2021 NRL – Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? Friday 7th May, 2021 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Where can I get tickets for Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Edwards, Staines, Crichton, Burton, To’o, Luai, Cleary, Leota, Koroisau, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, Capewell, Yeo – Interchanges: May, Leniu, Eisenhuth, Martin – Reserves: Sorensen, Hopgood, Jennings, Kenny
Unavailable: Paul Momirovski (Suspended)
- Penrith Panthers continued their 100% start to begin the season and while they were pushed all the way by a battling Manly Sea Eagles outfit last week, the Panthers’ outstanding defence proved to be the difference between the two teams.
- Despite allowing 16 points, the most they have conceded in any game so far this season, the Panthers still only have 60 points in their against column eight games in and they will prove difficult to break down once again back on home soil where they have dominated since the start of 2020.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Starting 13: Kennedy, Hiroti, Chambers, Ramien, Tracey, Johnson, Townsend, Tolman, Brailey, Woods, Nikora, Graham, Rudolf – Interchanges: Trindall, Wilton, Jack Williams, Magoulias – Reserves: Moylan, Dugan, Pele, Taumoepeau
Unavailable: Bronson Xerri (Suspended), Jack A Williams (Injured), Royce Hunt (Injured), Sione Katoa (Injured), Andrew Fifita (Suspended), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Injured) Siosifa Talakai (Suspended), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Suspended)
- It was a tale of two halves for Cronulla Sharks as they led premiers Melbourne Storm at half-time of last week’s clash but they produced an unacceptable performance after the break as they succumbed to a huge defeat.
- Having gone into the break with a 6-8 lead, Cronulla collapsed as they allowed Melbourne to run in seven tries in the 40-14 loss and the way they capitulated defensively will be of particular concern for interim head coach Josh Hannay.
THE PREDICTION
Penrith Panthers continue to impress at the top of the NRL ladder after they extended their winning streak to eight matches with a hard-fought success over Manly Sea Eagles last week. Their impressive record spells trouble for Cronulla Sharks who showed all of their worst traits in a humiliating second half display against Melbourne Storm last week in which they allowed seven tries. That effort was far from good enough and it saw the Sharks fall to a fourth straight defeat while they have won just one of their last seven. With that in mind and Penrith winning their last three clashes with Cronulla, scoring 120 points in the process, it would be a surprise if the Panthers failed to win this by 13+ points.
