The Eels and the Warriors meet at Jubilee Stadium today with the only remaining berth in the Grand Final on the line. New Zealand have been the form team of the competition all year, running away with the minor premiership. However, they were ambushed by the Dragons last week and now find themselves in this sudden death scrap with the Eels as a result.

Parramatta are calling upon a youthful but exciting squad today with 7 Jersey Flegg Cup eligible prospects (and 3 of those SG Ball Cup players this year) helping lead the way for the Blue & Gold. Apa Twidle has been a standout at Cup level among his peers but Araz Nanva has also been a mainstay in the centres. Lorenzo Talataina is newer to the grade but has quickly struck up an important relationship in the halves with key figure Ronald Volkman.

Wiremu Greig returns at a crucial juncture for the Eels having served a 2-game suspension. His return not only bolsters the front-row alongside Toni Mataele but adds important experience to the team. Indeed, Parramatta’s front-row of Greig, Mataele and Joey Lussick is by far by the most seasoned unit in the squad and it is their maturity that might very well prove critical in carrying the Eels to victory.

There is no doubt that the Blue & Gold enter this evening’s clash as outsiders but it is Any Given Sunday Saturday rules right now. All that stands between the Eels and a date in the big dance is 80-minutes of high quality footy.

Kickoff is set for 5:15PM and you can follow all the coverage of the game right here on TCT. The match will also be broadcast on BarTV Sports so if you can live stream the footy if you have a subscription.

 

NSW Cup Team List

1	Apa Twidle
2	Jake Tago
3	Araz Nanva
4	Jordan Samrani
19	Beau Newlands
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Ronald Volkman
8	Wiremu Greig
9	Joey Lussick
10	Toni Mataele
11	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
12	Will Lewis
13	Dan Keir
Interchange
14	Kruz Niutili-Schmidt
15	Brock Parker
16	Ryda Talagi
17	Tyrese Lokeni

 

Late Mail

 

Samuel Loizou has dropped out of the line-up with Beau Newlands replacing him on the wing. It is a completely different story for the Warriors as they have the luxury of parachuting some massive reinforcements in at the last minute as Ali Leiataua, Edwards Kosi and Tanah Boyd transform their back line.

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

Warriors are kicking off.

Greig with the opening call as Lussick sends him into the fray. Mataele brings the ball back to the middle as Keir joins in on the third. Talataina takes the ball left before Greig brings up the last. Bit of chaos there for the Eels as Volkman is put under heavy pressure. He manages to get the ball out to Twidle who beats a defender and finds Will Lewis who completes the set with a reasonable clearing kick.

A solid defensive set follows for the Eels as Twidle comfortably fields the bomb from Tanah Boyd. Simple work through the ruck from Parra early in this set as Greig takes them over halfway and offloads and sparks a wonderful passage of play as Volkman surges down the right and finds Samrani who bumps off a runner and gets it back to Ronald. A quick play-the-ball there on the last but a poor pass from Mataele to Talataina results in a drop and a huge missed chance. Some positive signs there though.

Another good defensive set from the Eels and a near carbon copy finish as Twidle defuses another midfield bomb. Tough work done by Nanva and Samrani here as the Warriors slow the ruck down. Mataele gets the Eels back on the front foot with a bustling charge to bring up the last.

Now some wicked bad luck for the Eels. Volkman’s bomb is allowed to bounce by the Warriors and Funa-Iuta leaps up for the tip back. Instead of getting punished for the passive play on the ball, the Warriors get a gift wrapped bounce of the tip-back that finds a Warrior and suddenly the field position is flipped. The Eels are left to scramble against the run of play and it results in Taine Tuaupiki attacking down the right edge and catching out a sliding Mataele with a dummy and step as the livewire fullback opens up the scoring today.

 

Try scored by Taine Tuaupiki. Conversion unsuccessful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 4-0

7min gone

 

A strong set for New Zealand after points – their best of the game in terms of yardage. Boyd hoists the bomb up once again and Newlands does a very good job bringing that one in safely.

Nice shift there to their right from the Eels as sharps hands release Tago into a bit of space and the nuggety winger smartly sorties back in-field to bring up the final play of the set. Volkman sends up a towering bomb but it is well taken by the Warriors and Talataina makes the tackle on the kick chase.

What on Earth was that whistle? Again the Warriors have luck swing their way on a kick they refuse to contest. It is a bomb from Talataina and Volkman scooped it up on the bounce but the referee makes a bizarre call on JFI taking a player out. Replay shows it wasn’t the case but the Warriors get the call. Now a second penalty, a correct one mind you, for a high tackle but it is a tsunami of possession for the Warriors and they cash in down their left edge as Boyd drifts down the left and finds a flying Graham-Taufa on a seam between defenders.

 

Try scored by Moala Graham-Taufa. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 10-0

15min gone

 

With the aid of some fortuitous bounces and calls the Warriors have delivered a staggering opening flurry – can the Eels respond?

Set for set play after points here. Closest thing to arm wrestle in this contest thus far. Unfortunately it is Parra who blinks first as their kick chase is picked apart by a long shift to Tuaupiki and only a desperation ankle tap from Brock Parker prevents catastrophic damage from happening.

The Warriors do earn a set restart down the track and it positions them for another full raid on Parramatta’s goal line and again they are able to convert to possession and territorial advantage into points. Boyd plays down the left once again before finding his halves partner Hanson who holds it up for Graham-Taufa who bags an early brace.

 

Try scored by Moala Graham-Taufa. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 16-0

22min gone

 

Big metres for NZ as they crest their wave of momentum. They drive deep into Parra’s half and test Apa Twidle with a bomb yet again but Apa shows a clean set of hands. It was always going to be a tough set around the ruck for the Eels as the Warriors tee off in defence but an error from Parker compounds matters that much more as the minor premiers have spotted another terrific attacking opportunity.

Parker concedes a set restart early in the next set as he slows the ruck down and the Warriors work to their right. Finally some luck for the Eels! A sloppy pass from dummy half ricochets off Keir and back to Volkman who scoops it up brilliantly! He races away for a 20m gain before the Eels pick up a penalty a tackle later.

Feels like a must-score scenario for the Eels and they are finding some creases through this set with second phase ball. Ultimately their points come off a somewhat scrappy movement as Talataina’s cutout pass to the left is allowed to bounce after Twidle spotted shooting pressure coming to him. Nanva scoops it up on the fly and quickly pivots to rip a perfect pass to Newlands who storms over in the corner!

 

Try scored by Beau Newlands. Conversion unsuccessful by Apa Twidle.

Eels trail 4-16

30min gone

 

Ryda Talagi, youngest player on the park, is ripping in and picks up a penalty for a high tackle on his person. JFI and Lokeni rip in next as the Eels work left with Talataina who turns Lewis underneath. Volkman beats a defender down the right and his run creates an opportunity down the short side! The Eels immediately go for the narrow edge raid as Twidle reads in beautifully. He quickly finds Samrani who release Tago and Tago goes full beast mode as he tramples over multiple defenders to score a cracker in the corner! They won’t go quietly today!

 

Try scored by Jake Tago. Conversion successful by Apa Twidle.

Eels trail 8-16

34min gone

 

Solid return from Lokeni. Samrani and Talagi go next. Great effort from Ryda there too as he wins over the ad-line. Left to Lewis before Keir brings the Eels over half way. Volkman to option on the last as he goes high and his kick is chased by the right edge neatly.

Oooh, the needle swings back towards Parramatta again as an offside chaser tackles Apa Twidle at the completion of the Warriors’ next set. Can they convert into more points?

Great start from Jezaiah as he runs and offloads on the first. It leads to more metres for Lokeni. Now Talataina with a great run! They are poised to attack the goal line as a result but it comes unstuck two plays later! Talagi gets his decoy run wrong and obstructs the defence as Talataina sorties down the left. No doubts about that one. Clear penalty.

Thankfully the Eels navigate the following set – perhaps the final chance for New Zealand to get a full possession to attack. Even better, it is a 7-tackle set after the attacking bomb is spilled over the dead ball line by the Warriors.

Simple but effective stuff from the Eels here as they just pound it up the guys and get to their kick. The Warriors spill the kick! Volkman’s bomb produces the goods as Keir chases through and tips it back to Ronald who makes a bee-line for the try-line! But no! It has been ruled a double knock on. That feels like a terrible call! The Eels have been denied a HUGE try. They will still have the scrum feed with under a minute to play but that was a try under the posts taken away.

Muck tactics in the ruck from the Warriors, as expected. Referee calls his first set restart and from there Lussick nearly burrows over. Held up. From the resumption of play Volkman tries to roll it in behind but the trap and scrap sees the Warriors knock it on. They race to set the scrum and line up to the left. The Warriors are able to nullify the set piece and the Eels turn the ball over trying to keep it alive after the siren. What a huge call that Keir knock on could prove to be. That was backwards all day for mine with Volkman scoring under the posts. Still, great spirit from the Eels to fight back after the early blitz from the Warriors.

 

Half Time

New Zealand Warriors 16 lead the Parramatta Eels 8

 

Second Half

 

Parramatta to kick off.

Aggressive opener from the Warriors as they spin the ball to their right. Parramatta adjust well as the Warriors bring the pill over half way on the last. Boyd goes high but Twidle takes it on the fly with a sharp catch and run. Newlands and Lussick start the next set. Good run from Joey too. Parker rumbles over halfway before the Eels attack to their right. Volkman digs in deep and finds Twidle who looks for Tago but his ball is intercepted! But no! Play comes back for a late hit on Keir. Phew. Luck for the Eels there for certain.

Early ruck work down the left for the Eels before Parker sparks a surge with an offload. Parra switch play to their right and look to have got a bit more luck when Samrani is ruled to have regained possession before contact after juggling a pass. Replay shows it was a bad call too but the Eels did cop that earlier with the JFI penalty to be fair.

Talagi centres the ball and earns a set restart and that sets the platform for Lussick to swoop. He loves a crack from short field and he gets over under the posts!

 

Try scored by Joey Lussick. Conversion successful by Apa Twidle.

Eels trail 14-16

45min gone

 

Now Twidle nearly knifes through down the left edge. Lorenzo with a good run in his wake as Volkman completes the set with a midfield bomb. Suggestions of an escort perhaps but the referee clears it. However only a play later the Eels have the ball back after sloppy ruck work from Kosi! Huge chance here! Great work from Talagi there too with a heavy shot.

Parker with an early carry now before a fractured movement slows play down following a poor pass from Volkman. The Eels nearly crack the Warriors as Talataina fired a svelte short pass to Samrani but the big centre bobbles the ball as he hits the deck and New Zealand survive the raid.

Parramatta did not need that. Their markers are ruled offside as the Warriors get a much needed passage out of their own half.

And costly it proves to be, damn. The Warriors are able create a chance against Parra’s right edge as Hanson beats Volkman to the outside and fires the try-assisting pass to Edward Kosi to extend New Zealand’s lead again.

 

Try scored by Edward Kosi. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 22-14

51min gone

 

As expected, an energetic set from the Warriors after posting points. Boyd threatens to cause carnage with a testing run through the middle on the penultimate tackle but the Eels contain him and force a limp option on the last with the halfback out of play. Lussick traps Healey’s grubber kick in the front line and falls on it for the turnover.

Another tough call against the Eels now as they win a contest for an attacking bomb. The tip back finds Parker who flicks it to a flying JFI with the goal line in sight and support lined up but no! Again the whistle holds up a near certain Parra try. The touch judge has ruled the chase offside but the replay does not support the call. Geez there has been some tough luck for the Blue & Gold in critical pockets today. Parker was offside on the interior but was outside the 10m landing zone so perhaps that was the call?

Parramatta survive a huge scare when a double movement right in front of the referee prevents Ieremia-Toeava from scoring next to the posts. The Eels fight their way inside the Warriors’ half in return and trap Tuaupiki 10m off this line before driving defence forces the Warriors even further back. Can’t afford a penalty here but the effort has been excellent. They avoid the whistle and force Boyd to kick from deep inside in own territory. He splits Tago and Twidle as the former retrieves the ball.

Apa is clearly clocked high now and play goes on. Joke of a missed call there. Sharp work from Lorenzo there as he puts Tago into space with a clever dummy and then pass. The Eels run it on the last as Volkman uses Lorenzo but the cover defence barely close in on him before he splits the gap! He flings it back looking for support but it is dived on by a defender.

Another flashpoint in the game early in Parra’s next possession. Samrani makes a powerful charge through the middle to start the set but he has the ball reefed out of his grip for a massive turnover. Big play from the defender, poor security from Jordan though. As they have done through most of this game, the Warriors are able to turn the gift opportunity into points as Setu Tu is able to beat Newlands to the corner after the Warriors use hands down their right edge.

 

Try scored by Setu Tu. Conversion unsuccessful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 26-14

66min gone

 

A confusing mess here but it is Parramatta ball. Did Volkman strip that out? Was it knocked on? Who knows but the referee indicates the feed of the scrum will go to the Eels.

Good run and offload from Funa-Iuta there but the Eels give themselves up on the second phase shift as a blocker gets in a bad spot. Apa Twidle is barely dragged down in the right corner in a huge tackle. That brings up the last as Volkman stabs a kick back to the posts for his halves partner Lorenzo Talataina. The rapid five-eighth wins the race for the bouncing ball but another monstrous defensive effort disrupts his arm as he tries to ground it! Wow. Massive credit to the defender there for a straight up game-winning play.

And it results in another swing on the scoreboard as the Eels go from cutting the deficit in half to conceding their 6th try of the night. It is one of the late inclusions for New Zealand here in Ali Leiataua as he explodes through the left edge of the Eels and storms over with a big swan dive thrown in.

 

 

Try scored by Ali Leaiataua. Conversion unsuccessful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 30-14

72min gone

 

Shortish kickoff from the Eels here but the Warriors get under it and claim possession. Bold and brash footy from them too now as they offload with reckless abandon. It carries them to the goal line where they run it on the last and score in spectacular fashion as Setu Tu somehow gets the ball down despite a strong tackle from Newlands. Maybe Tu’s foot scraped the line but it was a pretty fair effort regardless.

 

Try scored by Setu Tu. Conversion successful by Tanah Boyd.

Warriors lead 36-14

75min gone

 

Things have gotten real ugly real quickly here as the Eels looked to have checked out sadly. Hanson finally claims a try for himself after setting up a few earlier this game. Fatigue and a tidal wave of possession working together here as the right edge defenders nibble on Hanson’s dummy and he dives over.

 

Try scored by Luke Hanson. Conversion successful by Taine Tuaupiki.

Warriors lead 42-14

78min gone

 

Thankfully that is an end to the run of points for the Warriors. New Zealand punch their ticket to the grand final where they will meet the Dragons. Parramatta bring a close to a hugely successful campaign where youth featured so prominently throughout – including tonight where Ryda Talagi impressed with a brilliant stint off the bench.

 

Full Time

New Zealand Warriors 42 defeat the Parramatta Eels 14