Eels fancy chances against Roosters
IT may not be the type of trait to scare two-time defending premiers the Sydney Roosters but it’s what Parramatta coach Brad Arthur believes has his ladder-leading side primed for arguably the most anticipated match of the NRL season to date.
With the Eels having made their best start in almost 35 years, Arthur describes his current team as the most reliable in his seven years in the job.
“We’re definitely reliable, and that’s what we want to be,” he said yesterday.
“We want to be able to repeat what we want to do over and over for long periods of games, for the whole 80 minutes of games, for tough periods of the games.”
It is why, after impressive wins over Manly and Penrith, Arthur is so adamant Parramatta do not have to find another gear against the
Roosters.
The proof is in the pudding for Arthur, with statistics revealing no side has scored more, or conceded less, second-half points so far this season. Instead, it’s all about maintaining their form when the stakes are at their highest.
“In the bigger games, you’re going to be placed under more pressure,” Arthur said.
“It’s about making sure that we don’t stray from what we know works for us, and having the resilience to commit to it and stick to it.”
In contrast, Roosters coach
Trent Robinson insists his side are nowhere near their potential despite racking up a combined 129-18 scoreline over the past fortnight.
And they get their spiritual pack leader Jared WaereaHargreaves back from injury.
“We’re definitely not peaking,” Robinson said. “I feel like we’re playing good Roosters footy ... we’re just playing footy for the 80 minutes and the results are following.
“The guys’ combinations have been good ... we feel like we’re in a building phase at the moment.”