Eels brace for Foran face-off in NRL

Warriors five-eighth Kieran Foran will face off against his former teammates for the first time when the Eels visit Auckland on Sunday.

Kieran Foran of the Warriors

Warriors five-eighth Kieran Foran will face off against his former teammates for the first time. (AAP)

Parramatta players believe they have the defensive nous to snuff out the the threat of Kieran Foran when they meet the Warriors on Sunday.

The Eels will face Foran for the first time since his shock departure from the club midway through last season due to personal issues.

The 26-year-old made a successful return to the game in the Warriors' win last week, however the Eels reckon they can reduce his on-field impact.

"You get to know each other's traits when you play alongside someone else in the same team," Eels co-captain Beau Scott said on Thursday.

"It's always handy but he's going to be a handful.

"He's just a natural footballer. He loves the game and when he's allowed back playing again, it didn't matter who it was for, I was happy for him."

Foran played just eight games in his lone season with the blue and gold last year but centre Brad Takairangi said it was enough to become familiar with his game.

Asked if their experience alongside Foran would help at Mt Smart Stadium, he said: "I think so, just knowing his traits.

"But we can't worry just about one player, obviously he does straighten their attack up and he's a tough player.

"But hopefully we can hold onto the ball and do a good job against them."

Prop Suaia Matagi was also full of compliments for Foran.

"He showed what kind of player he is, doesn't matter how long he was off. He brought his A-game right from the beginning," Matagi said.

While Eels players were preparing for their rendezvous with a former teammate, they were reluctant to discuss the possibility of Mitchell Moses joining them mid-season.

Wests Tigers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed on Thursday the club had denied Moses' request on an immediate release to join the Eels.

Moses' impending arrival at Parramatta would be a huge boost for the Eels, who have lost three in a row after opening the season with consecutive wins.

"I haven't played against the Tigers when he was playing but I've seen what he can do and he's such a good player, very talented," Matagi said of Moses.

"I think it would be good having him to lead the boys around."


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Source: AAP


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