Round 4: Roosters v Panthers preview
Lachy previews the upcoming game between the Sydney Roosters and the Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal.
Roosters aim to end drought against a Cleary-less Panthers
In what was billed as a blockbuster match to open Round 4 has suddenly become the Sydney Roosters best chance to end their current eight-game losing streak against the defending premiers. The 31st of August 2019 was the last time the tricolours knocked off the Penrith Panthers and their two performances last year left a lot to be desired.
A 44-point loss and a 24-point loss highlighted how the Roosters struggled against the top sides in 2023, something that has seemingly been dealt with after three rounds in 2024 with wins over Brisbane and South Sydney to begin the year. Their performance against the Rabbitohs last week was particularly impressive, taking just three minutes to open the scoring in a match which they never took their foot off the accelerator. Even with the absence of Luke Keary, the Roosters looked incredibly destructive as the halves pairing of Sandon Smith and Sam Walker toyed with their biggest rivals. Smith finished the night with two try assists and Walker scored two himself before leaving and remaining off the field after failing a Head Injury Assessment early in the second half. The Roosters were able to reverse the category ruling of Walker's injury and is therefore available for selection this week, a massive result for the club. However, Smith will be absent after suffering an elbow injury during his impressive performance. Keary has been named to return at five-eighth in Smith's absence and will look to aid Walker in continuing the Roosters auxiliary attacking performance from last week which saw James Tedesco return to the form that has become so customary over the fullback's career. Despite a dip in form in 2023, Tedesco was exemplary last week, scoring a double and assisting a try as he ran for 170 metres and broke eight tackles, making a great case for his re-selection as the New South Wales fullback. If the 31-year-old can back up that performance on Thursday night against the defending premiers, it would do his case a world of good.
What is of the most interest heading into this clash is whether the Roosters forward pack can match the intensity and discipline of the Panthers. Their pack has been on fire to start the season, and if they're to announce themselves as premiership contenders on Thursday night, a strong performance up front against the Panthers is a necessity. To make the task more difficult than it already is, Lindsay Collins will be absent with a hamstring injury, yet the tricolours have a plethora of quality forwards to come into the side as Terrel May starts in the front row and Egan Butcher joining the pine. The Roosters aren't the only side in this clash with injury concerns. News broke on Monday that 2023 Clive Churchill medallist Nathan Cleary will miss up to four weeks with a hamstring injury, subsequently ruling him out of this contest on Thursday night. The Panthers have selected __ to replace him and partner Jarome Luai in the halves, who you would imagine will take a heavier attacking workload in this fixture. It's a blow for the Panthers and rugby league fans alike, after Cleary put in an impressive display against the Brisbane Broncos in the Grand Final rematch last week. In his absence, a continuation of the electric performances from their outside backs such as Izack Tago and Brian To'o will be ever more crucial to the outcome of this game, and it'll be up to Luai and club debutant Brad Schneider to make sure they are provided with enough time and space to conduct their magic.
They're no stranger to playing without Cleary, who has missed a few games in each of the last couple of seasons, so they'll know what to do. It didn't hamper their performances then and it may not do so now, yet it'll give the Roosters that extra bit of belief heading into the match. Despite the attacking implications of Cleary's absence, expect the Panthers to remain dogged in defence, having conceded just 38 points so far this season, second to only the Roosters' 37 points. Even with both teams in excellent attacking form, the game may come down to who is the most resilient and disciplined team in defence which could make for a finals-like atmosphere at Allianz Stadium. The Panthers will also be without backrower Scott Sorensen who misses out with a knee injury and is replaced by Luke Garner in the starting side with Mavrik Geyer named on the bench for his NRL debut.
Last meeting: Round 15 2023 - Roosters 6 Panthers 30
Who to watch: Despite playing on opposite sides of the field, two players who have been excellent to start 2024 and could very well be the stars on Thursday night are Izack Tago and Joseph Manu. Firstly, Tago tore up the Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos over the past two weeks, scoring three tries, breaking 14 tackles and making eight line breaks. The 21-year-old has been utterly destructive, thanks to the space that Cleary has created for him on the edge, and we'll have to see if the Panthers can do so without their star half. Either way, expect Tago to be in the thick of it, someone who likes to get his hands on the ball and is not afraid to take tough carry.
On the other edge, Manu has already had one of the highlights of the season for his insane flick pass in the opening round in Las Vegas. Last weekend, the New Zealand international bagged a double to help his side to a famous victory over the Roosters most prominent rivals. It's the 27-year-old's last season in the NRL (for now) before heading off to France to play Rugby Union and this could be his last chance at winning a third premiership. If that is to happen, a strong performance from Manu and the Roosters is necessary. In a season that has had so many impressive performances in the centres, Thursday night could prove to be the latest instalment of the trend.
Favourite: Since the announcement of Cleary's injury, the Roosters have become the favourites to secure the two-points on Thursday night. It might be an ambitious decision, given the Roosters haven't won against Penrith in five years.
My tip: Even with the absence of Cleary, I'm still tipping the Panthers to be good enough defensively to win this one. They're an extremely experienced side and are always up for the big contests with or without their two-time Clive Churchill medallist. The Roosters have been good to start the year, but I'm still not convinced their attack is potent enough to break down the Panthers defence. Penrith by 6.
