Neds Match Preview: Round 16
Wests Tigers will travel to the foot of the mountains this Saturday with their season on the line against the high-flying Penrith Panthers.
After going down to the Sydney Roosters last Saturday in a disappointing performance at Leichhardt Oval, Wests Tigers now face an even tougher test this week in their bid to keep their finals hopes alive — a clash against a top-of-the-table Panthers side looking to extend their winning run to 11 games in a row.
Having got the job done in a fiery clash between the two sides earlier this year, Penrith will head in to the game as firm favourites and full of confidence, having not lost at Panthers Stadium since a 30-18 defeat to Canberra in July last year.
Ivan Cleary's side will be missing some familiar faces, however, for Saturday's clash with Viliame Kikau (suspension) and Apisai Koroisau (injury) both sidelined. Their omission sees Moses Leota move in to the run-on side, James Fisher-Harris shift to lock and Isaah Yeo revert to an edge while Mitch Kenny starts at hooker.
NRL.com preview Panthers clash
Despite losing Josh Aloiai (family reasons) during the week, Wests Tigers are boosted by the inclusion of rising star Harry Grant, who is set for his first game back since picking up a knee injury in Round 12.
Grant's inclusion looms as an intriguing storyline for Michael Maguire's side, who remain just four points outside the top eight despite going down to the Roosters last weekend. With the eighth-placed Sharks taking on the Cowboys just before their clash against the Panthers, Wests Tigers will know the job that's ahead of them come kickoff and could potentially move to within two points with victory.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Saturday, August 29, 2020
Time — 7:35pm AEST
Venue — Panthers Stadium, Panthers
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via FOX League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, FM 104.9 Triple M
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, KAYO, NRL Digital Pass and Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Penrith Panthers — No changes to the side originally named during the week. Viliame Kikau (suspension) and Apisai Koroisau (knee) are out, with Moses Leota and Mitch Kenny moving in to the starting side. Brian To'o returns from an ankle injury, with Tyrone May dropping back to the bench and Daine Laurie to 18th Man.
Wests Tigers — Harry Grant returns from a knee injury at hooker with Jacob Liddle dropping to the bench and Josh Reynolds dropped. Josh Aloiai (family reasons) and Russell Packer are out, with Matt Eisenhuth and Thomas Mikaele moving in to the starting side. Shawn Blore and Sam McIntyre return on the bench.
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 16 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam Doueihi
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh MansourWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Brent NadenCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Joseph Leilua
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses Mbye
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy Talau
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Luke Brooks
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Benji Marshall
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 James TamouProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Thomas Mikaele
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Panthers is number 13 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Wests Tigers is number 14 Matthew Eisenhuth
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 14 Tyrone May2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
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Lock for Panthers is number 11 Isaah YeoLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 10 Moses LeotaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Elijah Taylor
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jacob Liddle
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Billy BurnsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Shawn Blore
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Zane TetevanoInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Sam McIntyre
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H — Penrith Panthers ($1.12), Wests Tigers ($6.25)
Line — Penrith Panthers (-15.5) $2.00, Wests Tigers (+15.5) $2.00
Odds correct as of 2:00pm, August 25. 18+ only. Gamble responsibly.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head — Played 35, Penrith Panthers 22, Wests Tigers 13
At Penrith Stadium — Played 17, Penrith Panthers 12, Wests Tigers 5
Last Time They Met — Penrith Panthers 19 def. Wests Tigers 12 (Rd.8, 2020)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referees — Ben Cummins
Touch Judges — David Munro and Matt Noyen
Review Officials — Ben Galea and Steve Clark
