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Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks: NRL live scores, blog

23rd July, 2022
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Penrith Panthers

20

Match Complete

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

10

80
PEN20 : 10CSS

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Roar Guru
23rd July, 2022
209
2612 Reads

Penrith Panthers

20

Match Complete

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

10

N. Cleary78
J. Luai77
N. Cleary42
D. Edwards40
N. Cleary40
N. Cleary35
I. Tago33
12N. Hynes
11M. Moylan
7C. Tracey

3
Tries
2
3
Conversions
1
1
Penalty Goals
0
0
Field Goals
0

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The Penrith Panthers are flying, can the top four hopefuls, the Cronulla Sharks be just the second team to beat them this year? Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEST.

The Panthers are just about unstoppable at the moment. Despite resting their seven Origin stars last week, and making a swathe of errors in a scrappy performance, they managed to get the win against the Tigers, taking their record to 16-1 for the season. But the real test is about to begin. How do their Origin players come back from a demoralising series loss? They are sitting pretty at the top of the ladder, but momentum is going to really start to count now and they don’t need to start losing games.

The Sharks have virtually set up camp in the top four all year. But their isn’t a greater test in the NRL right now then going to Penrith. They managed a good win in Townsville last week against a depleted Cowboys outfit, but they need to improve again if they are going to beat the Panthers.

The Panthers are back at full strength in this one. All seven of their Origin players take their usual positions. Spencer Leniu was dumped from the side last week, and will once again play in NSW cup. Matt Eisenhuth takes his spot on the bench. The Sharks welcome back Siosifa Talakai in the centres. He pushes Connor Tracey out to the wing to replace Sione Katoa, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Briton Nikora returns from suspension, pushing Teig Wilton to the bench and Jesse Colquhoun to the reserves.

There has been some streaky runs of form between these two teams. The Sharks won seven in a row against the Panthers between 2016 and 2019. The Panthers responded with four straight wins of their own. The Sharks were one of just a few teams to beat the Panthers in the regular season last year, overcoming their Origin affected side to win 19-18, courtesy of a Shaun Johnson field goal. The Sharks last win in Penrith was back in 2018.

Prediction

You can’t not tip Penrith at home in 2022. But this is where the season really starts for the Panthers. It is all well and good to win up until this point, and it sets them up for another premiership tilt. However it is the momentum you build going into the finals, and the way representative players handle the Origin hangover that makes all the difference.

The Sharks want the win, but a loss here isn’t the end of the world. They get an opportunity to gauge where they are at, and have nothing to lose. They are a smart football team. Nicho Hynes has steered them around nicely since this year, and it has allowed Matt Moylan to play some of his best football. They have hard men in the pack, and are willing to back their defence and give away set restarts when they have to.

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For the Panthers all eyes are on Nathan Cleary. Can he overcome an Origin series heartbreak and refocus on the Panthers campaign? You would have to say he will be highly motivated to put memories of a disappointing decider behind him with a solid performance for the Panthers.

Panthers by 10

Game information

Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Panthers $1.24, Sharks $4.10 – odds via PlayUp

Penrith

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Charlie Staines 19. Spencer Leniu 20. Chris Smith 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Sean O’Sullivan

Cronulla

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1. Will Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Aiden Tolman 20. Kade Dykes 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Matt Ikuvalu

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