Phins fly past sluggish Eels
9 hours ago | Andy P
Panthers v Roosters preview
Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters
Pepper Stadium - Saturday 5:30pm 
If my calculations are correct then we are 65% of the way through the 2015 NRL season (Thanks to my year 5 Primary school teacher at Loftus Primary who taught me the value of divison! Thanks Mr King!). This either bodes well for your team or reads very badly for your team. In the case of both these clubs I fancy the reading is a lot more comfortable for the Roosters who are flying high in the top 8, whilst the Panthers have had a mini revival of late but still find themselves outside the top 8 with time running out. This is a vital game for both clubs and has a lot riding on it.
For the home side Penrith, they were magnificent last week against Souths in the cold conditions at the foot of the mountains. Their defence was top class and brought back memories of last season where they nullified other clubs attack with ultimate ease. Jamie Soward was... well not walking on water but certainly getting back to the kind of form that we all know he is capable of, with a strong kicking game and a solid defensive display. There were also solid contributions from Dalian Watene-Zelezniak (who is starting to warm to the fullback position), Apisai Koroisau put in another very tidy shift at hooker and Peter Wallace steadied the ship all night and was extremely strong in defence.
Penrith will line up with a similar squad as last week in what is shaping as another must win clash. Josh Mansour is again out injured, this sees Waqa Blake move from his more accustomed centre position to the wing, Isaac Yeo moves from the back row to centre and Sika Manu moves into the starting side in the 2nd row which will give the Panthers some added size.
As for the Roosters, they will be hoping their quartet of origin stars come through Wednesday Night's game unscathed. They make no new changes and will be out for yet another win to cement their standing in the top 4. Trent Robinson's men will be fresh of the bye and be biting at the chomp to mix it with Penrith's big forward pack come Saturday night. The Roosters are coming off 3 straight wins, all in matches where they have been tested physical, particularly in the last 10 minutes.
So far the Tri-colours have answered all questions asked of them and are again looking like a real premiership threat as we move into the back end of the season. The return of Blake Ferguson has been a real plus for the Roosters who now have two legitimate playmakers on both sides of the field (in Jennings and Ferguson).
Last meeting: Round 3 2015 - Sydney Roosters 20 Penrith Panthers 12
The Rosters have won 4 of the past 5 against the boys from the West. Penrith's one win coming in exciting fashion in last year final's series.
In matches played out at Penrith's Pepper Stadium the Roosters have the 5th best record of any team to play out there. Winning 24 out of 41 games. In fact the Roosters win percentage at Penrith is higher than the Panthers!
Both these sides last played at Penrith in 2013, with the Roosters running out resounding winners 42-6 on their way to the 2013 Premiership.
Who to watch: For the home side they will need to get on top of the Roosters forward pack early on in this bout if they want to stand and compete with them. Young prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has impressed me so far in his rookie season and he will be one of the forwards that coach Ivan Cleary will be relying on come Saturday evening. Gillard is not afraid of any forward and runs with such a fearless approach. In just 34 minutes of play last week, he had 13 carries for 148 metres along with 2 tackle busts. If he bends the Tri colours defensive line back at all on Saturday, it will give the Panthers backline a platform to showcase their massive talent. Really looking forward between the battle with him and the feisty Jared Waerea Hargreaves!
For the Tri colours, looking at Roger Tuivasa Sheck to run riot from the back. Sheck has been absolutely immense so far in 2015. Regularly running for more than 200 metres a game. In fact he averages 221 metres a game (the most in the NRL). Add to this his 4 tries, 6 try assists and 9 line breaks and you have an absolute star on your hands. He gets the Roosters starting off in such good field position with his explosive running style and his pure pace on the ball. The Panthers will need to try and kick away from him and keep the ball away from him as much as they can. He is an excitement machine and his is the guy that we need to market to get the NRL to grow. Expect to see him in space or his name on the score sheet at some stage on Saturday.
The favourite: Roosters hold the edge in this one coming off the back of three classy wins in a row.
My tip: Roosters will get the win in this clash. They are in good form and have a good record out at Penrith. Their star players are feeding off each other and playing well. Their defense has been most impressive in the past few weeks.
Penrith were good last week but just can't see them holding the Roosters for the full 80 minutes. Will be one of the games of the round, if not the game of the round in my opinion. Going to be a close one. Roosters by 2.
1. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 2. Waqa Blake 3. Dean Whare 4. Isaah Yeo 5. David Simmons 6. Jamie Soward 7. Peter Wallace 8. Nigel Plum 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Sika Manu 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Sam McKendry 17. Tyrone Peachey
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Sam Moa 15. Aidan Guerra 16. Kane Evans 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Jackson Hastings
Referees: Ashley Klein, Dave Munro; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Matt Noyen; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Daniel Irvine;