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Panthers vs Bulldogs: NRL live scores, blog

Roar Guru
3rd March, 2012
Teams

Penrith Panthers

1. Lachlan Coote
2. David Simmons
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Tighe
5. Michael Gordon
6. Travis Burns
7. Luke Walsh
8. Sam McKendry
9. Kevin Kingston
10. Tim Grant
11. Luke Lewis (c)
12. Cameron Ciraldo
13. Nathan Smith

Interchange

14. Dayne Weston
15. Chris Armit
16. Nafe Seluini
17. Clint Newton
18. Blake Austin
20. Danny Galea

Two to be omitted

Canterbury Bulldogs

1. Ben Barba
2. Steve Turner
3. Josh Morris
4. Jonathan Wright
5. Bryson Goodwin
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Michael Ennis (c)
10. Sam Kasiano
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Dene Halatau
13. David Stagg

Interchange

14. James Graham
15. Greg Eastwood
16. Corey Payne
17. Joel Romelo
19. Kris Keating
20. Martin Taupau

Two to be omitted

Kick-Off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: Centrebet Stadium
Referees: Jason Robinson, Phil Haines
Head to Head: Panthers 32, Bulldogs 46, draws 3
Last Time: Panthers 20-6 Bulldogs
Betting: $2 Panthers, $1.91 Bulldogs
TV: Fox Sports 2 (LIVE)
Roar Guru
3rd March, 2012
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5553 Reads

It’s been raining cats and dogs in western Sydney for the last week, so it’s fitting that the Penrith Panthers take on the Canterbury Bulldogs in this fascinating round one clash. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.

Six months after they faced off in the 2011 NRL grand final, Ivan Cleary and Des Hasler go head to head again – only this time, they’re both at the helm of completely different clubs.

Cleary’s appointment as Panthers coach was announced towards the back end of the 2011 season, and his arrival ushers in a new era for the club under the watchful eye of high-profile general manager Phil Gould.

Hasler, on the other hand, came to the Bulldogs during a tumultuous off-season in which he was ousted from the Sea Eagles just one month after guiding them to a memorable premiership.

Both men will be looking to make a statement in their opening hit-out, and it’s Hasler’s Bulldogs that will start favourites despite Penrith holding the home ground advantage and a head-to-head lead of 7-3 in these clubs’ last 10 encounters.

For Penrith, the majority of the headlines in the last few weeks have surrounded the battle for fullback between Michael Gordon and Lachlan Coote. Gordon’s versatility appears to have worked against him on this occasion, being named on the wing while Coote nabbed the No. 1 jersey.

Luke Lewis leads the Panthers out as captain following the departure of influential leader Petero Civoniceva. The Panthers also welcome three new recruits into their forward rotation in Cameron Ciraldo, Chris Armit and Clint Newton.

Meanwhile, Hasler has opted to play Josh Reynolds at five-eighth alongside Trent Hodkinson in the Bulldogs’ halves, ahead of expected pivot Kris Keating.

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Dene Halatau steps into the starting role vacated by back rower Andrew Ryan’s retirement, while much-lauded UK prop James Graham will be injected from the bench.

The conditions will be slippery so expect the fullbacks to be tested – both Lachlan Coote and Benny Barba struggled with confidence at times under the high ball in 2011.

Will it be Hasler or Cleary who gets the maiden win at their new club tonight? Join us from 7.30pm tonight for live score updates and debate on our live blog.

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