2022 NRL Magic Round Preview, Roosters Vs Eels

Josh Mercer previews the Magic Round clash between the Sydney Roosters and the Parramatta Eels.

MATCHDAY NEWS

MATCHDAY SCHEDULE

Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Date: Sunday, May 15, 4:05pm

MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS

Related: NRL Team List Tuesday

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Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Nat Butcher 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Ben Marschke 21. Ben Thomas 22. Kevin Naiqama 23. Adam Keighran 24. Tukupa Hau Tapuha

Sam Verrills (collarbone) and Lindsay Collins (suspension) will be missing this week. Siosiua Taukeiaho starts in the front row, with Connor Watson starting at hooker. Daniel Suluka-Fifita will come onto the bench.

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Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Hayze Perham 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Nathan Brown 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Wiremu Greig 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Mitch Rein 21. Sean Russell 22. Samuel Loizou 23. Elie El Zakhem 24. Brendan Hands

Brad Arthur has stuck with the same side that beat the Panthers.

Referee: Adam Gee

MATCHDAY PREVIEW

After two straight losses to teams they were expected to beat, the Roosters were able to get back into the winners’ circle by beating the Titans. Captain James Tedesco was instrumental in his team’s victory. He didn’t overplay his hand as he had in other games. There were a few tense moments, but they were able to able to pull off a confidence-boosting victory.

Like the Roosters, the Eels lost to teams they were expected to beat. On the flip side to that, they have also claimed the two biggest scalps in the competition. Could this be the year that the Eels fulfil their potential? Maybe, they will need to overcome their late-season slump.

This is the start of a tough run for the Roosters. If they had lost to the Titans, it would have been very hard to back up for this run of games. To say that they have been disappointing is an understatement, especially in the loss to the Bulldogs. They will need to play to their full potential to get the win this weekend.

If the same Eels side that beat the Storm and Panthers shows up, it could be a long night for the Roosters. Grinding down two of the top teams is huge, however, premierships are not won in May. Moving Dylan Brown back to five-eight was probably the best thing for the team and knocking off the defending premiers will give them a lot of confidence and it should transfer over to this game, which won’t be good news for the Roosters.

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INTERESTING FACT

The Roosters currently lead the head-to-head between the two sides. Since 1998 the Rooters sit on 23 and the Eels are on 13, with one drawn game.

MATCHDAY PREDICTION

Eels by 10.

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