Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Tips & Preview - Chooks & Eels name quality sides for pre-season trial

James Smith

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Last updated: Fri 20 Feb 2026 01:43

James Smith 20 Feb 2026

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Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels clash in a preseason trial on Saturday February 21
The game will kick off at 6.00pm AEDT at Polytec Stadium
Cherry-Evans lines up for Roosters; Pezet partners Moses in the Eels' halves

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Roosters and Eels clash on Saturday (Photo by Getty Images)

Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Preview

The Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels close out their pre-season preparations this Saturday in what shapes as a meaningful final audition before Round 1.

Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Preview
Sydney Roosters
Parramatta Eels
Roosters vs Eels Teams

While trial results rarely define a season, this fixture carries added intrigue given the roster adjustments on both sides and the competition for key starting spots.

Sydney Roosters

The Roosters are expected to give significant minutes to their first-choice spine, including James Tedesco, Sam Walker and Daly-Cherry Evans. The development of combinations in the halves remains a priority, particularly in how the side manages tempo and territory through the kicking game.

Up front, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ departure in recent seasons has reshaped the middle rotation, placing added responsibility on emerging props and established enforcers to control ruck speed.

Edge forwards such as Angus Crichton will also be monitored closely as the Roosters refine their attacking shapes on both edges.

Coach Trent Robinson has consistently emphasised the importance of cohesion and defensive standards during the pre-season period, indicating that combinations and discipline are more important than the final scoreline at this stage of preparation.

Parramatta Eels

Parramatta enter 2026 with renewed focus following a transitional period. The Eels’ key playmakers, including Mitchell Moses, will be under scrutiny as they work to sharpen their attacking structures. Moses’ kicking game and organisational control will be vital in guiding a reshaped backline. All eyes will also be on rising five-eighth Jonah Pezet after his big move from Melbourne.

The forward pack, featuring experienced leaders and emerging middle options, is expected to test the Roosters’ defensive resolve. Parramatta’s edge combinations will also be a focal point, particularly in defensive decision-making under pressure.

Eels coach Brad Arthur has spoken throughout the pre-season about improving resilience and consistency, highlighting that defensive attitude and effort areas are non-negotiables heading into the new campaign.

Roosters vs Eels Teams

No.	Pos	Sydney Roosters	Parramatta Eels
1	Fullback	James Tedesco (c)	Isaiah Iongi
2	Winger	Tommy Talau	Bailey Simonsson
3	Centre	Billy Smith	Will Penisini
4	Centre	Fetalaiga Pauga	Sean Russell
5	Winger	Mark Nawaqanitawase	Josh Addo-Carr
6	Five-Eighth	Daly Cherry-Evans	Jonah Pezet
7	Halfback	Sam Walker	Mitchell Moses (c)
8	Prop	Naufahu Whyte	J'maine Hopgood
9	Hooker	Benaiah Ioelu	Ryley Smith
10	Prop	Lindsay Collins	Junior Paulo
11	2nd Row	Angus Crichton	Jack Williams
12	2nd Row	Nat Butcher	Kitione Kautoga
13	Lock	Blake Steep	Jack De Belin
14	Interchange	Connor Watson	Dylan Walker
15	Interchange	Siua Wong	Sam Tuivaiti
16	Interchange	Spencer Leniu	Matt Doorey
17	Interchange	Egan Butcher	Tallyn Da Silva