Matchday Details
Monday, April 6 – 4:05 PM (AEST) – Commbank Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Peter Gough | Bunker: Ashley Klein
Parramatta Eels
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 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Luca Moretti 18. Jack de Belin 19. Apa Twidle 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Teancum Brown 22. Araz Nanva
Wests Tigers
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 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Bunty Afoa 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Tristan Hope 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Patrick Herbert
Match Preview
Two bitter Western Sydney rivals go head‑to‑head on Easter Monday, with the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers renewing their rivalry to close out NRL Round 5 2026.
The Easter Monday clash has become a fixture of the long weekend since its introduction in 2014, with Parramatta holding a narrow 6–5 advantage across the rivalry. While both sides sit on two wins this season, they find themselves at opposite ends of the ladder. A Round 1 bye has the Tigers sitting third, while the Eels are down in 14th, their points differential suffering after facing several competition heavyweights in the opening month.
Parramatta come into the contest following a heavy loss to ladder‑leading Penrith, but will see this matchup as a chance to respond against their traditional rivals. The Tigers, meanwhile, arrive full of confidence after travelling across the Tasman Sea and stunning the Warriors 32–14 in Auckland.
The Eels have been forced into a reshuffle after an ankle injury to fullback Isaiah Iongi and a season‑ending ACL injury to forward Matt Doorey. Iongi’s absence opens the door for Joash Papali’i, who earns his first start at fullback in 2026 and will be eager to seize the opportunity. Jack de Belin also earns a recall on the interchange bench.
Despite the contrast in physical stature, the fullback battle shapes as a key subplot. Papali’i is a lively, elusive runner who will test the Tigers’ edge defence when sweeping out the back of shape. At the other end, Jahream Bula’s powerful running game and aerial ability loom as major threats against an Eels defence that has shown vulnerability through the opening four rounds.
Edge defence is likely to be decisive, with both teams boasting hard‑running back‑rowers capable of busting the contest open. Whether it’s Kai Pearce‑Paul or Samuela Fainu for the Tigers, or Kitione Kautoga and Kelma Tuilagi for Parramatta, one of these edge combinations looks primed to apply sustained pressure.
Monday’s clash marks the 51st meeting between the two clubs. Parramatta hold a strong historical advantage, having won 31 of those encounters, including six of nine played at CommBank Stadium.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Tigers by 6
Bold call: Kai Pearce‑Paul scores the first try of the match.
Related
- NRL Round 5 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 5 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
- NRL Injury List 2026
