NRL 2021: Parramatta Eels beat Canberra Raiders 35-10 | Match Report

‘There were some happy putting on a NRL jumper and thinking they’re an NRL player. It’s hard to take. To say Ricky Stuart wasn’t happy with the Raiders would be an understatement.

Isaiah Papali'i ended the game with two tries to his name, giving the Eels a selection headache when Ryan Matterson is good to return. Picture: Getty Images.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart declared his side had “embarrassed themselves” after a second half collapse allowed Parramatta to run away with a rare victory at GIO Stadium.

The Raiders trailed 12-10 at halftime but completely fell apart, going down 35-10.

It was the Eels’ first win in Canberra since 2006.

“We had a massive crowd and every reason to make them proud of us and we embarrassed ourselves,” Stuart said.

“Not the (whole) team – individuals (let us down). Don’t put everyone in that category.

“There were individuals leaning on others…waiting for someone else to do it

“There were individuals happy putting on a NRL jumper and thinking they’re an NRL player.

“It’s hard to take.”

The last time Parramatta won in Canberra, Jason Taylor was Eels coach, Jarryd Hayne scored two tries and John Morris played five-eighth.

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Isaiah Papali'i ended the game with two tries to his name, giving the Eels a selection headache when Ryan Matterson is good to return. Picture: Getty Images.

Last night the Eels ended one of the NRL’s longest run of outs at an away venue with their first win at GIO Stadium since 2006, beating Canberra 35-10 in an impressive premiership flex.

The win ended a nine-game losing streak in the capital and is just the club’s fifth win in 23 visits.

Parramatta led from start to finish to record their fifth win from six starts, erasing the memory of a disappointing last-up effort against the Dragons.

Strike forward Isaiah Papali’i led the way, scoring two tries and terrorising the Canberra defence with every touch.

Halfback Mitchell Moses was just as brilliant, tormenting the home side with his kicking game and handling three times in the try that broke Canberra’s back midway through the second half.

He also added a late field goal to put an exclamation point on an excellent performance.

Mitchell Moses played his best game of the year, proving he has one of the best kicking games in the competition. Picture: Getty Images.

Eels coach Brad Arthur berated his team for not being switched on against St George Illawarra and they cleared heeded the message.

Parramatta was armed and ready for a Canberra ambush, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead.

The Raiders hit back via Jordan Rapana, the Canberra winger receiving a cut out pass from Jack Wighton and holding off Blake Ferguson to touch down one handed.

The Eels extended their advantage with a try to Maika Sivo on 15 minutes before a try Made in Britain kept the Raiders in touch.

Hooker Josh Hodgson darted out of dummy half and found countryman George Williams in support and not a blue and gold jumper in sight.

The Eels took a 12-10 advantage to the break and extended their advantage when Papali’i ‘s scored his second try shortly after the resumption.

But it was Shaun Lane’s try on 55 minutes that proved the difference.

Moses handled three times as the ball swung from right to left and back again across a 60m journey, with Lane finishing off an extraordinary movement.

In the mood they were in, the Eels were never going to lose from there.

“It was a good team effort,” coach Brad Arthur said.

“We chased the collision and we’re a better team when we do that.

“Last week we wanted to play pretty and fancy and we’re not that sort of team.”

After a poor effort against the Dragons in Round 5, the Eels forwards were dominant against the Raiders pack. Picture: Getty Images.

FLAT RAIDERS

Canberra were surprisingly flat despite what was at stake.

Before a big home crowd and up against a genuine premiership contender, the Green Machine played with a flat battery.

They failed to score a point in the second half while conceding 23 points in a poor defensive display.

On the back of a 20-point loss to Penrith, it’s evident Ricky Stuart has a job to do to get the Raiders back on track.

“Ricky’s got some problems,” Canberra legend Mal Meninga said.

Hodgson admitted: “We were a million miles off tonight.

“It was really disappointing. Both sides of the coin (defence and attack), we just weren’t there.”

The Raiders struggled in the second half, failing to score after the 24 minute mark. Picture: Getty Images.

RIP AND TEAR

Isaiah Papali’i cares little for reputations or self-preservation.

Wind him up and let him go.

The Eels forward ripped in from the get-go against Canberra’s celebrated pack, running over the top of Josh Papalii for the first try of the game.

Another typically forceful run from Papali’i led to a quick play-the-ball and Parramata’s second try to Maika Sivo.

Not bad for a bloke who started out as a relatively unheralded bench player.

“He’s one of the best signing this year,” former international Greg Alexander declared.

“He’s a stand-out with his hard running. He gets the job done every week.

“What a player.”

HE’S OUR NUMBER ONE

Ricky Stuart consulted his senior players before making a decision on a replacement for injured fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

To a man they declared Caleb Aekins was the player they wanted in the No.1 jumper while CNK recovers from his neck problem.

Aekins repaid the faith with a safe and composed display in his club debut, handling everything thrown at him.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Parramatta Eels beat Canberra Raiders 35-10 | Match Report