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Match Preview

Panthers v Sharks: Leota ruled out; Talakai set to return

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pan66.com
Timestamp

After winning last weekend minus their Origin stars, the Panthers return home to BlueBet Stadium with their big guns back onboard as they hunt a ninth-straight win. 

With seven rounds of the regular season remaining Penrith find themselves eight points clear at the top of the ladder, while the Sharks have climbed to third after beating the Cowboys last up. 

Cronulla are riding a five-game winning streak and will be full of confidence, while Penrith should benefit from refreshing a number of their top line stars last weekend ahead. 

The last time they met in Round 14 last year it was Cronulla who came away with a late 19-18 victory, but prior to that the Panthers won the past four head-to-head clashes. 

Sportsbet Betting preview: Panthers v Sharks

The Rundown

Team news

Panthers: No changes on game day after Moses Leota dropped out of the side on Friday with Matt Eisenhuth moving to the run-on side and Spencer Leniu joining the bench. All seven of the Origin players rested last week are back and named to start, which means there’s no room for Lindsay Smith, Soni Luke, Kurt Falls or Robert Jennings. Sunia Turuva is 18th Man.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Siosifa Talakai is back in the centres after being a late withdrawal last week due to a shoulder injury picked up in the Origin decider. Connor Tracey shifts to the wing in place of Sione Katoa, who will miss the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery. Briton Nikora's return from suspension sees Teig Wilton revert to the bench. There were no late changes in the 24-hour update with Braydon Trindall set to feature as 18th Man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Taylan May
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Connor Tracey
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Panthers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Mitch Kenny
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Teig Wilton
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnes
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden   Hamlin-Uele
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Spencer Leniu
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 21 Sunia Turuva
    Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Braydon Trindall

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Key match-up

Nathan Cleary vs Nicho Hynes: The current Blues No.7 against the heir apparent who shadowed him in Origin camp this year. Cleary will no doubt be eyeing a big performance to shake off the disappointment of losing the Origin decider, while Hynes has led the Sharks to victories in his last four games. Cleary has 13 try assists in 12 appearances this year, while his opposite number this week leads the NRL in line break assists with 17.  

Stat Attack

So impressive has Penrith's attack been in 2022, last week's 18-16 victory over the Wests Tigers, minus most of their representative stars, was actually their equal-worst performance of the season in terms of points scored. The Panthers average an NRL-leading 29 points per game this year, but come up against a Sharks outfit who haven't leaked more than 16 points since the end of May. 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.