It might be a case of which team are less affected by their injuries and suspensions when the Penrith Panthers look to recover from a tumultuous week off the field at home against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
Following the Panthers’ 28-6 beatdown at the hands of the Melbourne Storm last week, they have dropped three players for “breaking team protocol”.
Captain Matt Moylan is among them, with Waqa Blake and Peta Hiku also joining him in NSW Cup for a week.
It doesn’t get much better for Penrith, with Tyrone Peachey joining a lengthening injury list, which includes Bryce Cartwright and James Fisher-Harris.
Just like that, Penrith will be without six of their top players for this clash. Exciting youngster Dylan Edwards will play fullback while Malakai Watene-Zelezniak joins brother Dallin on the right edge. Michael Oldfield is in on the wing, while Sitaleki Akauola is back on the bench.
South Sydney aren’t without problems, but they haven’t got mass changes this week, meaning they are already adjusting. Greg Inglis is the biggest out for the club, but given he has already missed a number of weeks, with Alex Johnston filling his spot.
Aaron Gray, Jack Gosiewski and Hymel Hunt are also on the shelf, while Robbie Farah has been named but is unlikely to play. The Rabbitohs welcome back George Burgess from suspension as well, although he has been named in jersey No.18 and may not play.
Penrith’s defeat in Melbourne last week sees their record at two victories and three losses, which is not good enough for a side rated premiership favourites coming into the season.
Their attack has struggled, with the exception of a 40-0 flogging of Newcastle, and their defence needs plenty of structural work before it can be considered finals worthy.
The Rabbitohs have the same record as Penrith, but sit a few spots behind on the ladder by virtue of for and against. The club have lost two straight coming into this match, following unconvincing wins against the Manly Sea Eagles and Newcastle Knights.
Their losses, against the Sydney Roosters and North Queensland Cowboys, saw a side who looked beaten from the opening whistle, with Adam Reynolds struggling to spark their attack.
Reynolds has shown us good things this season though and against a Panthers side with questionable defence, it could be enough for him to come to life.
Prediction
Penrith are struggling, but take six players out of their 17 and things aren’t looking good. This is must-win for the Rabbitohs, and Adam Reynolds should help them rise to the challenge.
Rabbitohs by 4.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 6 match from 7:50pm (AEST) and don’t forget to drop a comment in the section below.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Belated response here Scott, thought it was an excellent game. It ebbed and flowed and what a finish. Rabbitohs halves outstanding and that proved the difference. Also strong performances from S Burgess and Crichton established a solid platform. Farah clearly not 100% and shouldn't have played. Yeo was outstanding for Panthers whilst Cleary's kicking game was excellent.
Dufeyz
Guest
It wasn't a penalty in the first half when dallin was taken in the air defendng his line. Once again, the referees sucked. I don't understand their mindset. I don't understand how Souths managed to not give away a penalty at specific times in that second half. The referees didn't help, however Penrith still lost the game on their own. They didn't build any pressure on Souths until the 77th minute where a repeat set gave Oldfield a try. Perhaps if Panthers were doing that from the start they could have been well ahead. Incorrect decisions vs roosters, incorrect decisions vs storm and now again with Souths. It's going to turn eventually. I just don't know if it will turn this year...
JVGO
Guest
I thought Val Holmes had a bit of a shocker last week, let in 3 tries but at least he set up two. But that Burns kid had a total shocker. Didn't do a single thing right. Almost lost the game on his own. He must be mightily relieved.
Roget
Guest
Panthers are soft again, can't finish another year of under achievement
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Pretty good effort by the Panthers with so many players missing. Bunnies just a bit too good. Sam Burgess and Cody Walker were excellent for Souths.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Enjoy mate, you've got everything covered.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Burns should be made to have a bomb kicked at him for the rest of his playing career. The guy is hopeless under a bomb and has no idea!!!
doogs
Guest
Great game. Burns for Souths nearly single handedly gifted the game to Penrith. Felt sorry for the guy but he was woeful under the high ball. Just nowhere near it. He would be the most relieved guy after the field goal from Reynolds
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yup, Really not sure that was a penalty.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that'll do it on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NRL Season as the South Sydney Rabbitohs got the better of the Penrith Panthers. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be online from 1pm (AEST) tomorrow for our coverage of the Davis Cup. Bye for now
Zedman
Roar Rookie
The Latu penalty was the game breaker.
Nate
Guest
Entertaining game that one. High tempo with both teams willing to throw it around a bit. Glad the Bunnies came out on top although I think they should have iced it sooner.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Panthers look for a short restart, but the bat back goes over the sideline and that'll do us. No time to pack down the scrum and Adam Reynolds is the man of the day, slotting the field goal for the Rabbitohs third victory of the season. Great game of footy. Penrith Panthers 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs 21
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - FIELD GOAL RABBITOHS, ADAM REYNOLDS The Rabbitohs have 65 metres to go and an immediate shift left ends with Johnston who is taken. Sutton goes over halfway before Turner goes for a big carry through a yawning gap in the defence. Walker with a fantastic run, using his footwork to beat a few. Quick play the ball, defenders out on their feet and scrambling and Reynolds in position, slots it under little pressure. Perfect for Souths. Panthers 20 Rabbitohs 21
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - The Panthers bring it back from a long restart through Gillard before there is a shift left and Martin switches, finding Yeo who makes some metres. Merrin with a strong run back to the open side now and he is tackled ten shy of halfway. Back through the middle for Martin and then on for Whare who gets over halfway on the fourth. Yeo with a 15 metre run and on the last, Cleary puts the bomb up and it's a dangerous one. Latu has gone for the ball, but knocked Johnston out of the way. Penalty Rabbitohs. Panthers 20 Rabbitohs 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by NATHAN CLEARY Grandstand finish coming up! 3:01 on the clock. Panthers 20 Rabbitohs 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - TRY PANTHERS, MICHAEL OLDFIELD Oldfield and Merrin bring it through the centre of the park for Penrith before Martin looks to run, dummying and being tackled. Cleary now taken on the fifth before they look to run and they will score! That's a wonderful cut out ball from Te Maire Martin to Whare and he throws the last pass with a 2-on-1 to Oldfield and he crashes over in the corner! Cleary with a kick to tie it up. Panthers 18 Rabbitohs 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - Solid set for the Rabbitohs, but nothing special. Reynolds kicks from inside 40 and Edwards brings it back strongly. Panthers 14 Rabbitohs 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - The drop out is fielded 45 metres out by Oldfield who hands off for Gillard and he charges up. Left they come for Latu and he takes a run before a short ball almost puts Katoa through the line. Gillard with a second run and he is held centre of the field about 5 out before Cleary goes right, dummies and loses the ball in the tackle. Panthers 14 Rabbitohs 20