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

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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 Eels NRL
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.

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.PosSydney RoostersParramatta Eels
1FullbackJames Tedesco (c)Isaiah Iongi
2WingerTommy TalauBailey Simonsson
3CentreBilly SmithWill Penisini
4CentreFetalaiga PaugaSean Russell
5WingerMark NawaqanitawaseJosh Addo-Carr
6Five-EighthDaly Cherry-EvansJonah Pezet
7HalfbackSam WalkerMitchell Moses (c)
8PropNaufahu WhyteJ'maine Hopgood
9HookerBenaiah IoeluRyley Smith
10PropLindsay CollinsJunior Paulo
112nd RowAngus CrichtonJack Williams
122nd RowNat ButcherKitione Kautoga
13LockBlake SteepJack De Belin
14InterchangeConnor WatsonDylan Walker
15InterchangeSiua WongSam Tuivaiti
16InterchangeSpencer LeniuMatt Doorey
17InterchangeEgan ButcherTallyn Da Silva

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