What better way to finish the Easter weekend of football than the traditional showdown between the Eels and Wests Tigers at a heaving CommBank Stadium.
Coming off a superb win over the Warriors, Benji’s boys are riding high and ready to showcase their attacking flair against an Eels side that has been dealt a rough hand with injuries.
The Eels sit 2-2 after four rounds but they have conceded a tick under 40 points per game – a number coach Jason Ryles certainly won’t be pleased with.
Follow all the action from Round 5 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com’s live blog.
Eels v Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium
Milestone man: In his 150th NRL game, Eels prop Jack Williams went within inches of a stunning solo try that would been just the 14th of his career. Williams racked up 107 run metres for the half including 40 metres on a powerful charge down the right after he had scooped up a loose ball. After turning Jahream Bula inside out with a sidestep, Williams was dragged down just short of the tryline when the Tigers scrambled back to wrap him up. He got to his feet to try and plunge over the line but the ball came free.
Pearce-Paul all power: The Tigers’ English back-rower is laying claim to ‘buy of the year’ status as he continues an outstanding start to the season. Pearce-Paul was a constant danger on the right edge and came up with two try assists to go with two tackle breaks and 50 run metres from seven runs.
Half-time: The Tigers take a two-point lead to the sheds after a pulsating opening 40 minutes in front of a packed house at CommBank. The Tigers completed 20 of 24 sets and the Eels were 16 of 21 but it was the Tigers who came up with 30 tackle breaks to 15.
38 min: Adam Doueihi makes an error and Jack Williams scoots away down the right and puts a brilliant step on Jahream Bula and looks certain to score but the Tigers shut him down and the Eels prop loses it.
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Jahream Bula Try
35 min: On the back of a Brian Kelly error coming out of his own end the Tigers go right and Kai Pearce-Paul shows great footwork and strength before offloading for a trailing Jahream Bula to score. Jock Madden converts. Tigers 12-10.
34 min: The Tigers go high and Faaletino Tavana shows great athleticism to make the catch and hand it down to Kai Pearce-Paul who goes very close but is held up over the line.
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Adam Doueihi Try
29 min: Kai Pearce-Paul delivers a sweet offload for Adam Doueihi to score the Tigers’ first try on the right edge. Jock Madden converts. Eels 10-6.
28 min: A head clash between defender Sean Russell and attacker Heamasi Makasini leaves the Eels centre in bad way. Russell is penalised and placed on report for rushing out of the line and making head contact with Makasini. The Parra man is sent for a HIA.
25 min: The Eels are on a roll with a six-again but Jonah Pezet chooses to chip ahead on the second tackle and the ball rolls dead to let the Tigers off the hook.
20 min: Another opportunity lost by the Tigers as Adam Doueihi runs around in circles before the defence shuts him down and he spills it.
18 min: The Eels then return the favour with a mistake by Bailey Simonsson on the first play.
17 min: Brian Kelly spills the kick-off and the Tigers take a midfield scrum and then drop the ball on first tackle through Luke Laulilii.
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Junior Paulo Try
15 min: The Eels go bang-bang as Junior Paulo powers through Api Koroisau to crash over from close range. Mitch Moses converts. Eels 10-0.
13 min: Mitch Moses tests the defensive line and is taken down by Jock Madden who is penalised for a high shot.
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Bailey Simonsson Try
11 min: The Eels strike first after Bailey Simonsson shows great hands to pick up a Sean Russell pass and dive into the corner. Russell did superbly to beat two defenders before Simonsson had to get down low and pick the ball up off his bootlaces before plunging over. Mitch Moses pushes the conversion across the face. Eels 4-0.
9 min: Api Koroisau is penalised and placed on report for a hip drop on Kitione Kautoga.
8 min: Desperate online defence by the Eels keeps their line intact as Api Koroisau is shut down just two metres out.
6 min: The Tigers go to the air and the Eels are pinged for blocking the chasers. A second penalty for the Tigers who are camped in the red zone.
4 min: The first mistake of the day by the Eels and the Tigers send the ball to Kai Pearce-Paul who is taken high by Kitione Kautoga who is penalised and placed on report for a dangerous tackle.
Pre-game: A minute’s silence in honour of former Eel Neville Glover, who passed away this week at the age of 70. In 1976, Glover played in the club’s inaugural first grade grand final appearance. His strong form led to representative honours, including two Test appearances for Australia against New Zealand in 1978. He also represented NSW City and later NSW in 1979 against Great Britain. Across seven seasons with the Parramatta Eels, Neville played 121 first grade games and scored 55 tries. The Eels players will wear black armbands today as a mark of respect.
Late Mail
Eels: No late changes on game day for Jason Ryles who was forced to navigate another week of injuries. Young gun Joash Papalii steps in at fullback in place of Isaiah Iongi (ankle) while the newly re-signed Charlie Guymer comes on to the bench after Matt Doorey went down with an ACL injury. Veteran forward Jack de Belin and fullback Apa Twidle were also added to the six-man interchange.
Wests Tigers: Tristan Hope has been added to the six-man bench 90 minutes before kick-off with Bunty Afoa making way and lining up in the NSW Cup curtain-raiser. Young gun Faaletino Tavana retains his place on the wing, with Sunia Turuva to line up in the centres for the third-straight week.
Numbers Game
The Eels have won four of their six Easter Monday clashes with Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers have defeated the Eels in three of their last four games at CommBank Stadium.
Eels halfback Mitchell Moses requires three points for 500 points at CommBank Stadium.
Wests Tigers centre Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his last four games against the Eels.
Eels prop Jack Williams will make his 150th NRL appearance.