Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 20 clash between the Penrith Panthers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Date: Friday, July 18, 8pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Daine Laurie 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Jack Cole 19. Luke Sommerton 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Harrison Hassett 22. Preston Riki
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Jai Arrow 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Lewis Dodd 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Thomas Fletcher 20. Ryan Gray 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Ammaron Gudgeon
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Chris Butler
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Panthers get more reinforcements from their Origin representatives, with Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards returning in the backline, while Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo will have a rest this week after backing up in last week’s 22-point win over the Eels. Liam Martin remains out with a wrist injury, while Izack Tago will also miss this clash due to suspension.
There are multiple changes for the Rabbitohs this week, starting with Latrell Mitchell returning from Origin duties at fullback, with Alex Johnston shifting to the wing. Jack Wighton and Jamie Humphreys remain the preferred halves combination after Cody Walker was ruled out for the season, while Lewis Dodd is back in the top grade after being named on the bench. Isaiah Tass will start in the centres, with Campbell Graham out with injury, and Euan Aitken returns from injury in the back row. Siliva Havili has been named to start at hooker with Brandon Smith injured, and Peter Mamouzelos will come off the bench. Davvy Moale joins the Rabbitohs’ long list of injuries, with Sean Keppie earning a recall.
It has been a tough season for South Sydney in Wayne Bennett’s first season back at the helm, and they come into this clash on the back of six straight losses. What will give the Bunnies confidence is their 28-18 win over Penrith in their round 4 clash, but the Panthers have regained some of their best form after a slow start to the year and are currently riding a five-game win streak.
The Panthers’ defence across this win streak has been the key in their mid-season resurgence, having only conceded just over 11 points per game across their last five outings. On the other side, the Rabbitohs are allowing 33.5 points per contest in their six-game losing streak. Mitchell will have to step up in a big way if his side wants to overcome the Panthers. Sitting just two points clear of the bottom-placed Titans, every game counts as the Rabbitohs look to avoid the wooden spoon.
With a favourable draw coming up, the Panthers should be too strong in this one as they look to solidify their place inside the top eight and continue to get their premiership defence back on track.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 14 points.
Check out our round 20 predictions here.
What’s your prediction? Drop it in the comments below.
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