Penrith and Newcastle were two of the undefeated surprise packets in the first two weeks of the 2020 Telstra Premiership.
The Panthers upset the Roosters in round one and then came from behind to knock over the Dragons at Kogarah.
Under new coach Adam O'Brien, the Knights kicked off their finals campaign with a 20-0 victory over the Warriors and a thumping triumph over the Wests Tigers.
Match: Panthers v Knights
Round 3 -
home Team
Panthers
4th Position
away Team
Knights
3rd Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: Centre Brent Naden was omitted an hour before kick-off with Stephen Crichton (No.14) to start in his position. Along with Naden, Charlie Staines was dropped from the squad 60 minutes before the match. Matt Burton replaces Nathan Cleary (suspended, round five) in the halves, Kurt Capewell (quad) returns to the pack with Zane Tetevano shifting to the bench, James Fisher-Harris moving to prop and Isaah Yeo to lock. Liam Martin (leg injury) and Kaide Ellis were omitted 24 hours before kick-off, with Billy Burns promoted from the reserves to the bench. The Panthers have won seven of their past eight games against the Knights.
Knights: Boom centre Bradman Best (No.18) will start the match, with Gehamat Shibasaki joining Mason Lino as the two players left out an hour before the start of play. Lachlan Fitzgibbon was ruled out on Saturday, with Aidan Guerra to start in the second row. Pasami Saulo also dropped off the extended bench on Saturday. Connor Watson will start at hooker with Jayden Brailey injured and new signing Andrew McCullough not included in the squad. The Knights are aiming for a 3-0 start for the first time since 2015.
Debutant fullback Tex Hoy will assume the goal-kicking duties as well as suspended star Kalyn Ponga's No.1 jersey. "Tex will kick," O'Brien said on Friday. "He's done a really good job. He's been consistent, yeah the consistent strike of the ball. I'm confident in Tex doing that and so is he."
Match: Panthers v Knights
Round 3 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Caleb AekinsFullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh MansourWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean WhareCentre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Panthers is number 14 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Knights is number 18 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Knights is number 5 Hymel Hunt
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt Mann
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jarome LuaiHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 James TamouProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Knights is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Sione Mata'utia
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 17 Aidan Guerra
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Knights is number 16 Tim Glasby
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Zane TetevanoInterchange for Knights is number 13 Herman Ese'ese
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses LeotaInterchange for Knights is number 14 Chris Randall
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Mitch KennyInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Billy BurnsInterchange for Knights is number 19 Brodie Jones
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
