2019 NRL – Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks taking placae? Friday 9th August, 10:55
Where is Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks taking place? Panthers Stadium
What channel is Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks on?
UK – This match will not be televised live in the UK
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks?
UK – N/A
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks?
Penrith Panthers – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500014
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500028
THE TEAM NEWS
PENRITH PANTHERS
Head Coach: Ivan Cleary
Starting 13: Edwards, Mansour, Whare, Naden, To’o, Maloney, Cleary, Tamou, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, Martin, Yeo – Interchanges: Katoa, Leniu, Leota, Campbell-Gillard – Reserves: Winterstein, Cartwright, Crichton, Burton
Unavailable: Tyrone May, James Maloney, Jarome Luai, Wayde Egan
- Penrith suffered back-to-back defeats as they went down to Canterbury last week and that result has seen them drop out of the top 8 and now face a side that they are challenging for a spot in the finals in Cronulla.
- The Panthers will be without five-eighth James Maloney this week who was unsuccessful on his trip to the judiciary to fight a charge of tripping and although he is still named in the provisional side, it is expected that rookie Matt Burton will replace him.
- Another rookie in the form of Spencer Leniu is also named on the bench along with Sione Katoa whilst Viliame Kikau is back from a ban and will start in the back row but there is no place for Frank Winterstein who is dropped along with the injured Wayde Egan and Jarome Luai.
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Head Coach: John Morris
Starting 13: Dugan, Feki, Xerri, Morris, Mulitalo, Johnson, Townsend, Woods, J. Brailey, Prior, Nikora, Graham, Gallen – Interchanges: Capewell. Williams, Fifita, Hamlin-Uele – Reserves: Magoulias, B. Brailey, Katoa, Flanagan
Unavailable: Matt Moylan
- Cronulla made it successive wins as they forced their way back into the top 8 but will need to keep their winning run going here if they are to ensure they seal a spot in the finals with several teams hot on their heels.
- The Sharks looked like a different team with Wade Graham back in their side as he made a hugely successful return from injury but they have suffered a setback this week with the loss of Matt Moylan.
- The fullback has succumbed to the concussion protocol following a high tackle by Souths’ Sam Burgess last week which sees Josh Dugan revert to fullback and Josh Morris shift to centre whilst Sosaia Feki comes into the side on the wing.
THE PREDICTION
This is an important clash between two teams attempting to earn a spot in the top 8 but Cronulla come into this on the back of two wins whereas it is the opposite for Penrith. The home side are missing some talent in the halves too which the Sharks can take advantage of to claim a vital win. They looked like a side that can go a long way in the finals with their performance last week and if they can maintain that level of performance here, they should make it three wins in a row.
