Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction | 2026 NRL | Regular Season
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
One of the standout games of the round sees Penrith Panthers take on Cronulla Sharks in what should be a high-quality encounter.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Channel 9 / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – 9Now / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Penrith Panthers team news
Penrith Panthers remain without Liam Martin with the 29-year-old forward having failed to recover in time from a calf injury. Therefore, expect little change to the side who thrashed Brisbane last time out.
Squad: Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Paul Alamoti, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papali'i, Luke Garner, Isaah Yeo, Jack Cogger, Billy Phillips, Scott Sorensen, Kalani Going, Izack Tago, Freddy Lussick, Tom Ale, Jack Cole, Sione Fonua
Team lists for round two can be found here
Cronulla Sharks team news
Teig Wilton's shoulder injury keeps him out of contention, although he is slowly getting closer to a return, with Cronulla also likely to field the same team as last round.
Squad: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Samuel Stonestreet, Braydon Trindall, Nicholas Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Thomas Hazelton, Briton Nikora, Billy Burns, Jesse Colquhoun, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, Oregon Kaufusi, Braden Uele, Hohepa Puru, Chris Vea'ila, Jayden Berrell, Niwhai Puru, Michael Gabrael
Team lists for round two can be found here
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks prediction
Penrith Panthers made a real statement in the first round of fixtures, ‘nilling’ the defending champion Brisbane Broncos and underlining the fact that Nathan Cleary and his side are coming to take back what they feel in theirs after not winning the NRL title last season for the first time in five years. They played like a team on a mission and any outfit taking them on are in for a difficult assignment.
Cronulla Sharks were preliminary-finalists in 2025 and got the better of Gold Coast Titans in some style most recently, racking up 50 points in a resounding victory. However, scoring against this Panthers defence will prove a far tougher challenge. It’s unlikely that we’ll see a high scoring match and it would be no surprise if there was only one or two plays max between the two teams come the end. But with home advantage in their favour, consider backing Penrith to edge out the Sharks.
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks tip: Penrith Panthers to win
