2019 NRL – Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Saturday 4th May, 06:00
Where is Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers taking place? McDonalds Park
What channel is Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers?
Canberra Raiders – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500013
Penrith Panthers – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500014
THE TEAM NEWS
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Head Coach: Ricky Stuart
Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Cotric, Croker, Leilua, Simonsson, Wighton, Williams, Papalii, Hodgson, Lui, J. Bateman, Whitehead, Sutton – Interchanges: Havili, Young, Soliola, Horsburgh – Reserves: Oldfield, Guler
Unavailable: Joe Tapine, Jordan Rapana
- Canberra were narrowly beaten by Manly in a brilliant contest last week as their four-match winning streak came to an end and will look to get back on track as they host Penrith in Wagga.
- Canberra winger Jordan Rapana suffered a rib cartilage injury last week but, despite the Raiders hoping he would be fit for this contest, he has been unable to sufficiently recover in time and has been replaced by Bailey Simonsson.
- Head coach Ricky Stuart has again opted to tweak his bench with Jack Murchie and Emre Guler not doing enough to retain their places last week so the Raiders will go with Hudson Young and Cory Horsburgh.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Head Coach: Ivan Cleary
Starting 13: Aekins, Mansour, D. Watene-Zelezniak, Blake, M. Watene-Zelezniak, Maloney, Cleary, Tamou, Egan, Grant, Kikau, Yeo, Fisher-Harris – Interchanges: Katoa, Martin, Leota, Campbell-Gillard – Reserves: Luai, Ellis
Unavailable: Tyrone May, Sam McKendry, Frank Winterstein, Dean Whare
- Penrith's poor start to the season continued as the Panthers were beaten by South Sydney to slip to a 2-5 record for the year and now face a tricky contest away from home as they bid to work their way up the ladder.
- In a boost for the Panthers, Sione Katoa will be free to play this week after he avoided a suspension for dropping onto Dane Gagai with his knees and that means Ivan Cleary can go with the same 17 as last week.
- That means Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will continue in the unfamiliar centre role he was tasked with last week and Caleb Aekins retains the fullback spot with Dylan Edwards continuing to find himself on the outer.
THE PREDICTION
Canberra lost a competitive game with Manly last week but will hope to bounce back immediately here. They host a struggling Penrith side who lost again last week and the Panthers may find it difficult to break down the Raiders' solid defence which will see the home side win this one. Canberra are one of two teams to concede fewer than 100 points in the NRL so far this season and that has been a cornerstone of their success so far. The Panthers also possess the second worst attack in terms of points per game with an average of just 14.4, so all the signs are pointing to a Raiders victory.
