Eels

Parramatta won 26-20 after withstanding a second half Gold Coast fightback in which the home side scored two tries on the back of controversial captain's challenge calls and another while Eels prop Junior Paulo was in the sinbin.

The Eels led 20-0 at the 50th minute mark when Titans halfback Toby Sexton deliberately conceded a penalty to seek a captain's challenge, with referee Peter Gough warning: "If the challenge is unsuccessful you will go to the sin bin".

The likes of Moses, Clint Gutherson, Will Penisini and Reed Mahoney linked up to send Isaiah Papali’i over for the first try of the night.

Minutes later Moses kicked a “stunning” 40/20 and 19-year-old rookie Sean Russell slide over in the corner to extend Parramatta’s lead and potentially cement his spot in the Round 1 side.

The club was linked to Broncos’ goalkicking back Jamayne Isaako earlier this week as well as Broncos veteran Corey Oates.

Triple M’s Ben Dobbin reported on Wednesday that the Eels are “100 per cent” keen on Isaako and the Broncos “wouldn’t stand in his way.” All that needs to happen now is for a conversation between the two clubs to happen.

 Upon pocketing 2 points from a penalty kick and a second try scored by Joey Lussick brought the score for the Eels to 14.

Still hoping for a try, the Tigers managed to break through the Eels defense as Jacob Liddle scored their first try with conversion successful. Keeping the half time score at Eels 14, Tigers 6.

In the second half, Waqa Blake, through a ball contact off the Tiger’s hand, scored another try for the Eels, to lead on the scoreboard with 20 points to Tigers still trailing on 6 points.

The Eels announced Moses had re-signed with the club until at least the end of the 2024 season on Friday morning following weeks of speculation the 26-year-old was being chased by rival clubs.

Eels second-rower Ryan Matterson has also activated a 12-month contract extension to keep him in blue and gold for the 2022 NRL season.

"It's great news for the club and the two boys as well individually," Arthur said on Friday.

Of most concern is hooker Brandon Smith, who left the field late clutching his jaw, while five-eighth Ryley Jacks also went down with a hip injury.

The Storm could well be the first team to fall foul of a crusher tackle crackdown, with debutant half Cooper Johns and bench forward Albert Vete placed on report in the first half.

Utoikamanu, viewed as a potential star after impressing for NSW in the State of Origin under-20 clash last year, was the subject of a tug-of-war between Parramatta and the Tigers in the off-season with the joint-venture club trying to get him a year early after signing him for 2021.

He will make his long-awaited Telstra Premiership debut on Sunday and could be lining up against his future club in round 11 with Parramatta missing four middle forwards after a string of mid-season injuries.

The versatile 28-year-old will join the Eels next year after he rejected an offer from Newcastle Knights.

Ferguson has scored 10 tries in 16 NRL games for the Roosters this season and put his outstanding form down to improving his off-field discipline.

"I had a conversation with him about how important it is for us that we want the right people and good people at our club," Eels coach Brad Arthur told NRL.com.

Although the Rabbitohs share 22 competition points with the Dragons and Panthers, their commanding win gave them a far better points differential. So they will stay kings of the castle for at least 24 hours until Penrith play the Roosters.

Souths were superior in so many areas at ANZ Stadium, their victory coming off the back of a magnificent night's work to winger Jennings, who spoiled his brother Michael's 250th NRL game, and a brace to fullback Alex Johnston.

It's the Eels ninth loss in eleven games and sees them remain at the bottom of the NRL ladder.

The Warriors led 12-2 at the break but the Eels looked like getting their season back on track when they scored twice to lead 14-12 midway throught the second half.

But they let the match slip just eight minutes later when Mitchell Moses misfielded an awkward Blake Green kick, allowing Warriors utility Jazz Tevaga to scoop up the ball and score.