Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers Preview
The Tigers are as slight underdogs but are backed to get the better of rivals the Eels in the traditional Easter Monday. Wests have points in them and can come out on top in an entertaining game.
- Tigers have won three of the last four meetings between the teams at CommBank
- 60+ points have been scored in two of the last three meetings
- Eels have seen 50+ points in all four games this season
- Eels have conceded 12 tries to second-rowers and centres in four games this season
- Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his last four games vs Eels & crossed last week
- Kai Pearce-Paul has scored three tries in three games this season
Eels vs Tigers Head To Head
These two teams have split their last four meetings at two wins apiece, including one victory each in 2025.
Parramatta Eels Exposed Defensively
It's been an okay start to the season for Parramatta, but they've been exposed defensively by the elite sides.
The Eels opened the season by conceding 50 points to the Storm, but bounced back strongly to defeat reigning premiers Brisbane 42-30 in an entertaining clash.
Parramatta did enough to take down the Dragons 30-20, but were predictably no match for a rampant Panthers side last week, going down 48-20.
Jason Ryles' side were never in the hunt as they went down 18-0 after 14 minutes, but they did manage to become the first team to score 20 points against Penrith in 2026. If they could just get their defence right, the Eels would be on their way.
Parramatta Eels Team News
Two big injury blows came out of that Penrith loss, with Matt Doorey gone for the season with an ACL injury, while Isaiah Iongi is out with an ankle problem.
Joash Papalii comes in at fullback, while Charlie Guymer joins the bench.
Parramatta Eels Team List
1. Joash Papali’i
2. Bailey Simonsson
3. Brian Kelly
4. Sean Russell
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jonah Pezet
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Jack Williams
9. Ryley Smith
10. Junior Paulo
11. Kelma Tuilagi
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Dylan Walker
Interchange
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Sam Tuivaiti
16. Charlie Guymer
17. Luca Moretti
Reserves
18. Jack de Belin
19. Apa Twidle
20. Ronald Volkman
21. Teancum Brown
22. Araz Nanva
Wests Tigers Off To A Good Start
It's been a bright start to the season for the Tigers - but that was also the case last year before they faded mid-season, so it will be interesting to see what lessons they've learned over the last 12 months.
The loss of Jarome Luai seemed like a big blow, but Jock Madden and Adam Doueihi stepped up with a brilliant display in the halves to lead their side to a 32-14 victory over the Warriors last week.
The Tigers finished strongly with six of the last seven tries, while their outside backs dominated metres, with Luke Laulilii, Sunia Turuva and Jahream Bula ranking in the top three.
Kai Pearce-Paul continues to highlight why he was one of the most underrated off-season purchases, with the second-rower crossing for his third try in as many games.
Wests Tigers Team News
No changes, with Benji Marshall sticking solid with the same squad that took out the Warriors.
Wests Tigers Team List
1. Jahream Bula
2. Faaletino Tavana
3. Sunia Turuva
4. Heamasi Makasini
5. Luke Laulilii
6. Jock Madden
7. Adam Doueihi
8. Terrell May
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Alex Twal
Interchange
14. Latu Fainu
15. Sione Fainu
16. Royce Hunt
17. Alex Seyfarth
Reserves
18. Bunty Afoa
19. Jeral Skelton
20. Tristan Hope
21. Tony Sukkar
22. Patrick Herbert