Penrith Panthers 20
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
A 14,068 strong crowd at Pepper Stadium, were on standby for the Panthers clash with the Rabbitohs braving the cold.
Fans of the home team were awarded for their support with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak the first to cross the line after a tough video referee decision.
Just ten minutes later, Bryce Cartwright and Peter Wallace came out with an outstanding play on the last tackle, helping Dean Whare over the line.
Bryce Cartwright continued to play strong football, both sides showed some glimpses of great attack but Penrith’s line defence was far too strong. Penrith went into half-time with an 8-0 lead.
Peter Wallace was the first to score in the second half after a well-placed Jamie Soward saw the Panthers extend their lead.
Waqa Blake was next over the line, with two feet in the air Penrith furthered their advance to 9th place on the table.
Joel Reddy crossed for Souths in a late Penrith scare but it was not enough with the Panthers winning 20-6.
The Penrith Panthers will look to continue their fine NRL form when they host the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Pepper Stadium. Join The Roar from 7.40pm (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Penrith are back in the winner’s circle after a win over the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval last week. Their team may not be fully fit, however they need to overcome this and target South Sydney’s collapsing defence for some easy runs and tries.
With no Greg Inglis to chase down anyone that makes it through the Rabbitohs’ line, Penrith may have been given a win by default. All they need to do is note this and take advantage, expect Waqa Blake and David Simmons to again create strong strides together with Bryce Cartwright down the right side.
South Sydney have fallen from grace. Their defence is weakening, their team is falling apart and the turnstiles aren’t clicking. The Rabbitohs are not the same. Souths need to get their season back on track. They have had an easy run so far and currently sit in fifth place, however the Rabbitohs’ team needs to work as a whole and continue to surprise with the overlap edge plays that won them a premiership in 2014.
In last week’s match against the Tigers, Peter Wallace went from strength to strength and was one of the Panthers’ best players. Wallace will this week square off with some of rugby league’s best young halves in Luke Keary and Adam Reynolds which could create a huge match-up.
The game will be won in the forwards with big match-ups such as Elijah Taylor versus Chris McQueen and George Burgess versus Nigel Plum, however the halves will help to contribute immensely to the winning team.
Ivan Cleary has named just one change to his side with Sika Manu joining an extended five-man bench. With Inglis out due to State of Origin, Alex Johnston shifts to fullback for the Rabbitohs with Joel Reddy moving onto the wing. Glenn Stewart starts in the back row, Chris McQueen shifts to lock and Ben Lowe comes off an extended seven-man bench alongside Jason Clark, Cameron McInnes and Daryl Millard.
Since 1998, Penrith and South Sydney have played 23 games against each others with the Panthers winning 12 and the Rabbitohs 11. Last time the two teams met was in Round 6 of 2014 when the Rabbitohs downed the Panthers 18-2. Penrith are currently sitting in 10th place and are coming off the back of a 35-12 victory over the Tigers. South Sydney are at fifth spot and are coming off the back of a win over Manly 20-8.
Prediction
Penrith looked strong, South Sydney are without Greg Inglis. Expect the Penrith forwards to step up again.
Panthers by six.
Join The Roar from 7.40pm (AEST) for live scores and debate in our live blog.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Stunned at the perfomance of the Panthers whereas the Rabbitohs were just stunned Bunnies. Take GI away and they seem to have no idea.
steveng
Roar Rookie
What you are saying is all 'well and good and to the point' but also Souths are lacking allot of commitment and intensiveness all around the park. If this Cody Walker is that good then why doesn’t Maguire give him a chance? I would have thought that during Reynolds injury spell (which was quite considerable) Maguire should have given him a go, why didn’t he? If anything Souths are lacking in their 3/4 and Keary is not the toughest or the most robust of 5/8 going around. And I agree with all that you have said that ‘Souths forwards are relatively soft’ and ‘the lack of their back line that is essentially non-functioning without the presence of Inglis’. That is why they are continually losing to the likes of the Panthers, Sharks, Tigers and the Eels, and forget about defeating teams like the Raiders, Cowboys, Broncos or the Storm. Last night’s performance was very evident to what your interpretation of what is wrong with Souths, it was very evident from the 10 minute mark that the Panthers wanted and had all the attributes to defeat Souths. There was nothing that Souths could do that would get them even near the Panthers. There is going to be some soul searching in the Rabbitohs camp if things continue the way that they are, especially when their next game Rd 19 is up against the Dragons, then Rd 20 they have the Knights, Rd 21 the Panthers again and Rd 22 the Sea Eagles which I don’t think that they will capitulate as easily as they did last time and Rd 23 the Cowboys which will be the start of the hardest of their draw against the Cowboys, Bulldogs, Broncos and then the Roosters to end it off.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! I'm not sure many truly realised just how totally vital Sam Burgess was to the performance of Souths last year . Not only his ability as a top shelf individual player but as the teams leader every week . Without him and to a lesser degree, without Greg Inglis, they offer very little to worry most of todays NRL teams. The Rabbitohs will by battling to maintain a spot in the 8 come seasons end even with good luck with injuries . 'The Panthers had them easily contained all over the park and the Panthers pack laid the platform for a comfortable victory. If the Panthers can arrest their poor injury toll of recent times, and have Moylan back by end of season, they can make a serious tilt at the title again.
Red & Green Eyed Monster
Guest
Time for Souths to face up to some realities beyond Maguire's weekly platitudes. Can Maguire coach the side to win against serious opposition, much less get them into the finals, without Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess, who in addition to their own contributions also attracted enough opposition attention to provide opportunities for their team-mates. Souths forwards are relatively soft without the hard-hitting defense of Burgess and T'eo but the more profound problem is their lack of scoring potential because of a back line that is essentially essentially non-functioning without the presence of Inglis. An additional irony for the Souths supporters as they contemplate the lack of ideas and fluidity in the back line is that Souths have on their books a player that has, after a delayed start, proved himself to be one of the best players in the NSW Cup, Cody Walker.. Coming into a North Sydney side coming dead last he has turned the side around not only with his ability to score tries from five-eight position but more so from his ability to create openings and deliver astute passes to set his backline alight. He was not voted best player in the Qld Cup 2013 by chance. His non-selection for Souths this year may be attributed to his off-field problems, although it has been reported that his NRL suspension has been lifted, or the fact that he is essentially a half/five-eight, meaning that he has to displace Reynolds or Keary, neither of whom are the most disappointing in the current team. The opportunity to play him during Reynolds' absences have been missed with a preference for pulling Sutton out of the pack, which needs all the help that it can get. Having watched him play several times for the Bears I am disappointed for myself and the other supporters not to have the chance to see him display his considerable talents in more illustrious company. With the Bears now climbing steadily up the ladder the staunch Norths fans are certainly delighted to retain his services.
steveng
Roar Rookie
There is no way that Souths even look close to going back to back in beating the bottom sides never mind back to back winning the GF. What a pathetic showing, Johnston is no way a fullback and he is just playing worst every week. Souths look very poor without the big man 'GI' and even with him some of the Souths backs and forwards have to pick up their intensity and mongrel. For Souths to be anywhere near beating the top sides in the finals or even making the 8, there has to be some very big and fundamental changes. Very disappointed and the Panthers were just more intense and just wanted to beat Souths.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Panthers too good across the park. If Souths are going back to back, they're going to need a big improvement on that showing.
Muzz
Guest
Lewis Brown hole perhaps
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Full-Time MAN OF THE MATCH: PETER WALLACE Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Full-Time Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 A 14,068 strong crowd at Pepper Stadium, were on standby for the Panthers clash with the Rabbitohs braving the cold. Fans of the home team were awarded for their support with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak the first to cross the line after a tough video referee decision. Just ten minutes later, Bryce Cartwright and Peter Wallace came out with an outstanding play on the last tackle, helping Dean Whare over the line. Bryce Cartwright continued to play strong football, both sides showed some glimpses of great attack but Penrith’s line defence was far too strong. Penrith went into half-time with an 8-0 lead. Peter Wallace was the first to score in the second half after a well-placed Jamie Soward saw the Panthers extend their lead. Waqa Blake was next over the line, with two feet in the air Penrith furthered their advance to 9th place on the table. Joel Reddy crossed for Souths in a late Penrith scare but it was not enough with the Panthers winning 20-6.
Alex
Guest
Just wondering who scored first try and what number they were
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Full-Time I'll be with you on Sunday from 3.50pm from Brookvale Oval when the Manly Sea Eagles take on the Cronulla Sharks in the battle of the beaches. Shane Jones will be calling Dragons vs Cowboys tomorrow night, Shane Jones will call Tigers vs Eels on Monday night. Full wrap to come. Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Full-Time The scrum is called but there is no need, the Penrith Panthers have defeated the Rabbitohs 20-6. Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
79' Penrith stop the Rabbitohs from attacking, they take the game. One last set! Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
78' Cartwright's kick bounces for Watene-Zelezniak, he is tackled and the Rabbitohs have the ball. Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
liam
Guest
Shot for the updates
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
77' South Sydney's kick-off goes short, Simmons is under the ball. Penalty to Penrith, the ball was stripped in the tackle. Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
PENALTY GOAL! Penalty to Penrith, marker not square. Panthers kick the penalty goal. Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
74' Can someone tell me why Maxwell had to go upstairs for that decision? That was a clear try, no need to go upstairs. Penrith get play back underway. Johnston knocks on and that's the game! Penrith Panthers 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL! Penrith Panthers 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Don't look down...