The Penrith Panthers will be heavy underdogs tonight as they travel to Hunter Stadium to match up against the Newcastle Knights for their sixth game of the season. Join us on the Roar from 5.30pm AEST for live commentary and scores.
The Panthers were crushed last week by the Cowboys, and were held scoreless as North Queensland put 30 points on the board, with 24 coming in the first half.
Penrith enter Round 6 at 15th on the ladder, just keeping above last place with their win in the first round.
Newcastle also lost last week, but it was a much tighter affair against the Dragons, with the final difference being only three points (and the boot of Jamie Soward).
They’re currently sitting pretty in fourth place from their three wins, and it looks fairly certain they’ll pull out a positive result tonight.
Last time these two teams clashed was in Round 8 of the 2012 season, which the Knights won comfortably 34-14.
Eight different Novocastrians got on the scoresheet, including Wes Naiqama, who departed Newcastle after four seasons to play for Penrith.
Naiqama and three other ex-Newcastle players will certainly be motivated to show up in a big way against their old club.
There is certainly a large gap between these two teams – Penrith, who’ve allowed the most points in the NRL so far this season (140, an average of 28 per game) and Newcastle, whose star back Akuila Uate already has seven tries (half of the total Panthers’ this season).
However, a case can be made that this game could be closer than expected.
Newcastle captain Kurt Gidley and hooker Danny Buderus are both coming into the fixture under an injury cloud. Gidley played through a calf injury last week, while Buderus was a late scratch due to back soreness.
Coincidentally, both players were also injured last season in the game against the Panthers; Gidley dislocated his shoulder and required surgery.
If the unlikely is to happen, it will be more of a case of Newcastle losing the game, rather than Penrith doing enough to win it.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Uate played a fine match for Newcastle, and he was the only player on the park that really appeared to be dangerous. Luke Walsh of the Panthers also played well, although his bombs were often a little too deep. Thanks for joining us on the Roar, stay with us now for the Rabbitohs/Storm fixture!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights A low-scoring game ends with another home win for Newcastle, in a very unconvincing fashion. They'll stay near the top of the table, but too many games like that and they won't be there for long. Penrith were a bit unlucky to suffer so many injuries, and McManus' try in the first half was really against the run of play - the Panthers had all the field position, but were unable to put points away when it mattered.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
80' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Not really Simmons fault there, nobody came across to help him! The whistle blows, a win to Newcastle!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
80' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights In the final minute, and Newcastle kick it deep via Mllen, Simmons recovers and Uate forces him out of bounds! Surely it's over now.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
79' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Walsh again kicks down into the Knights half, and Boyd brings it out to the 10 metre line. Just a minute to hold on for the Knights!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
79' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Mullen kicks down, and Humble recovers for Penrith. Only a couple of sets to go, it's time for the Panthers to pull out any tricks they might have!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
78' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Big head clash! Rochow is bandaged up, with blood all over his face. Mansour is now on the bench getting his ankle iced.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
78' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Walsh kicks another torpedo bomb, but Uate is up to the task. He's done really well against the bomb tonight, probably Newcastle's best player.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
77' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Mullen tries a grubber but its a touch too far. Now Segeyaro is down, but after a few deep breaths he'll be fine.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
76' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Manu tries to offload but his flick is gathered in by Rocho, showing Penrith are clearing getting desperate (as well they should!) Roars from the crowd now!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
75' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Uate almost creates a line break, but he's brought down after fighting for an extra 10 metres. Newcastle now with a kick towards Humble, who gathers for Penrith.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
74' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Simmons comes up from wing to take the ball for the Panthers in the middle of the field. Now that the Panthers are in it, they can't get down Newcastle's end!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
73' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights A poor 22 metre set ends with a Walsh kick, to Boyd, and Newcastle are on halfway now, only seven minutes left!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
72' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Mullen kicks toward the corner, and Humble is back to recover. Mansour can barely even move, but he's still out there for the Panthers.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
71' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Penrith brings it back out, now with a spring in their step from their first points in a number of hours of rugby, and they're a chance to win this one now! Boyd takes their kick and Newcastle are now with the ball.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
70' Penrith Panthers 6 – 8 Newcastle Knights Now we've got a game, with 10 minutes to go there's only 2 points in it! Walsh makes the conversion easily, right beneath the sticks.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
69' Penrith Panthers 4 – 8 Newcastle Knights Terrific torpedo by Walsh gives Boyd all sorts of trouble, and the ball popped up nicely for Manu who was following up. Video ref confirms, TRY!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
69' Penrith Panthers 0 – 8 Newcastle Knights Walsh puts up a bomb, dropped by Boyd and picked up by Manu for a PANTHERS TRY! I thought I'd never type that.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
68' Penrith Panthers 0 – 8 Newcastle Knights Mansour is up and walking again, and is struggling back into position. Panthers with the ball now, advancing past halfway.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
68' Penrith Panthers 0 – 8 Newcastle Knights Mansour is down and is in clear pain, getting worked on by the trainers now. Update on Robinson, he has a neck brace on and an ambulance may be called.