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Warriors V Parramatta Preview

Warriors v Parramatta Preview

Few matches in Round 1 contain more elements of intrigue than the history-making clash between the Warriors and the Eels at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium.

It is the first time an NRL match has been played at New Zealand’s rugby union showpiece and the first time the Warriors have played a home game in Shaky Isles away from Mt Smart.

The Warriors’ two high-profile recruits from Parramatta were expected to line up against their former club in this match but only the ball-playing utility Feleti Mateo will confront his old team-mates. The other, winger Krisnan Inu, was overlooked in favour of
Toyota Cup star Glen Fisiiahi, who will make his NRL debut.

New Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney, who took the Kiwis to Four Nations victory last season, has named a handful of relative unknowns in his line-up for Saturday’s match. Centre Ryan Morgan and prop Mitchell Alllgood will both make their debuts while Tongan pair Etu Uaisele and Taniela Lasalo have also won places in the starting side.

The Warriors hammered the Eels 35-6 the last time these teams met in Auckland and while much has changed since then, the home side look capable of a win by 1-12 points.

For First Tryscorer look to Glen Fisiiahi, Manu Vatuvei or Lance Hohaia for the Warriors or Jarryd Hayne or Chris Walker for the Eels.

David is Crunch Sport's baseball guru. He's a walking, talking almanac when it comes to stats and facts. His elementary school dreams of playing professionally were scuppered by terrible co-ordination, but luckily his writing skills kept him in touch with his beloved sport through high school and beyond.

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