NRL Previews - Panthers v Knights (Round 1)

  vs  
13-03-2011 03:00PM at Centrebet Stadium Penrith

Referees: Ben Cummins and Tony De Las Heras
Touch Judges: Dan Eastwood and Luke Potter
Video Referee: Russell Smith

A lot to like about the Panthers at home on a Sunday, especially with the forward pack they have. Kevin Kingston is a favourite of this blog and will hook the scrum with one of the games most promising young front rowers in Tm Grant, and hooking his other arm over one of the greatest ever, Petero Civoniceva. This could be enough to give Luke Walsh and a healthy Lachlan Coote the space they need to score plenty for the home side.

These two clubs have a history of playing in high scoring matches, especially when conditions suit as they should this Sunday afternoon. For the Knights, not much has changed from last year; Chris Houston and Neville Costigan will toughen them up, but keep an eye on Beau Henry. The Knights five-eighth makes his first great debut after starring in the under 20s competition. His first experience in the NRL will be to listen to Travis Burns sledge him for 80 minutes. Enjoy.

My Tip: Panthers 36-26

The Teams

Penrith Panthers    Newcastle Knights
Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries N. Smith M. Jennings	1. Lachlan Coote Fullback 1. Kurt Gidley 2. Michael Gordon Wing 2. James McManus 3. Brad Tighe Centre 3. Junior Sau 4. David Simmons Centre 4. Wes Naiqama 5. Sandor Earl Wing 5. Akuila Uate 6. Travis Burns Five Eighth 6. Beau Henry 7. Luke Walsh Halfback 7. Jarrod Mullen 8. Tim Grant Prop 8. Antonio Kaufusi 9. Kevin Kingston Hooker 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Petero Civoniceva Prop 10. Evarn Tuimavave 11. Trent Waterhouse Second Row 11. Zeb Taia 12. Nigel Plum Second Row 12. Neville Costigan 13. Luke Lewis Lock 13. Chris Houston 14. Sam McKendry Interchange 14. Matt Hilder 15. Matthew Bell Interchange 15. Cory Paterson 16. Adrian Purtell Interchange 16. Richard Fa'aoso 17. Masada Iosefa Interchange 17. Daniel Tolar	Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries M. Taufua

Head to Head

LeagueUnlimited Tipsters - Courtesy of www.MyTips.com.au

Other Games this Round

• Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney Football Stadium
• Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium
• New Zealand Warriors v Parramatta Eels at Eden Park, Auckland
• Gold Coast Titans v St George Illawarra Dragons at Skilled Park
• Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles at AAMI Park
• Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Canberra Stadium
• Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights at Centrebet Stadium Penrith
• Canterbury Bulldogs v Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium