NRL match preview: Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights
Date: Sunday June 28
Venue: Pirtek Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Teams
Eels: Jarryd Hayne (c), Semi Radradra, Ryan Morgan, Willie Tonga, Vai Toutai, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (c), Isaac De Gois, Junior Paulo, Kenny Edwards, Pauli Pauli, Joseph Paulo, Interchange: David Gower, Mitch Allgood, Peni Terepo, Darcy Lussick, Kelepi Tanginoa
Knights: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joseph Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Kurt Gidley, David Fa’alogo, Adam Clydsdale, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Tyrone Roberts, Korbin Sims, Kade Snowden, Chris Houston, Joseph Tapine
Preview
Parramatta will be looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to Melbourne when they host Newcastle at Pirtek Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The talking point out of last week’s game was no so much the result, but the verbal exchange between Chris Sandow and Ben Cummins which saw the halfback sent to the sin bin. Brad Arthur has been forced into a change with Lee Mossop’s shoulder injury giving either Mitch Allgood or Darcy Lussick an opportunity to start from the bench.
Newcastle sent North Queensland packing on Monday night as they recorded only their third win of the season. This week they face a tough task trying to end Parramatta’s unbeaten run at Pirtek Stadium in 2014. They welcome back David Fa’alongo to the side with Korbin Sims returning to the bench. Kade Snowden is also back for the Knights. James McManus will be pressing for selection in the New South Wales Origin side after Will Hopoate’s recent shoulder injury.
Prediction
Parramatta seem to be too strong out wide on paper and should be able to rebound from last weekend’s loss to keep their Pirtek Stadium record intact.