Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction | NRL 2024 | Regular Season
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Canberra Raiders look set to be punished for a lack of consistency throughout the year with a spot in the finals looking beyond them and a loss here against the reigning premiers would confirm their fate.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Saturday 24th August, 2024 - 6:00am / AUS - 3:00pm / US EST - 1:00am / US PST - Friday 23rd August, 2024 - 10:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be broadcast live in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League in Australia / This match will not be broadcast live in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
CANBERRA RAIDERS FORM: RAIDERS SUFFER SHAMBOLIC LOSS
In a game they arguably needed to win to keep their season alive, the Raiders turned in a wretched effort as they were hammered by North Queensland Cowboys last week. That was a third straight loss and they have conceded at least 42 points in each of their last two.
LAST FIVE: WWLLL
PENRITH PANTHERS FORM: PANTHERS SEE WINNING STREAK END
In what could have been a rehearsal for this season’s Grand Final, Penrith were edged in their top of the ladder clash with Melbourne Storm. That first defeat in six effectively ends their hopes of landing the minor Premiership.
LAST FIVE: WWWWL
CANBERRA RAIDERS TEAM NEWS: RAPANA RETURNS
Jordan Rapana is back from a head knock to take the fullback jersey with Kaeo Weekes moving to five-eighth. Ethan Strange is out of the side with a calf injury.
Starting 13: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. Emre Guler 16. Ata Mariota 17. Simi Sasagi Reserves: 18. Adam Cook 19. Zac Woolford 20. Trey Mooney 21. Jed Stuart 22. Corey Horsburgh
PENRITH PANTHERS TEAM NEWS: CLEARY SUFFERS SHOULDER INJURY
Nathan Cleary faces a race against time to overcome a shoulder injury to feature in the finals after going down with the issue last week. Brad Schneider comes into the halves in his absence while Luke Sommerton replaces the suspended Mitch Kenny at hooker.
Starting 13: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Daine Laurie 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Mavrik Geyer 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Jack Cole Reserves: 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Luke Garner 21. Luron Patea 22. Sunia Turuva
CANBERRA RAIDERS VS PENRITH PANTHERS PREDICTION
Canberra Raiders produced the kind of display that indicates that they have given up on the season. They have been woeful in defence in their past couple of games and things could worsen for them here as they take on reigning premiers Penrith Panthers. The visitors will be without talisman Nathan Cleary and on the back of a loss last week but that was their first in six and they should bounce back here.
CANBERRA RAIDERS VS PENRITH PANTHERS TIP: PENRITH PANTHERS TO WIN