Match Preview: NRL Round 16

Wests Tigers will look to extend a strong recent record over the Penrith Panthers when they meet at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, June 28 for their Round 16 clash.

Despite losing the corresponding fixture at Leichhardt Oval last year, Wests Tigers have won seven of their last eight games against Penrith, and are no doubt desperate continue that record to stay in touch with the competition’s top eight this weekend.

A last start defeat to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on Friday night has Jason Taylor’s side with some work to do to climb up the ladder, but a run of home games followed by a second bye in the next three weeks provide a opportunity for that to take place.

They’ll be boosted by the return of captain Robbie Farah, along with Sauaso Sue, for Sunday’s game, with the captain set to play his first Club game since Round 10.

For the Panthers, they too welcome back a big-name player in Australian international winger Josh Mansour, but will be without key playmakers Matt Moylan and James Segeyaro, with the latter picking up an injury last weekend that will see him out for four to six weeks. Ivan Cleary’s side are just two points ahead of Wests Tigers on the ladder and similarly needing a win — having lost their last three matches — which should make for a fascinating clash on Sunday afternoon as both teams lay it all on the line.

Who will emerge from Leichhardt with two much-needed points? Read on for a full match preview including team news, stats, analysis and all the need-to-know details!

There's NOTHING like Sunday afternoon footy at Leichhardt Oval, so get your tickets and be there as we take on the Penrith Panthers!

Match Details

Date — Sunday, June 28, 2015

Time — 4:00pm AEST

Venue — Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.

Match Officials

On-Field Referees — Gavin Badger and Alan Shortall

Touch Judges — Brett Suttor and Lawrence McDonnell

Video Referees — Ashley Klein and Henry Perenara

TV, Live Stream and Radio Information

TV — Channel 9 (NSW and QLD)

Live Stream — NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)

Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, FM 104.9 Triple M Sydney

Confirmed Squads

Captain Robbie Farah returns at hooker with Dene Halatau dropping back to the bench and Manaia Cherrington out completely. Delouise Hoeter replaces David Nofoaluma (knee) in the centres while Sauaso Sue takes Brendan Santi's spot on the bench.

For the Panthers, international winger Josh Mansour returns on the wing. His inclusion sees Waqa Blake go to the centres, Issah Yeo shift to the back row and Lewis Brown shifts back to the bench in place of James Segeyaro (knee). Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Sam McKendry shift between the front row and the bench. Sika Manu is 18th man.

2015 Recent Results

Wests Tigers

R10 — Newcastle Knights 22 def. Wests Tigers 12

R11 — North Queensland Cowboys 8 def. Wests Tigers 0

R13 — Gold Coast Titans 27 def. Wests Tigers 20

R14 — Wests Tigers 34 def. South Sydney Rabbitohs 6

R15 — Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 30 def. Wests Tigers 20

Penrith Panthers

R9 — Brisbane Broncos 8 def. Penrith Panthers 5

R10 — Penrith Panthers 11 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 10

R12 — Parramatta Eels 26 def. Penrith Panthers 20

R13 — Melbourne Storm 20 def. Penrith Panthers 0

R15 — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 def. Penrith Panthers 12

Match History

·       Against the Panthers — Played 27, Won 11, Lost 15, Drawn 1

·       At Leichhardt Oval — Played 4, Won 1, Lost 3

Numbers to Know

·       7 — Wests Tigers have won seven of their last eight games against the Panthers.

·       6 — Wests Tigers have lost five of their last six games at Leichhardt Oval.

·       246 — Penrith Panthers have had the second fewest kicks this year with 246 kicks (lowest Titans on 242), and the fewest number of total kick metres (5829).

·       383 — Penrith rank third in the league for missed tackles this year with 383.

·       100 — Penrith (212) have had 100 more offloads than Wests Tigers (112) this year.