Timana Tahu believes Parramatta face their toughest test of the NRL season when they play in-form Manly at Brookvale Oval on Monday.

After a slow start to the 2010 campaign that saw the Eels lose four of their first five games, Daniel Anderson's side have won their last three encounters and showed glimpses of the form that took them to last year's grand final.

However, Tahu acknowledged Manly, who produced one of the most eye-catching performances of the season in beating ladder leaders St George Illawarra 24-6 last Saturday, will be a side on a mission following the Eels' controversial round two win when the teams last met at Parramatta Stadium.

That day, the Jarryd Hayne-inspired Eels clawed back a 20-0 deficit to win 24-20 but the Sea Eagles were left fuming after two forward passes led to the winning try scored by Eric Grothe in the last minute.

"It is a great thing about the NRL, you get a second chance to play a team in a season and Manly will be looking at this game to get some revenge," Tahu said.

"Going to Brooky, which is a heavy ground with an intimidating crowd it is hard, especially with us coming off the bye it means the boys have to get their heads around the game and that is tough when you have had a week off."

After two years playing rugby union with NSW Waratahs and the Wallabies, Tahu is revelling in his return to the NRL and said Manly's win over the Dragons made the rest of the competition sit up and take notice.

Monday's game will also see Tahu go head-to-head with Jamie Lyon, who he rates as the best centre in the game.

"The competition is so hard ... St George are the best team going around and Manly have eight players backing up from rep footy 24 hours earlier but still go out and beat them," he said.

"Lyon is probably the best centre in the game at the moment.

"He's hot favourite to make the Origin side. I don't think he's got a worry.

"I'm just going to treat him like every other centre, I don't have different sights on for different centres, I give them all the same respect, it doesn't matter if it's their first game or they're playing their 200th game."

Parramatta veteran Nathan Hindmarsh has also been impressed with Manly's recent form and the displays of former Eels junior Trent Hodkinson.

"It is going to be a very big test for us because we haven't been playing the best football and Manly have been playing a lot better and more aggressive than us," said Hindmarsh.

"We've had a good run in the last few weeks and this game will show where we are when it comes to being a contender in this competition.

"I watched Trent play very well last week and defensively for a halfback he is good and I am pleased to see how well he has developed."

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