NRL PreviewParramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans Thursday, August 17, 7:50pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
It was a costly loss for the Eels against the last-placed Knights last week as a victory would have seen Brad Arthur’s men force their way into the Top 4, with both the Sharks and Sea Eagles losing their respective matches. They can’t afford to slip up against the struggling Titans, who are now dealing with off-field dramas to go with their on-field woes. Star recruit Jarryd Hayne, and coach Neil Henry are at loggerheads, while there is also injury concerns surrounding Hayne, Jarrod Wallace, Kane Elgey and Ash Taylor in the lead-up to the clash against the Eels. Parramatta flyer Bevan French could make his return from a hamstring injury this week.
HistoryThe Titans have won 7 of the last 9 against the Eels including, a 26-14 victory on the Gold Coast in Round 3 this year. It’s worth noting that neither Jarryd Hayne or Corey Norman featured in the Round 3 clash.
FormParramatta sit fifth on the ladder with a 13-8 record, blowing a Top 4 berth with a shocking 29-10 loss to Newcastle last round. It ended a six-game win streak where the Eels did not concede more than 16 points over that run. Gold Coast are a club in disarray with Neil Henry and Jarryd Hayne at loggerheads and it has been reflected in two very ordinary results, a 54-0 home loss to Brisbane followed by a 42-16 road loss to the Dragons. The Titans have dropped four on the trot and are down to 14th on the ladder.
Key MatchupCameron King v Nathan Peats: Cameron King has done a stellar job in the absence of first-choice hooker Kaysa Pritchard. He’s not the most attacking hooker, but tackles everything that comes his way and provides good service to his halves. Nathan Peats was squeezed out of the Eels when they were battling their salary cap dramas, and the Titans hooker will be keen to remind them of what they let go. He was very good in his first Origin series and has been one of the Titans more consistent performers this season. One criticism of Peat’s game is his refusal to run the ball from dummy-half, which was one of his strengths when he was coming through the ranks.
Stats That Matter– Parramatta are 11-10 ATS with a 15-6 under record while Gold Coast are 9-12 ATS with a 14-7 over record.
– The Titans have won 7 of the last 9 against the Eels including the last two.
– Since 2010, 11 of the 12 meetings have finished on 38 points or more.
– Parramatta have covered just 2 of their last 12 when favoured by more than a converted try since 2013 with an 8-4 under record.
– Parramatta are 18-6 under at ANZ since 2013 with a 14-10 ATS record.
– The Eels are 6-1 under at the ground after conceding 20 or more points.
– Gold Coast are 25-15 ATS record since 2014 but have covered just 4 of their last 10.
– The Titans have covered just 1 of their last 5 interstate as an underdog of 8 or more.
– This season 12 of the last 16 teams to have conceded 40 points have covered their following game.
Final ThoughtsThe Wolf isn’t expecting lightning to strike twice and is tipping the Eels make amends for last week’s shock loss to the Knights. The Titans are a shambles at the moment and there’s the possibility that key players in Taylor, Wallace and Hayne could miss the clash. Eels to do it well and keep their Top 4 hopes alive.
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