Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 14 clash between the Wests Tigers and the Penrith Panthers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers Vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Date: Sunday, June 8, 4:05 pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Latu Fainu 15. Jack Bird 16. Kit Laulilii 17. Charlie Murray 18. Luke Laulilii 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden 22. Elie El-Zakhem
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Daine Laurie 18. Brad Schneider 19. Isaiah Papali’i 20. Trent Toelau 21. Luke Garner 22. Paul Alamoti
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Bunker: Adam Gee
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Tigers almost pulled off a miraculous comeback in Townsville last weekend. Early in the game, the Tigers showed poor discipline with halfback Jarome Luai getting sent to the sin bin for slowing down the play the ball one too many times. The Cowboys jumped out to a 14-point lead before the Tigers scored their first try. At the end of the first half, Adam Doeuihi would be sent to the sin bin for taking out John Bateman while he was chasing a kick. The Cowboys ran in three tries while they had the one-man advantage.
To the Tigers’ credit, they fought their way back and found themselves only four points behind with three minutes left in the game, attacking the Cowboys’ left side. Starford To’a and Jahream Bula scored tries, while an attacking raid from the kick-off saw the Tigers score through Heath Mason. However, there wasn’t enough time for them to get the win.
Latu Fainu makes his return from a thumb injury, coming from the bench. Jeral Skelton has been named on the wing, making a return from a hamstring injury. Alex Twal is out with a concussion. Alex Seyfarth has been named at lock. Kit Laulilii has been named on the bench for his first game of the season. Charlie Murray makes his NRL debut from the bench. Brent Naden and Charlie Staines have been named as reserves.
The Panthers had a hard-fought victory over the Eels. Conceding the first try, the Panthers bounced back with a try to centre Casey McLean to go into half-time with a 6-4 lead. The Eels were the first to score after the break, with a spectacular putdown by Josh Addo-Carr. McLean had a hand in the Panthers’ second try, putting in a deft grubber for Tom Jenkins to score. Brian To’o sealed the win for his side, scoring off a Dylan Edwards cut-out pass.
Ivan Cleary has named the same 17 for this match with the Tigers. Isaiah Papali’i and Luke Garner have been named as reserves after being out with a knee injury and a concussion respectively.
It is a big game for Luai, taking on his former teammate and halves partner Nathan Cleary. Luai will be up for the challenge, but so will Cleary. Blaize Talagi and Cleary have started to click over the last few weeks, which will have the competition on notice. Luai and Mason haven’t had much time together, but they showed glimpses of what could be a good combination against the Cowboys. Cleary and Talagi should have their number, though.
The forward battle is mouth-watering for fans. Terrell May has been one of the top performers in the competition and the Panthers will have a tough job stopping him. However, with a forward pack featuring names like Leota, Martin, and Yeo, they will be up to the challenge.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 12 points.
Check out our round 14 predictions here.
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