Penrith Panthers NSW Cup v Wyong Roos
Pepper Stadium
Kick-off 12.40pm Saturday
The NSW Cup finals series kicks off this weekend with Penrith Panthers tackling Wyong Roos at Pepper Stadium on Saturday in the second Qualifying Final.
Coach Garth Brennan has made one change to the side that edged Illawarra Cutters last weekend, with Matt Eisenhuth coming in to the starting side for Rodney Coates, who drops back to the bench. Ray Lesoa retains his spot in the centres after a superb hat trick on debut.
However Brennan has a selection dilemma after Adam Docker was found guilty of a grade two shoulder charge and slapped with a four-week suspension. His replacement will be named on Saturday.
Brennan would have been relieved to see his side come away with the victory against the Cutters after giving up an early 12-point lead to go in to the break down 24-12. Tom Eisenhuth scored at the death to seal a dramatic 34-28 win and finish the regular season equal top of the table with Mounties and this weekend’s opponents Wyong.
The two teams have already met twice this season, with the Roos narrowly running out victors on both occasions. The first meeting was at Central Coast Stadium in Round 16 where Wyong would edge the contest 19-18 thanks to a Tyler Cornish field goal at the death.
They would then meet two weeks later at Pepper Stadium where once again the match was decided with just seconds remaining. This time Wyong speedster Chris Centrone clinched victory for his side after a breakaway try handed his side a 22-20 win.
