Nathan Smith previews the Friday night all-Sydney affair between Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels have hit the ground running in 2019 and remain undefeated. They come into the third round having defeated the Penrith Panthers in round one and the Canterbury Bulldogs in round two.
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are one from two coming into this round. They were at their attacking best last week, however their defence has conceded a total of 34 points in two rounds.
SQUAD NEWS
Parramattaย Eels
Michael Jennings will return to the starting squad having served his one week suspension, with Josh Hoffman returning to the extended bench.
Parramatta Eels squad: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Daniel Alvaro, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Tepai Moeroa, 14. Jaeman Salmon, 15. Tim Mannah, 16. Kane Evans, 17. David Gower, 18. Oregon Kaufusi, 19. Peni Terepo, 20. Josh Hoffman, 21. George Jennings
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters have some big names returning this week. Cooper Cronk comes back into halfback for Lachlan Lam and Jake Friend returns at hooker. Brett Morris is out with a knee injury and will be replaced by Matt Ikuvalu.
Sydney Roosters squad: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Isaac Liu, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Poasa Faamasuili, 17. Angus Crichton, 18. Brock Lamb, 19. Asu Kepaoa, 20. Nat Butcher, 21. Lachlan Lamb
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sydney Roosters have a dominant history against the Parramatta Eels. In 2018, the Sydney Roosters won by a commanding 44-10. The year before, a similar 48-10. In fact, it’s been three years since Parramatta has defeated the Roosters, with their last win coming in 2016. Furthermore, since 1998, the Roosters have won 20 of their 33 meetings and drawn once. If the head to head stats suggest anything, it’s that the Roosters will be hard to beat, and they’ll have plenty of points in them.
KEY BATTLE
Two backs that will be decisive in either side’s success are Blake Ferguson and James Tedesco. Blake Ferguson has been instrumental in both of the Eels’ victories, chalking up a try, try assist, and running for 458 metres. James Tedesco will no doubt have his work cut out for him should Ferguson break through the line, however, with a superb tackle efficiency of 83.8%, he’ll no doubt be confident in his ability to stop whatever comes at him. In addition to this, Tedesco has made a combined 270 metres in the opening two rounds, which will be as equally as worrying for the Eels team. These two former team mates will no doubt be barking at each other throughout the game.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday March 29
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Kick-off: 8.05pm (local)
Referee: Gerard Sutton, Peter Gough
WHO WILL WIN?
Parramatta are in fantastic form however their head to head record with the Sydney Roosters is poor. With the return of Cooper Cronk and Jake Friend, the Sydney Roosters will simply be too strong for the Parramatta Eels. The Eels will go closer than their past few results against the Roosters, however, the premiers will come out on top.
Roosters by 10
