Penrith Panthers
26
Match Complete
Sydney Roosters
18
| N. Cleary |  | 72 | ||
| A. Koroisau |  | 71 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 65 | ||
| I. Tago | | 64 | ||
| 54 | | S. Walker | ||
| 52 | | S. Verrills | ||
| 47 | | S. Walker | ||
| 46 | | S. Taukeiaho | ||
| N. Cleary | | 40 | ||
| V. Kikau | | 39 | ||
| 28 | | S. Walker | ||
| 26 | | S. Walker | ||
| N. Cleary | | 13 | ||
| B. To'o | | 11 | ||
| N. Cleary |  | 7 |
| 4 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 16 of the NRL Premiership continues tonight when the Penrith Panthers take on the Sydney Roosters at BlueBet Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.55pm AEST.
At the start of the season, many saw the Roosters as the big improvers in 2022, perhaps even the Premiers. More than half way through the season though, their spot in the 8 is not yet ensured. They sit two points outside the 8. Another loss here makes their task a bit harder.
So far, the Panthers have navigated the Origin period successfully. Last start, before the rep round, they dismantled the Warriors 40-6.
The blueprint of the Panthers is always the same. Kick well, defend stoutly and wait for the cracks in the opposition to appear. Penrith are like a machine. It is only very rarely that they put in a sub par effort.
Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Api Koroisau have all been named to back up from Origin II. Sean O’Sullivan, Matt Eisenhuth and Chris Smith have all been named in the extended squad, should Ivan Cleary decide to rest some of his stars. Fijian youngster Sunia Turuva, who was brilliant at fullback last weekend, has also been named in the reserves.
Granted, their draw has been tough, but the Roosters are coming off 3 straight losses. It would be many a season since the tri-colours lost 4 in a row, but that is exactly what they are staring at here.
The Roosters pack in recent weeks has been hampered by injury and Origin selection. Doubts still exist also over the halves combination. Sam Walker can be brilliant at times but he can also make crucial mistakes. Perhaps more experience will bring that consistency.
James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Angus Crichton and Lindsay Collins have all been named to play. Luke Keary is being rested given his concussion issues with Drew Hutchison moving into the halves. In a big inclusion, Victor Radley returns at lock, pushing Nat Butcher to the bench and Daniel Suluka-Fifita to the reserves.
Prediction
James Tedesco was everywhere last Sunday night. He will need a similar performance against the Panthers if his team are any chance of an upset.
BlueBet Stadium has been the graveyard for away teams in recent years and I can’t see that changing tonight.
Panthers by 12
Game information
Kick-off: 7:55pm AEST
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Odds: Panthers $1.14, Roosters $5.75 – 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. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Chris Smith 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Sean O’Sullivan
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Nat Butcher 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Adam Keighran 21. Terrell May 22. Lachlan Lam
Brendan
Guest
Think his dirty reputation probably made you think the worst.
Johnny
Guest
Looks like that comment cut you.
Fred
Guest
The refs certainly got them out of this one.
Antonio
Guest
Well done ref, that was was tough one to reign in but you managed to get the panthers home.
Barry
Guest
The men in the middle help Penrith out of a lot of games.
Sharife24
Roar Rookie
Steveng, give it a rest with the Penrith bashing. I've never commented here before but just had to after getting sick of your sulking for the past 18months. Just get over mate, Penrith are a better team than Souths, it's not the end of the world.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Maybe , but this team is in the top six Rl teams in the country. Four Origin players plus Manu ( definitely Origin standard) plus Radley ( very close to the mark ). Now they need a couple more forwards (hence the Lodge signing ) but theyare a very good side.
steveng
Roar Rookie
With allot of help from your mates in the middle, that was a Sutton victory not a Panthers victory.
Agree, they played so well tonight!
JennyFromPenny
Guest
I'd say yes, even though the Manu at 6 was probably just a pass mark. He was rarely outside Walker in the back line, so positionally poor. To Roosters credit, they came close to beating #1 by virtually playing no 5/8, and three Centres.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Cheers Eagle. Luai so often cops it from other fans, probably for reasons other than football. Nice one from a neutral.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Thanks Dave. Well done to 10/17 Blues backing up from 5 nights ago. Back on the same side in a week and a half. Play well Blue Panthers & Blue Chooks. Panthers definitely beatable when the other team is on. They do just know how to win tough though. Not the chocolate soldiers anymore.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah I’m not a fan of all of Luai’s niggle/banter, but when I saw you’d said he spat I had to check it out. It’s probably the worst thing somebody could do. Thankfully I’m pretty sure he was just giving Walker lip.
R N
Roar Rookie
Robbo not happy in the presser!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Big effort from the roosters, but I think the quality of players they’ve lost over the last few years is starting to show. The guys coming in are very good but they’re replacing some all timers from the 18/19 era Some of the guys still in the team from that era aren’t quite the players they were
Id say yes. Too much class, and firepower to rule them out.
varun sharma
Roar Rookie
Roosters making finals?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
play nice...
MarkD
Guest
Feel for Teddy when asking what a penalty was for , only to be asked 'do you want to challenge' by the ref. Teddy asks again what the penalty was that he could challenge, only to be told 'it was a ruck infringement' by ref Teddy responds again' but what infringement'. 'Sorry you took to long to challenge' says ref :crying: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :crying:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
The way Teddy was going on he's lucky he didn't end up in the bin