Parramatta fans would’ve been ecstatic with the performance of fullback Jarryd Hayne in the first State Of Origin match but only 48 hours later, cursing his absence from the starting line-up of the team that took on the Panthers in round 12.
The Eels tried to overcompensate for Hayne and in doing so, turned over too much ball in attack and from seventeen sets in the first half, completed only ten.
Special Offer: $250 Parramatta Eels vs Nth Queensland Cowboys FREE BET
The poor handling gifted the Panthers plenty of possession (58%) and time in Eels territory (63 mins) which they converted into seven tries to run out comfortable victors 38 – 12.
It was the Eels third straight loss against a top eight side and their second by 13+.
The loss was compounded by the news that hooker Nathan Peats will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury that will require immediate surgery.
On the upside for Parramatta is that they return to Pirtek Stadium for this match where they’ve won all five games this year and Hayne returns at Fullback.
COWBOYS
The Cowboys made it five home wins in row last week with a comprehensive 22 – 0 win over a depleted Melbourne Storm.
Kane Linnett opened the scoring, the second time in the past three matches he has posted the first try, taking his record to seven tries from the past five games.
The only defeat from the past five weeks for the Cowboys has been to the Raiders in Canberra, their only way game during that time, and whilst they were without their Origin starts – Thurston, Scott, Tate and Tamou, it did continue their poor away form.
The Cowboys haven’t won any of their five away games this year.
A full squad plus a string of home game wins, can have the Cowboys no better prepared to break their away drought here.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Cowboys have won the past four matches against Parramatta including the one game played at Pirtek Stadium during the period. That win (14 – 10) was the first win for the Cowboys at Parramatta in six matches since 2006.
Traditionally matches between these two sides produce plenty of points with all but one of the last eight exceeding 40 points including the Cowboys 42 – 14 win over the Eels in round 8.
As their respective records indicates, the Eels are a much better team at home whilst the Cowboys struggle, so there’s no wonder the market here is a close one.
Best betting options may prove to be Either side Under 6.5 ($2.72), Kane Linnett and Jarryd Hayne to score during game at $2.30 and $1.83 respectively.
Odds Comparison:
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| Parramatta Eels | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.05 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.02 |
| Nth Queensland Cowboys | 1.83 | 1.83 | 1.80 | 1.83 | 1.83 | 1.80 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Teams:
Eels: Jarryd Hayne (c), Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga, Ken Sio, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (c), Luke Kelly, Junior Paulo, Kenny Edwards, Manu Ma’u, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: David Gower, Peni Terepo, Lee Mossop, Pauli Pauli
Cowboys: Michael Morgan, Matthew Wright, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston, Ray Thompson, Matthew Scott, Rory Kostjasyn, James Tamou, Ethan Lowe, Jason Taumalolo, Scott Bolton. Interchange: Robert Lui, Glenn Hall, Ashton Sims, John Asiata, Joel Riethmuller