Jem Nash previews this Round 16 match between the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs Sydney Roosters
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
Date: Friday July 1, 7:55pm AEST
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesPanthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Matthew Eisenhuth 20. Chris Smith 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Sean O’Sullivan
The Panthers are unchanged from their last start win over the Warriors. All seven of the Panthers Origin players have been named to play.
Embed from Getty ImagesRoosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taaukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Nat Butcher 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Adam Keighran 21. Terrell May 22. Lachlan Lam
Luke Keary is still out due to concussion so Sam Walker slots in at halfback with Drew Hutchison named at five-eighth. Victory Radley returns to the starting side, returning from an ankle injury, with Nat Butcher pushing back to the bench and Daniel Suluka-Fifita to the reserves.
Referee: Gerard Sutton
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Just over one month since the Panthers produced a strong 32-12 win over the Roosters, the two sides meet again as the Roosters look to keep in touch with the top eight while the defending premiers are hoping they can keep their two game buffer on top of the table.
In an ominous sign for the Roosters, Nathan Cleary was back to his majestic best in the Blues big win over the Maroons in game two of Origin Sunday night. Allowed more time by the dominant Blues forward pack, his kicking game was pin point all night while also running in two tries of his own. James Tedesco was simply superb once again on Sunday night, racking up 259 metres and 10 tackle breaks, and the Roosters will be relying heavily on their skipper for a win in this clash.
One of the more underrated battles to keep an eye on in this one is in the centres between Joseph Manu and Izack Tago. Manu was absolutely devastating with ball in hand for New Zealand last weekend has he produced a mammoth 401 run metres to go along with seven tackle breaks and a line break. He comes up against an up and coming star in Tago, who has developed a lethal combination with Taylan May on Penrith’s left edge. Both teams like to get the ball in the hands of these attacking weapons and whoever comes out on top will play a big role in the result.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
The Panthers have won seven of their past 10 clashes against the Roosters, including the last five on the trot.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 12.
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