Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 2 clash between the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs Sydney Roosters
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday 14 March, 8:00pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner 18. Brad Schneider 19. Luron Patea 20. Liam Henry 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Blake Steep 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Ethan Roberts 20. Ethan King 21. Max McCathie 22. Billy Smith
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Grant Atkins
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The second Friday night game of round 2 kicks off at CommBank Stadium, where the Panthers take on the Roosters. The Roosters will be searching for redemption after an embarrassing loss last week against the Broncos, while the Panthers have had a week off to freshen up after their six-point win over the Sharks in Las Vegas.
For the Panthers, Brian To’o is a big inclusion on the wing as he returns from a hamstring injury. Paul Alamoti moves to centre, and Luke Garner reverts to the bench, with Luron Patea dropping to the reserves. Casey McLean has overcome a concussion suffered in round 1 and will take his place on the opposite wing.
Life after Jarome Luai started with a hard-fought win for the Panthers. It was yet another test for this four-time champion Panthers side and they rose to meet the challenge the Sharks provided in front of a global audience. Ominous signs for the Roosters who are still searching for their new identity. The key to their round 1 win was Nathan Cleary, who meticulously picked apart the Sharks’ defence with his vision and ability to execute the right plays at the right time. He’ll be in for another big game against the Roosters, who were exploited heavily by the likes of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt last week. The Panthers have won their last 10 games against the Roosters.
For the Roosters, Victor Radley has been ruled out after suffering a concussion in round 1. This sees Siua Wong move into the second row and Salesi Foketi promoted to the starting lock role. Makahesi Makatoa joins the bench in an otherwise unchanged line-up.
Conceding 50 points is not something any team wants to have on their resume, let alone doing it round 1 in front of your home fans. Not a good start to the year for the Roosters, who now face the toughest test in rugby league. If they’re going to come anywhere close to competing against this Panthers side, their defence simply has to be better. Their young forward pack was dominated by the Broncos stars last week; and with Radley missing this week, the likes of Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, and Naufahu Whyte will need to stand up in a big way to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen again. Easier said than done against a team that’s just won their fourth premiership in a row.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 30 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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