NSW Cup Team List

Preliminary Final, 5:15PM Saturday, Jubilee Stadium

Congratulations to the NSW Cup squad who have emerged as the last team standing for the Parramatta Eels in 2025. Their job is far from done however as all but two victories stand between them and premiership glory. Their first task lies ahead of them on Saturday in the form on the minor premiers – the New Zealand Warriors.

Nathan Cayless has made a singular change to his team sheet this week. Wiremu Greig makes a rather timely return from a 2-game suspension to reclaim his place as a starting bookend opposite of Toni Mataele. Brock Parker shifts back to the bench which in turn pushes Ieti Samuelu out of the team that will face the Warriors in the twilight hours of Saturday.

Conquering New Zealand, in rugby league that is, will require the Eels to undoubtedly play their finest footy of the season. The Warriors, despite their last start loss to the Dragons, have been the benchmark this year and were able to account for Parramatta in the two occasions that they met.

Still, the Eels have shown they throw down with this week’s opposition back when they met in Round 15 and with key play-makers Apa Twidle and Ronald Volkman in sizzling form there is reason to believe they can find ways to breach the Warriors’ defence. Parramatta’s own defence – and their general discipline – will likely define how competitive the Blue & Gold can be on Satuday.

Regardless of how it all plays out, 2025 will be surely be regarded as a roaring success for the Eels in the NSW Cup with the understanding that it is a premier vehicle for NRL development. Alongside Apa Twidle we have Araz Nanva, Lorenzo Talataina, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, Will Lewis, Ryda Talagi and Tyrese Lokeni taking part in a grand final qualifier. That marks 7 Jersey Flegg eligible talents stepping up for a huge sudden-death shootout in reserve grade without even considering a host of other talented prospects that aided in getting the Eels to this point. It should not be forgotten either that Talataina, Funa-Iuta and Talagi were all playing SG Ball earlier this year.

If the Eels can find it in themselves to upset the Warriors then a date with the Dragons looms the week after but let’s just enjoy the fact that the Eels are still alive and playing meaningful footy this week.

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