Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers: NRL live scores

Round 22 of the 2022 NRL season kicks off in Western Sydney as defending premiers Penrith Panthers host 2020 premiers Melbourne Storm. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm AEST.

Since 2020, both these teams have been the benchmark of the competition, dominating games for fun and winning a premiership each. The Panthers showed last week that despite losing halves Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary for an extended period, they are a well driven unit who have the ability to rattle opposition with relative ease. The onus once again falls on Dolphins bound Sean O’Sullivan to step up and provide a kicking masterclass to take Penrith home. Matt Eisenhuth has been named at prop with James Fisher-Harris serving a suspension while Viliame Kikau is an outside chance of playing, having been named on the reserves.

Despite the injury toll continuing to attempt to derail the Melbourne Storm’s hopes of a top four finish, they continue soldiering on. But, they will have to do it without superstar Jahrohme Hughes as he nurses an injury. Despite scoring a try on his return to the NRL, Young Tonumaipea will have to be content with carrying the drinks as the outside back makes way for Justin Olam who comes back from a bout of Covid-19. Nick Meaney comes back earlier than expected from a short stint on the sidelines, as Cameron Munster moves back to five eighth and Cooper Johns named at halfback. Felise Kaufusi will miss the clash for personal reasons.

Prediction

Each suburban ground has its own specialty on what it offers to the spectacle of the NRL. But there’s something else about Bluebet stadium that makes it so difficult for opposition teams to come away with a victory. The only other stadium which is as intimidating as Bluebet stadium in the world is Anfield – that’s how much of a fortress the Penrith players and fans have created at home. And despite the number of players the Panthers are missing, they still have enough class across the park to get the job done and effectively wrap up the minor premiership. Penrith by eight.

Game information

Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV: Fox League
Live stream: Kayo Sports
Odds: Canberra Raiders $2.35; Penrith Panthers $1.60 – odds via PlayUp

Teams

Canberra Raiders

1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matt Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joe Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange/Reserves: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Emre Guler 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Ata Mariota 20. Matt Frawley 21. Corey Horsburgh

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Moses Leota 9. Api Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange/Reserves: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Charlie Staines 18. Sunia Turuva 19. Matthew Eisenhuth 20. Chris Smith 21. Kurt Falls 22. Lindsay Smith