The Stats Zone
· Tom

2018 NRL – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels Preview

Post Share

AT A GLANCE

When? Friday 11th May, 10:55 (UK)

Where? ANZ Stadium

What channel is it on? UK - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels will not be televised live in the UK
Australia - Nine Network, Foxtel, LIVE PASS

Where can I stream the match? UK - N/A Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-...

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.com.au...

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

BULLDOGS

Head Coach: Dean Pay

Starting 13: Mbye, B. Morris, J. Morris, Hopoate, Montoya, Frawley, Foran, Woods, Marshall-King, Klemmer, Jackson, Faitala-Mariner, Martin – Interchanges: Elliott, Fualalo, Toomaga, Holland – Reserves: Olive, Priest, Fine, Lichaa

Unavailable: Tom Carr, Aiden Tolman

  • Jamayne Isaako’s penalty on the hooter broke Canterbury hearts last week. With the game edging towards golden point, Moses Mbye was deemed to have committed a professional foul and from the resulting penalty, Brisbane were able to seal a 22-20 win.
  • Renouf Toomaga replaces Clay Priest on the bench whilst Rhyse Martin retains his place in the side after a promising debut last week.
  • The reintroduction of Matt Frawley into the halves for Canterbury seemed to work for them last week. Despite only having 43% of the ball, the Bulldogs should have at least sent the game to golden point. If they can be as clinical with the ball this week, they can pick up the two points.

EELS

Head Coach: Brad Arthur

Starting 13: Gutherson, French, M. Jennings, Takairangi, G. Jennings, Norman, Moses, Alvaro, Smith, Matagi, Ma'u, Moeroa, Terepo – Interchanges: Scott, Edwards, Gower, Vave – Reserves: King, Auva’a, Hoffman, Niukore

Unavailable: Nathan Brown, Jarryd Hayne, Tony Williams, Kaysa Pritchard, Tim Mannah

  • Parramatta’s late fightback fell agonisingly short against Cronulla last week. Trailing by 18 points with just seven minutes left, the Eels managed to score three tries but Mitchell Moses couldn’t convert his own try on the hooter as his side fell to a two-point defeat, 22-20.
  • Parramatta must do without Kaysa Pritchard with a groin injury and Tim Mannah with a fractured eye socket. Will Smith starts at hooker in place of Pritchard with Siosaia Vave and Beau Scott coming onto the bench.
  • The Eels were again in double-digits in terms of errors made last week. That allowed Cronulla to have 56% of the ball with the Eels only completing at 72% too.

THE PREDICTION

The NRL’s bottom two face off this week with Canterbury hosting Parramatta. Both teams lost by two points last week and will be eager to put those defeats behind them. Parramatta will feel the loss of Kaysa Pritchard with the rake’s energy always a big plus for his side and Will Smith will need to try and replicate that. The Bulldogs will be hoping to build on last week’s performance but need a greater share of the ball to prevent them from doing so much defending. This game could go either way but Canterbury have the better numbers in terms of both attack and defence this season and can just edge it.

TSZ Latest