2021 NRL – Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? Saturday 27th March, 2021 – 08:35 (UK)
Where is Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Where can I get tickets for Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
PARRAMATTA EELS
Starting 13: Gutherson, Sivo, Opacic, Niukore, Ferguson, D. Brown, Moses, Campbell-Gillard, Mahoney, Paulo, Lane, Papali’i, N. Brown – Interchanges: Kaufusi, Hipgrave, Smith, Stone – Reserves: Rankin, Dunster, Hollis, Lussick
Unavailable: Michael Jennings (Suspended), Bryce Cartwright (Injured), Michael Oldfield (Injured), Waqa Blake (Injured), Ryan Matterson (Injured)
- Parramatta Eels snatched a dramatic late win as they overcame premiers Melbourne Storm in a thrilling contest in the rain last week to make it two wins from two to begin the campaign.
- The Eels put in a well-rounded display in difficult conditions, completing at 88% while missing fewer tackles than their opponents in a very gutsy defensive showing which saw them come away 16-12 winners.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Starting 13: Kennedy, Katoa, Dugan, Tracey, Mulitalo, Moylan, Townsend, Hamlin-Uele, Brailey, Woods, Nikora, Graham, Rudolf – Interchanges: Wilton, Tolman, Jack Williams, Magoulias – Reserves: Hiroti, Macdonald, Fifita, Trindall
Unavailable: Bronson Xerri (Suspended), Shaun Johnson (Injured), Jack A Williams (Injured), Royce Hunt (Injured), Siosifa Talakai (Injured), Jesse Ramien (Suspended)
- Cronulla Sharks pushed Canberra Raiders all the way but they were punished for failing to kick a couple of efforts at goal as they were narrowly defeated by just two points in a tense finish to last week’s contest.
- Chad Townsend twice had the chance to level the scores but he failed with both kicks late on as the Sharks suffered their first loss of the season with their poor ball control ultimately costing them too as they completed at just 63%.
THE PREDICTION
Parramatta Eels carried on where they left off against Brisbane Broncos as they edged premiers Melbourne Storm in a high-octane game last week. The Eels produced some brilliant defensive efforts to keep the Storm at bay and they snatched the win with a late try to cap off a superb performance in difficult conditions. Cronulla Sharks also had to tough it out in a deluge of rain but they fell short as Canberra Raiders got the better of them. They will feel they can push the Eels close here but the hosts are difficult to beat at Bankwest and the home side should prevail in this one.
