Round 8, NSW CUP
Saturday 26th April
Kick off: 12.45pm
Venue: Remondis Stadium, Cronulla
Ref: Chris Treneman
TEAMS:
PANTHERS: 1.Dallin WATENE-ZELEZNIAK, 2.Eto NABULI, 3.Isaah YEO, 4.Waqa BLAKE, 5.Kevin NAIQAMA, 6.Will SMITH, 7.Isaac JOHN, 8.Sam ANDERSON, 9.Kierran MOSELEY, 10.Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD, 11.Anthony CHERRINGTON, 12.Nathan SMITH, 13.Ryan SIMPKINS
INTERCHANGE: 14. Leilani LATU, 15. Daniel FOSTER, 16. Mitch CLARK, 17. Vaipuna TIA KILIFI, 18. Liam AYOUB, 19. Tom EISENHUTH
SHARKS: 1. Nathan Gardner, 2. Jacob Gagan, 3. Travis Robinson, 4. Kurt Mann, 5. Nathan Stapleton, 6. Ben Hampton, 7. Daniel Holdsworth, 8. Matt Prior, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. David Fifita, 11. Junior Moors, 12. Junior Roqica, 13. Tupou Sopoaga
INTERCHANGE: 14. Pat Politoni, 15. Tim Robinson, 16. Josh Portlock, 17. Michael Morris, 18. Mark Mexico, 20. Penani Manumalealii, 25. Sione Masima
We’re in for an explosive game of rugby league on Saturday afternoon when the 4th placed Panthers take on the 8th placed Sharks at Remondis Stadium!
Both teams head into the game in positive spirits; Cronulla smashed Newtown 46-10 last weekend on the back of an impressive win over Manly the week before, while Penrith had a break with the BYE and will be refreshed and eager to get on the field.
Everything seemed to go right for the Sharks against the Jets. They dominated possession for most of the game and absolutely decimated their opponents’ defence, with their big boys Davis Fifita and Tim Robinson inflicting the most damage. Fullback Nathan Gardner was also a standout and had a hand in several tries.
They will all be back this week and will be keen for repeat performances, and they’ll be joined by a very strong back row combination of Junior Moors, Junior Rogica and Tupou Sopoaga.
The Panthers have named an equally impressive side with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak at fullback, Fijian pair Eto Nabuli and Kevin Naiqama on the wings, experienced duo Will Smith and Isaac John in the halves, and of course, heavy hitters Sam Anderson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Hooker Kierran Moseley has been brilliant over the last couple of weeks, making a huge impact up the middle of the park, while our back row has been given a boost this week with big Anthony Cherrington named in the starting side.
We will be without Wes Naiqama who is out with an ankle injury and Luke Capewell who has had another setback with his foot.
Penrith have now won four of their six matches played thanks to major improvements in defence. The Sharks will throw everything they’ve got at our boys on Saturday, but if our backline is as strong as it has been in previous weeks, we should be able to keep them out and come home with the win.
