The Penrith Panthers have played the role of party-spoilers in this year’s Return to Redfern clash. It was an extremely scrappy affair – no doubt due to a combination of early-season rustiness from the players and the atrocious conditions in which the game was played.
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Final score
South Sydney Rabbitohs 8
Penrith Panthers 28
The South Sydney Rabbitohs return to their spiritual home Redfern Oval, hosting the Penrith Panthers in week two of NRL trials on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 6pm AEDT.
While both sides have named many regular starters, don’t expect most of the big-name players to get much game time. Plenty of less experienced players have been named too – mostly on the bench. The young guns will want to make the most of their chance to impress incoming coaches Wayne Bennett and Ivan Cleary.
For the Rabbitohs, expect both Alex Johnston and Corey Allan to spend time at fullback as they battle it out for the right to deputize for Greg Inglis come State of Origin time. Johnston has done it before, but the Rabbitohs have big wraps on Allan too.
It’s also a big game for 2018 Intrust Super Premiership five-eighth of the year Connor Tracey, who’ll want to cement his status as next cab off the rank should one of Cody Walker or Adam Reynolds get injured during the season.
For the Panthers, Jarome Luai has impressed in his limited exposure to the NRL. He is a future star, and will want to make the most of a rare opportunity to play against top-line players.
Dylan Edwards too has a lot to play for. After injuring himself midway through 2018, stellar form from deputy Dallin Watene-Zelezniak saw him make the fullback role his own.
However a strong showing in this game from Edwards could force Watene-Zelezniak back to the wing, likely at the expense of his older brother Malaki.
Prediction
It’s always difficult to predict the outcome of trials. Teams like to use these games to try out different combinations and put players in different positions. As such the result is rarely an indication of who is actually the better team.
However, given the emotion surrounding this game – being the annual Return to Redfern as well as club legend John Sutton’s testimonial game – one would think that the Rabbitohs would have more desire to win this than the Panthers.
Rabbitohs by 10
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 6pm AEDT
Where: Redfern Oval
When: 6pm AEDT
TV: Fox League, Kayo Sports
Streaming: nrl.com
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Alex Johnston, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Jacob Gagan, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Connor Tracey, 8. Junior Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. John Sutton (c), 12. Sam Burgess, 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. Mark Nicholls, 15. Kyle Turner, 16. Liam Knight, 17. Rhys Kennedy, 18. Bayley Sironen, 19. Jack Johns, 20. Mawene Hiroti, 21. Dean Hawkins, 5. Cory Denniss, 9. Billy Brittain, 10. Tom Amone, 12. Tarquinn Alatipi-Butler
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Tyrell Fuimaono, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. James Maloney, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaah Yeo, 12. Viliame Kikau, 13. Hame Sele. Interchange: 3. Liam Coleman, 11. Matheson Johns, 14. Tyrone May, 15. Wayde Egan, 16. Tim Grant, 17. Kaide Ellis, 18. Caleb Aekins, 19. Tyrone Phillips, 20. Jed Cartwright, 20. Paea Pua, 21. Liam Martin, 23. Nick Lui-Toso, 27. Brent Naden, 28. Brian Too
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
He's a gun player. Of the players Paul McGregor used as his 4th bench player last year (rotated between Sele, Jacob Host, Blake Lawrie and a few others) I thought Sele was easily the best. He should get more regular game time at Penrith this year.
AE47
Roar Rookie
Oh Papi , even thou I luv ya I’m still gonna kick you in the gutz! Ok it’s only a trial but YOU LOST aaaaaaaa if lambs a kebab then Sutton’s a banana
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Full-Time The Penrith Panthers have played the role of party-spoilers in this year’s Return to Redfern clash. It was an extremely scrappy affair – no doubt due to a combination of early-season rustiness from the players and the atrocious conditions in which the game was played. Despite the negative result, South Sydney will take plenty out of this game, including the emergence of Dean Hawkins who was absolutely superb in a losing side. Hawkins showed plenty of composure and class at the back end of sets of six, forcing several drop-outs for his side. The Rabbitohs will also take confidence out of the fact that they looked dangerous when they had their top-line players on the field. Cody Walker and Damien Cook both played well in limited minutes, and Alex Johnston looks a more-than-capable replacement for Greg Inglis at the back should the big man go down injured at some point this year. For Penrith, Dylan Edwards has given coach Ivan Cleary plenty to think about with regards to the fullback position. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak made the position his own at the back end of last year, and captained New Zealand at fullback in the end-of-year test matches. However it may be better for team balance to reinstate Edwards as fullback and shift DWZ to the wing where he has played most of his career. Jarome Luai will also be giving Ivan Cleary some selection headaches when it comes to the halves. Obviously James Maloney and Nathan Cleary will be the first-choice pair. But if they fail to fire, coach Ivan has a readymade replacement in Luai waiting in the wings. It’s a very good position to be in. Finally for Penrith, Hame Sele has surely put his hand up for a bench spot. Having been in and out of first-grade for the last 2 years at St George Illawarra, Sele looks set for a bit of a break-out year with a big showing today. Every time he touched the ball he ran with gusto, and made no errors on a day where errors were aplenty. Too much shouldn’t be made of the scoreline of this game. Both sides used fringe players for the bulk of the game – the scoreline is not indicative of Penrith dominance, nor does it suggest a South Sydney form slump. The Panthers will no doubt be very happy to walk away from Redfern with the win. However, it’s safe to assume there will be plenty of ball-handling sessions at both Penrith and South Sydney training this week – neither Wayne Bennett nor Ivan Cleary will be happy with today’s error count. Rabbitohs – 8 Panthers – 28
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
80′ FULL-TIME siren sounds! The Panthers have spoiled John Sutton’s party with a 20 point win over the Rabbitohs! South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 28
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
80′ Sloppy play-the-ball by Penrith. Scrum-feed for the Rabbitohs with 15 seconds remaining. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 28
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
79′ Luai hooks the ball to the right of the uprights. Scores remain the same. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 28
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
77' TRY for Brent Naden! A poor start to this lad's game with a knock on with his first touch, but he's redeemed himself with a try in the corner, putting any doubts over the result to rest. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 28
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
76′ Rabbitohs knock on just 1 play later! Someone teach these boys how to catch! South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 24
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
76′ Panthers knock the ball on just short of the try-line. Rabbitohs are off the hook. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 24
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
74′ Panthers’ grubber results in a Souths knock on in front of their own posts. Penrith to feed the scrum. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 24
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
73′ Panthers knock on, Rabbitohs play advantage then knock on themselves. Panthers’ scrum-feed 40m out from their own line. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 24
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
71′ Corey Allan throws a pass intercepted by Tyrone Phillips. Panthers are off the hook again. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 24
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
71′ Brent Naden knocks on for Penrith with his first touch of the game. Rabbitohs’ ball in good 15m out from Panthers’ line. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 24
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good to hear. Shame the Dragons let him go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sounds like the Panthers are looking pretty good, although that injury to Kikau is a massive concern.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
69′ HUGE charge from Hame Sele off the kick-off. The Panthers’ new recruit has really impressed with some hard running in this game. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 24
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
69′ Cartwright converts his own try! South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 24
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
68′ Egan grubbers into the in-goal and Jed Cartwright grounds the ball millimeters from the dead-ball line. Should be the match-sealing try for Penrith. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 22
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
65′ Hiroti spills a bomb on his line. Panthers will get another set with a scrum-feed 10m out. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 18
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
63′ Hawkins with an incisive run, but throws a forward pass to Tatola. Panthers’ scrum-feed 40m out from their line. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 8 Penrith Panthers – 18