Panthers
20
Match Complete
Roosters
14
| N. Cleary |  | 70 | ||
| V. Kikau |  | 69 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 64 | ||
| S. Crichton | | 62 | ||
| 57 |  | K. Flanagan | ||
| N. Cleary | | 47 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 28 | ||
| B. Naden | | 26 | ||
| 20 | | K. Flanagan | ||
| 19 | | S. Taukeiaho | ||
| 3 | | M. Aubusson | ||
| 2 | | K. Flanagan |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 1 of the NRL season continues this Saturday night as the Penrith Panthers take on the reigning premiers the Sydney Roosters at Panthers Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:35pm (AEDT).
Panthers fans had every right last year to be disappointed as their much fancied team finished tenth. Injuries again bit hard but they just didn’t click as well as hoped. There is perhaps less expectation in 2020 after the departure of James Maloney but this still young team will be looking to make their mark.
They have bolstered their pack through the acquisitions of Zane Tetevano and Api Koroisau, with high hopes also for a fully fit Viliame Kikau.
Nathan Cleary takes on a lot more responsibility with Jarome Luai more likely to come in and out of the game when opportunities arise. Brian To’o made an immediate impact last year for the Panthers and fans will be hoping for more of the same.
No Cooper Cronk, no Latrell Mitchell and no Boyd Cordner this week for the Roosters. Will they be the same team? The pressure is firmly on Kyle Flanagan trying to guide this team around the park.
They are a little short in the backs, hence the play for Josh Morris. However, a back line featuring James Tedesco, Joseph Manu and Daniel Tupou is still up there with the best in the league.
Their pack is probably best known for hard work rather than superstars but Victor Radley is going to be just that. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is the leader of a forward back that just doesn’t get beaten.
Prediction
It’s Round 1 at the foot of the mountains and Ivan Cleary’s men will figure they have a good shot at the Roosters, without three key members of their premiership team, early in the season.
But this is where Trent Robinson is so good. He will have his team focused on getting the little things right like completed sets and kick chase. The Roosters’ attention to detail is the best in the comp and that will win them this Round 1 clash.
Sydney Roosters by four.
Game information
When: 7:35pm (AEDT)
Where: Panthers Stadium
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo, Live Pass
Betting: Penrith Panthers: $2.74, Sydney Roosters: $1.44
Penrith Panthers
1. Caleb Aekins 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Brent Naden 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Zane Tetevano 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14. Stephen Crichton 15. James Fisher-Harris 16. Moses Leota 17. Jack Hetherington
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Angus Crichton 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley. Interchange:14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins
David Holden
Roar Guru
Depends who is available for the time slot. I’m sure there is always room for more so get in touch with the editors if you want to have a crack.
Walter White
Guest
Does the Roar not do a live blog of all the games now ?
Nick Symonds
Guest
It could also happen both inside and outside Melbourne in the AFL. Super Rugby was already looking green around the gills. There are a number of A-League teams who have ownership issues. - It seems to be everyone all at once and that's before TV versus streaming comes into it.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Maybe in the end this is how Sydney clubs will be culled, one random act of nature
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Josh Reynolds holds down his 8 metre charge down no challenge ! Lol
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
From what a bloke told me the other day, I think the challenge can only be used if there is to be a structured restart of play like a penalty, scrum or dropout for example. You can't use it if the ref calls play on, or for a asserted forward pass as an example. Pretty limited really.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Excellent game.. Panthers showed some real steel in a really hard fought win. Api is a really great addition to this team he always delivers.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Thanks David. Good job.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the call tonight. Enjoy your Sunday
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT, After being 12-0 down early in the match, the Penrith Panthers have made a great comeback to beat the defending premiers 20-14 tonight. The Roosters were clinical in the first half but the Panthers dominated the second half through Koroisau and Cleary, who clearly outplayed his opposite number. Luai wa strong whilst the likes of Kikau and Yeo had big games. For the Roosters, their first round record is not that great but the manner of their defeat will worry Trent Robinson. After the Roosters fast start, they then only scored 2 points to the Panthers' 20 points
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Excellent result for the man on the Street.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks a lot for your call, David; really value it as there is no FTA coverage here, so I "watch" it through your words. Congratulations Panthers - doubt many will have predicted that result. If the competition goes ahead, it looks to be a whole lot closer than last year.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I don't think Ivans solved his fullback problem...both of them were very good. I like the look of Crighton though, he looks like a player of the future.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Hollywood! Geez he's a blast from the past
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Nice. :). Well done David. Cheers
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Did I hear that right? The captain’s challenge cannot be used to check offside on a field goal attempt? Okay, so now the NRL aren’t even trying to hide their blatant disregard for enforcing the rules. Awesome.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Panthers were good tonight...very good! Koroisau was outstanding, just what they needed from dummy half. Their game today looked miles ahead of last year. Amazing effort to knock off the premiers in the first round!
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME PENRITH PANTHERS 20 HAVE BEATEN THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS 14
JohnnyRipe
Guest
Lets go back through history and see how many premierships were gifted to the silver tails via Hollywood back in the day . Keep ya bitterness in the draw with the mothballs.
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Tupou leaps and gathers the ball. Morris threatens to break the line. Tupou is only 30m out. Tedesco's kick has finished with Crichton and that is full time Panthers 20 Roosters 14