the Panthers, Roosters and Broncos.

This will be just the second time Wests Tigers have played the Eels at Campbelltown in the club’s 25-year history.

Marika Koroibete scored four tries when the Eels last visited Campbelltown

The last time was in Round 22 2012, when Benji steered his team back from 22-6 down, to secure a remarkable 51-26 victory.

If the home side can get up again, it will be the first time since 2012 that Wests Tigers have beaten Parramatta Eels twice in the same season.

2024 Debutants: Tony Sukkar alongside fellow local juniors Luke Laulilii and Heath Mason

In team news, edge forward Tony Sukkar is set to become the twelfth player to make his NRL debut with Wests Tigers this season. The 20-year-old Balmain junior has come through Wests Tigers pathways teams, this year playing his first season in the NSW Cup for Wests Magpies.

Feledy bags a double against the Eels in the NSW Cup earlier this season

Nineteen-year-old centre, Josh Feledy, also comes into the side for what will be his third NRL appearance, having made his NRL debut in the same round last season.

Former Wests Tigers forward Kelma Tuilagi comes back into the Eels side at second row with Shaun Lane starting at prop and Ofahiki Ogden pushed to the bench. Sean Russell also returns to the side on the wing after missing last week's game due to illness.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Friday 6 Sep

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Heath Mason

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Junior Tupou

Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Josh Feledy

Centre for Eels is number 4 Blaize Talagi
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines

Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn Asi

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Eels is number 17 Ofahiki Ogden
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Alex Seyfarth

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i

Lock for Eels is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu

Interchange for Eels is number 10 Shaun Lane
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fonua Pole

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Joey Lussick
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Twal

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Makahesi Makatoa
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 22 Tony Sukkar

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Luca Moretti

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Alex Lobb

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Tago

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/8/2024 11:48:12 PM

Fast Facts:

Wests Tigers have scored 66 points in consecutive wins at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Eels have won nine of their past 11 games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers are aiming for two wins in a season against the Eels for the first time since 2012.
Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored 19 tries in his past 12 NRL games.
The Tigers are aiming for three successive wins for the first time since 2018.