Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 7 clash between the Sydney Roosters and the Penrith Panthers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters Vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday April 19, 7:35pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Nat Butcher 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Chad Townsend 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Taylor Losalu
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 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. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Izack Tago 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Jack Cole
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
It’s not often that two of the previous season’s top four teams occupy places in the bottom four, but that is the situation facing the Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers ahead of Saturday night’s clash at Allianz Stadium.
Although the Roosters, who have a 2-4 record, were expected to struggle early in the season, the same can’t be said for the four-time premiers Penrith, who have lost five straight matches since their opening round victory.
When the two teams met just five weeks ago, it was the Roosters who pulled off an incredible upset when they won 38-32 at Commbank Stadium. Form lines are quite different now though.
Trent Robinson has made only one change to the team that stunned Brisbane last weekend, with Billy Smith suspended for a high shot midway through the first half. Mark Nawaqanitawase returns at left centre after two weeks out with a calf complaint. Victor Radley has also been named to start at lock after being swapped with Salesi Foketi late last week.
Ivan Cleary has started to make changes to his side following five successive defeats. Most notably is the return of hooker Mitch Kenny after he missed the loss to the Dolphins, with Luke Sommerton dropping to the reserves. Luke Garner has been named to start at centre and Lindsay Smith at prop, with Izack Tago and Isaiah Papali’i moving to the bench. Tom Jenkins and Casey McLean will also swap as centre and winger.
After weeks of poor handling and inability to close out matches, the Roosters fixed those issues to beat the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, with rookie halfback Hugo Savala and fill-in prop Nat Butcher starring. Against a desperate Panthers outfit, they’ll be keen to repeat the dose.
Form has deserted the Panthers to start 2025, with their once impenetrable defence leaking badly. Already they’ve conceded 170 points, the second-most in the competition, and their worst defensive performance in the opening six rounds since 2002.
The Roosters’ round 2 victory was their first against Penrith since 2019, having lost 10 in a row in that time, including both matches at Allianz Stadium. Although they’ve only played there twice this year, the Roosters have suffered their two worst losses at the ground, conceding 80 points and scoring only 26. The Panthers have won 15 of their past 20 away matches in New South Wales.
When the two teams met in round 2, the Roosters beat the Panthers by keeping the ball alive and making all their attacking kicks contestable. A similar game plan should be enough to beat the struggling premiers. However, a champion side will always bounce back. Their run of outs began against the Roosters and the Panthers will be hoping it ends against the Roosters.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 6 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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