TWL Rd 9 Preview: Warriors out to reverse trend against tackle-shy Eels

The Warriors have lost six of their last seven against Parramatta - but disparate defensive records in 2026 point to a convincing away win.

WARRIORS V EELS – 7.30PM (NZT)/5.30PM (AEST) SATURDAY, MAY 2 @ COMMBANK STADIUM, SYDNEY

The Storylines

The second-placed Warriors are on the march and searching for four straight, aiming to overcome yet another recent rivalry bugbear in the form of an away clash with the underperforming Parramatta Eels.

After a monumental win over Melbourne, the Warriors have only played well in spurts to subdue Queensland outfits Gold Coast and the Dolphins — but a first-half blitz in the former and a gritty defensive stand in the latter produced more positives than negatives.

Adam Pompey and Tanner Stowers-Smith get their chance to re-establish themselves in the line-up with Ali Leiataua and Mitch Barnett unavailable, while the big line-up talking point centres around whether Luke Metcalf — named in the No.19 — will see any action at CommBank Stadium.

The injury-ravaged Eels have had some great wins over Brisbane and Canterbury…and some horrendous losses, leaking 50-plus against the Storm and Titans.

But nothing can be taken for granted in the NRL — and the Warriors can’t afford to take their foot off the gas with their first bye of the year only 80 minutes away.

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