2019 NRL – Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Friday 10th May, 09:00
Where is Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Suncorp Stadium
What channel is Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers?
Wests Tigers – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500023
Penrith Panthers – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500014
THE TEAM NEWS
WESTS TIGERS
Head Coach: Michael Maguire
Starting 13: Mbye, Fonua, Jennings, Marsters, Thompson, Marshall, Brooks, Matulino, Farah, Twal, Matterson, McQueen, Eisenhuth – Interchanges: Liddle, Mikaele, Clark, Garner – Reserves: Momirovski, Taylor, Chee-Kam, Packer
Unavailable: Chris Lawrence, Josh Reynolds, Josh Aloiai
- Wests Tigers did well in parts against Sydney Roosters but the floodgates opened once again as they conceded 42 points in a heavy loss with a poor defensive effort in the second half costing them any chance of staying in the game.
- Benji Marshall and Josh Reynolds were both hoping to be back in contention for the Tigers this week but it’s Marshall who has won his fitness battle and will play at five-eighth after a six-week absence.
- Ryan Matterson reverts to the back row after filling in at five-eighth last week whilst Matt Eisenhuth will start at lock for Josh Aloiai who misses out with concussion with Oliver Clark coming onto the bench to make his debut.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Head Coach: Ivan Cleary
Starting 13: Aekins, Mansour, Whare, Fuimaono, D. Watene-Zelezniak, Maloney, Cleary, Tamou, Egan, Campbell-Gillard, Winterstein, Fisher-Harris, Katoa – Interchanges: Luai, Ellis, Leota, Grant – Reserves: Edwards, Kikau
Unavailable: Tyrone May, Sam McKendry, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Hame Sele, Waqa Blake
- Penrith's miserable start to the season continued as they suffered a sixth loss in eight games as Canberra proved far too good for them and now face Wests in a crucial game as they bid to turn their form around.
- The Panthers were set to be without back rowers Isaah Yeo and Viliame Kikau for prolonged periods after suffering shoulder and leg injuries but Kikau has made a superhuman recovery and could feature this week having being named as a reserve.
- Liam Martin is suspended whilst Malakai Watene-Zelezniak and Hame Sele also picked up knocks and in a futher blow to the Panthers, Waqa Blake has been dropped for being late for training but Dean Whare and Frank Winterstein are able to return after overcoming injuries.
THE PREDICTION
Penrith have been woeful to begin this season and things got worse for them with the loss of several players this week but Viliame Kikau looks to have avoided serious injury whilst James Maloney beat the judiciary to take to the field but with plenty of upheaval to their side, Wests can claim the win. The Panthers are having to field a makeshift side and the late withdrawal of Waqa Blake for being late to training doesn’t help matters. The Tigers will be buoyed by the return of Benji Marshall and can do enough to earn the victory here.
