PREVIEW: Te Maire Martin set to be called up for Broncos game
It’s being reported that Te Maire Martin will make his National Rugby League debut for Penrith tonight when they face Brisbane at Pepper Stadium.
In a move which will be likened to the introduction of Ben Hunt at the Broncos, Anthony Griffin is set to play the twenty-year old at five-eighth in replacement of Tyrone Peachey.
Coach Griffin also have Andy Saunders and Zach Docker-Clay train with the main squad during the week in a sign that he’s prepared to make changes if necessary to kick start the Panthers season.
In a forced replacement, Dean Whare will be out for six weeks with a calf tear. This means a back line shuffle with Will Smith set to play fullback and Peta Hiku in the centres.
The availability of Matt Moylan and George Jennings is likely for the Panthers match against St George-Illawarra on Easter Sunday.
Penrith have been the best performing of the sides without a win and went within a minute of knocking off Canterbury last weekend.
Their opponents the Broncos have been dominant against Parramatta and New Zealand Warriors.
They will be without Corey Oates after injuring his shoulder in last week’s win at Suncorp Stadium. Greg Eden comes into the side
Former Panther James Roberts is yet to get off the mark in the try scoring department this season and will be looking for a big game against one of his former clubs. He’s found adapting to the Brisbane style of game a little more difficult but as every week goes by, expect Roberts to find his groove.
Wayne Bennett’s side will back themselves in defence, so the impending call-up of Te Maire Martin might just give the Panthers the edge to penetrate the wall.
The form of props Sam McKendry and Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been brilliant in the opening weeks. They need to continue to lead and create pressure on the Broncos defence.
While the Broncos will go in as favourites to win their third game of the season, Pepper Park is not a happy hunting place for the boys from the north.
Brisbane have not won at Penrith since 2009. In the last game between these two teams at Penrith it was a classic 35-34 win to the Panthers with Matt Moylan’s field goal the match winner in a high scoring affair.
Panthers: 1 Will Smith, 2 Joshua Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Peta Hiku, 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Tyrone Peachey, 7 Jamie Soward, 8 Sam Mckendry, 9 Peter Wallace, 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11 Bryce Cartwright, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14 Sitaleki Akauola, 15 Jeremy Latimore, 16 Suaia Matagi, 17 Elijah Taylor
Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd, 2 Greg Eden, 3 Jack Reed, 4 James Roberts, 5 Jordan Kahu, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Ben Hunt, 8 Josh McGuire, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Adam Blair, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Matt Gillett, 13 Corey Parker. Interchange: 14 Jarrod Wallace, 15 Sam Thaiday, 16 Joe Ofahengaue, 17 Kodi Nikorima
