Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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Season flashpoint looms for the Penrith Panthers as they tackle the Sydney Roosters.
Start date/time: Saturday 19th April, 2025: UK – 10:35am / Local – 7:35pm / US ET – 5:35am / US PT – 2:35am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Sydney Roosters team news
Mark Nawaqanitawase returns from a calf injury to replace Billy Smith (suspension - one match). Victor Radley has been named in the run-on side at lock forward. Dom Young retains his position on the wing for now, creating a potential headache for Head Coach Trent Robinson when he and Smith are both available.
Squad: 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
Penrith Panthers team news
Head Coach Ivan Cleary has shown faith in Blaize Talagi and he retains the No.6 jersey. That sees Brad Schneider remain on the bench, while Mitch Kenny also returns injury with Luke Sommerton dropping out of the 17. In a surprising shift, Izack Tago has been named on the bench with a new centre combo of Casey McLean and Luke Garner. Tago began in Penrith’s ranks as a back rower, from the bench. The last time he started there was in Round 22, 2021.
Squad: 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
Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers prediction
The four-time defending premiers chase of a fifth straight title has stalled, and questions are being asked on a weekly basis; Is this the beginning of the end? When will the Panthers lift? Are they making the finals? Coach Cleary has given his side another week to sort themselves out before potentially wielding the axe. The Panthers last lost six games in a row back in 2019 before their dominant run through the 2020’s.
The Roosters have recorded two wins on the season, Panthers away and then a convincing win in Brisbane last week where they looked more like the well-oiled machine of years past.
The teams face-off for the second time in a month, the round two matchup was a shootout with the Roosters getting away with a 38-32 victory and breaking a ten-game losing streak to the Panthers that dated back to March 2020 in the process. In fact, in each of the aforementioned Panther victories, they enjoyed a half time lead in each and went right on with the job. Look for the Panthers to start quickly in this one and return towards something close to their best.
Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers tip: Penrith Panthers to Win Half Time / Full Time