Round 9: Panthers v Wests Tigers preview
NRL to return to Bathurst with Penrith hosting the Wests Tigers.
Carrington Park is the backdrop for a clash between two clubs with very different records over the past few years. The reigning premiers and current 3rd place team Penrith Panthers will face off against the still winless Wests Tigers, who find themselves four points adrift at the bottom of the table. The Saturday night kick-off will hopefully lead to a big turn out from rugby league fans across the Blue Mountains.
The Panthers are not enjoying the same success of their past few seasons so far in 2023. Sitting in third on the competition ladder with just four wins to their three losses, a surprise loss this week could see them drop all the way down to 7th as there are plenty of teams right on their heels. They'll need to be very cautious against the Tigers to not head into the game cocky or expecting to win - otherwise they could find themselves in a bad predicament early on in their title charge.
Penrith are coming off a heartbreaking loss to South Sydney at Homebush on Thursday night. The game looked wrapped up in the 70th minute with Penrith holding a 18-10 lead, however two quick tries by the Bunnies stole the two points and saw the final score read 20-18. Stephen Crichton was the star performer in the losing side, racking up all 18 of his side's points thanks to a hat-trick of tries and three successful goal kicks.
Izack Tago has not been named due to a pectoral injury, so Tyrone Peachey will start in the centres for Penrith in the sole change to their 17.
Surely it's only up from here for the Wests Tigers. The club is suffering, and has been for a long time, but their first win of 2023 has been itching closer week by week - although Penrith will definitely be a challenge. There is still plenty of bad blood between the Tigers' fans and Penrith coach Ivan Cleary, who was the head coach of the Wests Tigers before leaving in 2018 in unsavoury circumstances, so expect a fiery clash.
Last week saw the Tigers return from the bye with a six point loss to the second placed Manly Sea Eagles. In their return to Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Wests found themselves trailing early on, but fought back to take the lead of the match in the final 20 minutes. It wasn't enough though, with a Jason Saab try and Garrick penalty goal securing the 22-16 Manly victory.
David Nofoaluma returns to the NRL set-up, filling in the gap left by Charlie Staines, who has just undergone surgery. Brent Naden is another in for the outside back for the Tigers, but Asu Kepaoa is out with tonsillitis.
Penrith have won nine of their past eleven games against the Wests Tigers.
Last meeting: Round 18 2022 - Wests Tigers 16 Panthers 18
Who to watch: With Api Koroisau gone to the Tigers, Penrith hooker Soni Luke has cemented a bench spot in the NRL side after toiling away since 2017 in reserve grade at both the Panthers and the Magpies. The 27 year old has just ten first grade games to his name, so he is considerably lacking in experience in comparison to Penrith's starting hooker, Mitch Kenny (67 games). However, Luke broke through into the Tongan international side for the World Cup last year, and gained valuable experience on the big stage that he has since taken back to the Penrith set-up in 2023. He'll be looking to make an impact off the bench this weekend.
Jahream Bula made his NRL debut last week in the Tigers' loss to the Sea Eagles. The young fullback has beaten out the established NRL players Daine Laurie and Charlie Staines to the number one jersey for the second week running, and he'll want to show Tim Sheens that he deserves that position. The 21 year old has only made three reserve grade appearances ever (all of them for the Magpies earlier in the season), but what he lacks in experience he makes up for in raw talent.
The favourite: Penrith Panthers are the nearly unbackable favourites to triumph in round nine.
My tip: Penrith will be keen to get back into the winner's circle, and they have a prime opportunity against the terrible Tigers that they can pounce on. Panthers by 14.
