2020 NRL – St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Friday 20th March, 2020 – 07:00
Where is St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
What is the expected weather for St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers? 31c in sunny skies
What channel is St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Starting 13: Dufty, Pereira, Wiliame, Lafai, Lomax, Norman, Hunt, Graham, Luke, Vaughan, Frizell, Fuimaono, Lawrie – Interchanges: Merrin, Kerr, Brittain, Host – Reserves: Ford, Aitken
Unavailable: Jack de Belin (Disciplinary), Cameron McInnes (Injured), Korbin Sims (Injured), Mikaele Ravalawa (Injured), Tariq Sims (Suspended)
- St. George blew numerous good chances with the ball as they failed to build on a half-time lead which saw them succumb to defeat against Wests Tigers and they now face a tricky contest to try and earn their first win of the season as they host Penrith.
- The Dragons have shifted Zac Lomax to the wing with Matt Dufty returning from a cheekbone injury to line-up in the fullback role with the former filling in for the injured Mikaele Ravalawa.
- St. George will also be without Tariq Sims after he copped a one-match ban for a high shot on Josh Reynolds which sees Tyrell Fuimaono promoted to the run-on side and Jacob Host comes onto the bench.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Aekins, Mansour, Whare, Naden, To’o, Luai, Cleary, Tamou, Koroisau, Tetevano, Kikau, Yeo, Fisher-Harris – Interchanges: Crichton, Burns, Leota, Martin – Reserves: Burton, Kenny
Unavailable: Dylan Edwards (Injured), Kurt Capewell (Injured), Dean Blore (Injured), Shawn Blore (Injured), Spencer Leniu (Injured), Jack Hetherington (Suspended)
- Penrith produced a great come-from-behind victory as they opened their NRL season with a victory over reigning premiers Sydney Roosters and they will be confident of building on that as they head to St. George.
- Jack Hetherington has picked up a suspension for a high tackle in last week's game so Viliame Kikau will start for the Panthers and he will be looking for a repeat performance after he terrorised the Roosters’ right-edge.
- Billy Burns comes into the 17 in place of Hetherington while the Panthers will be hoping that Zane Tetevano can last longer than the 20 minutes he managed on his club debut last week after he suffered a knock to his knee.
THE PREDICTION
Penrith were poor in large parts but fought back from a 12-point deficit against Sydney Roosters as they toppled the premiers in round 1. They will now head to St. George to face a side that failed to take their chances last week and they will be under pressure to put that right or face piling the pressure on head coach Paul McGregor. However, the Panthers grew into last week’s game and can build on that win to inflict more pain on the Dragons here.
