The Parramatta Eels have secured a 30-20 upset victory over the New Zealand Warriors in a match that was full of action and a side of controversy. The win comes on the back of tasting victory only once in their last 12 games.

 Friday, August 2 
 
 
Go Media Stadium
NZW   
20
FT
30
   PAR
   Crowd: 23,812

The Warriors welcomed back key players in Shaun Johnson, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, and Addin Fonua-Blake but could not inspire a victory in front of a sold-out home crowd.

The post-match notes will show that Parramatta's solid win may be overshadowed by a contentious moment involving Eels forward Joe Ofahengaue and Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Watene-Zelezniak accused Ofahengaue of a 'squirrel grip', leading the referee to put the incident on report after the winger's complaint.

Eels skipper Clint Gutherson praised his team's resilience and execution, highlighting a significant improvement in their play.

โ€œWe kept defending and defending, and they were the first ones to crack. The last few months we haven't taken opportunities. Tonight, 90 per cent of passes stuck,โ€ Gutherson noted.

โ€œIf we can play like that it's going to be a fun last five weeks.โ€

The mood was significantly darker in the Warriors' presser, with coach Andrew Webster showing deep frustration with his team's performance, notably with their errors and perceived lack of resilience.

โ€œIt's been all year, it's frustrating. We haven't shown our potential โ€ฆ it's just not good enough,โ€ Webster stated, his disappointment palpable.

โ€œI feel like we dropped our bundle.โ€

Despite the loss and the 'Wahs' current position on the premiership ladder, Webster is defiant about the Warriors' prospects for the remainder of the season.

โ€œFour games, four wins, see what happens. Bye to finish. We haven't made it easier but we won't be giving up,โ€ he asserted.