The Parramatta Eels are out to take another step forward in Jason Ryles' rebuild when they face the North Queensland Cowboys in a Sunday afternoon stunner.
The Eels have impressed throughout the past couple of months as they build for the future. They suffered a tight defeat to Melbourne last weekend and have their sights on two competition points against the Cowboys.
Mitchell Moses has pulled the strings since returning from injury and he's set to put on a show for the home fans at CommBank Stadium.
Sunday's match marks another game on the road for North Queensland after last week's loss to the Sharks.
While they have had no issues scoring points this year, defence has proven more challenging and they'll have to tighten up that area of their game if they are to prevail this weekend.
Match: Eels v Cowboys
Round 23 -
home Team
Eels
13th Position
away Team
Cowboys
14th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: A double blow for Parramatta ahead of Sunday's tussle with the Cowboys, with Sean Russell (hand) and Sam Tuivaiti (knee) ruled out of the clash. Jordan Samrani comes into the centres, while Kelma Tuilagi has been added to the bench. Tuilagi returned from suspension in NSW Cup last week. No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update.
Cowboys: A host of forced changes on Saturday with Viliami Vailea (foot), Harrison Edwards and Tom Mikaele (knee) all ruled out. Winger Semi Valemei returns for his first appearance in the top grade since Round 10 last year while Kaiden Lahrs has been added to the bench alongside forward Nic Lenaz, who makes his NRL debut. Prop Jason Taumalolo (calf) and halfback Jake Clifford (quad) make their returns.
Match: Eels v Cowboys
Round 23 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash PapaliiFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zac LomaxWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Cowboys is number 2 Zac Laybutt
-
Centre for Eels is number 22 Dylan BrownCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Cowboys is number 19 Semi Valemei
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dean HawkinsFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 J'maine HopgoodProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Eels is number 15 Luca MorettiLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 13 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Marly Bitungane
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kai O'Donnell
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Cowboys is number 20 Nicholas Lenaz
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Kelma TuilagiInterchange for Cowboys is number 22 Kaiden Lahrs
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 4 Jordan SamraniReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jaxson Paulo
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won five of their last seven games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have lost all three games against the Eels at CommBank Stadium.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 11 tries in 11 games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have lost three of their four games in Sydney this season.
- Eels winger Zac Lomax has scored five tries in his last five games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
