Parramatta’s defence not up to NRL premiership-winning standard
Parramatta’s leaky defence has cast doubt over the Eels’ ability to win the NRL premiership.
NRL
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Parramatta coach Brad Arthur says the Eels can forget about challenging Penrith and Melbourne for the NRL premiership if they don’t fix their defence.
A week after ending the Panthers’ unbeaten start to the season, the Eels’ status as genuine premiership contenders again slipped with a 31-24 loss to the Sydney Roosters in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
Parramatta has conceded more points – 213 – than any other team in the top eight.
While Arthur praised his side for fighting back against the Roosters to a make a game of Sunday afternoon’s contest after trailing 25-6 early in the second half, he said the Eels’ defence was “just not good enough” to win a premiership.
“The two elite teams at the moment (Penrith and Melbourne), they start well and they do the same every week,” the Eels mentor said.
“That’s not conditional. They go after it every week physically and without question and we don’t at the moment.
“Against good teams, if you give them that much of a start in terms of the scoreboard it is very hard to peg back.”
“Our defence is not at the standard it needs to be at if we want to be serious about what we are doing.
“(If) you score 24 points, it should be enough to win a game of footy.”
Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson echoed his coach’s sentiments.
“You can’t give a quality team like the Roosters that many points to kickstart their game,” Gutherson said.
“We are just disappointed in how we started that game.”
The Eels host traditional rivals Manly – who suffered a crushing 38-0 Magic Round loss to the Broncos – on Friday night at CommBank Stadium.
Star fullback Tom Trbojevic is set to play for Manly despite fitness concerns against the Broncos.
Originally published as Parramatta’s defence not up to NRL premiership-winning standard
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