Neds Match Preview: Round 4
Wests Tigers will be looking bounce back with a dominant performance when they take on the Penrith Panthers in a Round 4 clash sure to attract plenty of attention across the league.
On-field, both sides will be looking to rectify disappointing performances in Round 3 — Wests Tigers going down to the Bulldogs at Campbelltown while a sluggish Panthers side were blown off Carrington Park in Bathurst by the Melbourne Storm.
Historically, Panthers have been hard to beat on their home turf with a 70% win rate and have won two of the last three Friday night games between the two at home.
In terms of team news, Head Coach Michael Maguire has named a strong side ahead of the clash with Josh Reynolds set for his first game of the new season after returning from a long-term injury — moving in to the halves with Benji Marshall (hamstring) unavailable. Luke Garner named in the back row despite picking up a shoulder knock last week and will line up as expected for Friday's game.
For Penrith, Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo have both been named to return from injury with James Fisher-Harris moving to lock. Moses Leota drops back to the bench alongside Hame Sele with Reagan Campbell-Gillard named to start at prop, while Frank Winterstein retains his spot on the bench after his club debut.
Dylan Edwards remains at fullback after a game to forget last week against Melbourne with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak named once again on the right wing.
While poor last week, Wests Tigers have produced a strong start to the year with the second best completion percentage in the competition behind Canterbury, as well as the most runs (587), run metres (5022m), touches of the ball (1339) and kicks (71).
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Friday, April 5, 2019
Time — 8:05pm AEDT
Venue — Panthers Stadium (Mulgoa Road, Penrith)
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via FOX League (Ch.502) and Channel Nine
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand and AM 2GB 873
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, KAYO, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass and Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers — Josh Reynolds starts at five-eighth in place of Benji Marshall, while Luke Garner is also confirmed to play after overcoming a shoulder knock. Thomas Mikaele was omitted from the squad 24 hours before kickoff, with no confirmation yet from Wests Tigers as to which player will replace him on the bench.
Penrith Panthers — Reagan Campbell-Gillard starts at prop with Moses Leota switching to the bench while Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo both return from injury in the back row, pushing James Fisher-Harris to lock. Tim Grant and Jarome Luai were the two players omitted by Penrith's 19-man squad 24 hours before kickoff.
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 4 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh MansourWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Mahe Fonua
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean WhareCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Robert Jennings
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Corey Thompson
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 James MaloneyFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Josh Reynolds
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 James TamouProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Ben Matulino
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Sione KatoaHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Isaah Yeo2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Ryan Matterson
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 15 Frank Winterstein2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 James Fisher-HarrisLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah Taylor
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 11 Viliame KikauInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Russell Packer
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Wayde EganInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Josh Aloiai
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses LeotaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Hame SeleInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Matthew Eisenhuth
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Maguire excited for ‘changed’ Reynolds return
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H —Penrith Panthers ($1.53), Wests Tigers ($2.45),
Line — Penrith Panthers -4.5 ($1.90), Wests Tigers + 4.5 ($1.90)
Odds correct on Wednesday, April 3 — 18+ only and gamble responsibly
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall — Played 32, Penrith 20, Wests Tigers 12
At Panthers Stadium — Played 14, Penrith 10, Wests Tigers 4
Last Time They Met — Penrith Panthers 16 def. Wests Tigers 2
MATCH OFFICIALS
Match Referees — Gerard Sutton and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judges — Todd Smith and Kasey Badger
Review Officials — Bryan Norrie and Steve Chiddy
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 4 -
home Team
Panthers
11th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
6th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
