Match Preview: NSW Cup Round 8 vs Eels

The Sea Eagles will play at 4 Pines Park for just the third time this season when they tackle archrivals Parramatta Eels in the round eight curtain raiser to the sold out NRL match.

Both teams will be chasing just their second win of the season, with the Sea Eagles going in on the back of a last start 38-22 loss to the Warriors in Auckland.

Manly Coach Brett Kimmorley was pleased with the much-improved effort against the Warriors after being beaten by 40 by the Dragons prior.

“It was a huge improvement. I thought we were very good defensively for most of the game,’’ Kimmorley said.

“We won the play the balls, slowed the ruck down, and had our defensive line set in order.

“My only concern was the number of soft tries we let in. You can’t afford to do that as it’s too hard of a competition to then try and come from behind.

“Our attack was much better too.  Half-back Joey Walsh had some good combinations going with the middles and he also did well getting the ball to the edges.

“We made five-line breaks to their six. I was quite happy with the amount of line breaks and opportunities we had but I’d like to limit the amount of line breaks down.”

Kimmorley also praised the performance of exciting centre Josh Feledy, who crossed for a first half hat-trick.

“Josh has been great all this season. He made his NRL club debut for Manly a few weeks ago and is a strong ball carrier,’ Kimmorley added.

“He has really taken the opportunity to push for that first-grade spot since returning home to Manly (from Wests Tigers) after coming through our juniors.”

The Eels go into the game on the back of a 20-point loss to the Bulldogs last week.

Kick-off at 4 Pines Park is 1.30pm.