Penrith Panthers NYC v Parramatta Eels NYC
Ringrose Park, Wentworthville
Kick-off: 1pm Sunday
The high-flying Penrith Panthers NYC side travels to Ringrose Park on Sunday to tackle an ever-desperate Parramatta Eels outfit.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo has made a number of changes to the team which took the field in a 34-10 victory against South Sydney last weekend. The young Panthers have won five in a row and appear untroubled by the regular changes in personnel.
Powerful prop Stanton Albert returns to the starting side, reuniting with fellow enforcer Moses Leota in an intimidating front row.
In a major boost for Penrith, powerhouse forward James Fisher-Harris returns on the bench after being sidelined for a number of weeks due to injury. The Junior Kiwi’s injection will further strengthen the Panthers forward pack, which has comprehensively bashed the opposition in recent weeks.
Ciraldo has named a six-man extended bench, which has been the normal trend over the course of the season. Expect a few more changes closer to kick-off.
The battle of the halves is set to be an intriguing duel. Penrith’s Nathan Cleary has been in outstanding form since getting his chance in the NYC. However he faces off against Junior Kiwis captain Zach Dockar-Clay, who will be joining the Panthers next season.
Both youngsters will be keen to demonstrate they should be first in line when ranking the up-and-coming halfbacks at the foot of the mountains.
Parramatta Eels currently sit in 11th place on the competition ladder. However they will be desperate for a win as the lower half of the ladder is congested and victory could potentially put them back in the top eight.
Penrith remain top of the table, but with the Cowboys still only one point in arrears, a slip up on Sunday could cost them the minor premiership. Expect the young Panthers to come out firing again.
PENRITH PANTHERS | 1. Dylan EDWARDS, 2. Fuimanu ENESE, 3. Jack NELSON, 4. Christian CRICHTON, 5. Jake ENNIS, 6. Jarome LUAI, 7. Nathan CLEARY, 8. Stanton ALBERT, 9. Soni LUKE, 10. Moses LEOTA, 11. Tyrone MAY ,12. Corey WADDELL, 13. Paea PUA
INTERCHANGE | 14. James FISHER-HARRIS, 15. Cowen EPERE, 16. Thomson TUIGAMALA, 17. Reed IZZARD, 18. Daniel BROWN, 19. Kade ELLIS
