Match Preview: Round 18 vs Panthers
Wests Tigers are set to host the Penrith Panthers at CommBank Stadium on Sunday afternoon as both sides clash for the inaugural Royce Simmons Cup.
The two teams may sit at opposite ends of the ladder, but the home side will be hoping to launch an ambush on the Panthers, who are missing their Origin stars.
Wests Tigers fans will fondly remember last year’s victory over a depleted Penrith outfit at Leichhardt Oval, and the team will be looking to repeat that performance on Sunday.
The match will take on extra significance for Wests Tigers as they celebrate Legends Round and acknowledge the contributions of those who have sported the club’s colours over the years.
In team news, Brett Kimmorley has named Adam Doueihi at five-eighth for the first time since his return from injury, with Luke Brooks shifting to halfback and Jackson Hastings moving to lock.
Joe Ofahengaue will start at prop, which sees Fonua Pole revert back to the interchange bench after an inspired performance against the Eels at Leichhardt.
James Tamou, Luke Garner and Jake Simpkin will join Pole on the bench, while Justin Matamua has earned his first starting appearance in the NRL.
For the visitors, Ivan Cleary has elected to rest Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Isaiah Yeo, Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton and Apisai Koroisau.
Match: Wests Tigers v Panthers
Round 18 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Panthers is number 2 Taylan May
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'aCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 21 Asu KepaoaCentre for Panthers is number 4 Robert Jennings
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 20 Junior TupouWinger for Panthers is number 5 Charlie Staines
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam DoueihiFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Kurt Falls
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Joe OfahengaueProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Fa'amanu BrownHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane MusgroveProp for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 16 Luke Garner2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Chris Smith
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Jackson HastingsLock for Panthers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 11 Justin MatamuaInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Fonua PoleInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 James TamouInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Panthers is number 20 Lindsay Smith
Reserves
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Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Austin DiasReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Sunia Turuva
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
TV, Radio and Live Stream Information:
TV - FOX League (Ch. 502)
Radio - ABC Grandstand 702, 2GB 873
Live Stream - KAYO Sports, Watch NRL (int.)
Latest PlayUp Odds:
Head-to-Head - Wests Tigers ($3.30) v Penrith Panthers ($1.32)
Line - Wests Tigers +8.5 ($1.85) v Penrith Panthers -8.5 ($1.95)
Odds correct as of 5:00pm, Tuesday, 12th July. 18+ only. Gamble Responsibly.
History:
Head-to-Head - Played 38, Wests Tigers 14, Parramatta Eels 24
At CommBank Stadium - Played 1, Wests Tigers 0, Penrith Panthers 1
Last Time They Met - Penrith Panthers 30 def. Wests Tigers 16 (Round 24, 2021)
Match Officials:
Referee - Peter Gough
Touch Judge - Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official - Gerard Sutton
