The Penrith Panthers lead the Wests Tigers 12-10 in their clash at CommBank Stadium.
The Tigers have finished the half with rehearsals from Junior Tupou and Adam Doeuihi, but the Panthers advanced after rehearsals from Isaac Tago and Viliame Kikau, who is living a brilliant day.
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MINUTES 37
Adam Doueihi produced a brilliant solo run from a melee to charge for a crucial attempt to cut the Panthers ’lead just before the break.
MINUTE 24
Kikau then scored after a brilliant cover pick to extend the Panthers ’lead.
18th MINUTE
Izack Tago finished off a brilliant assist from Viliame Kikau to get the Panthers on the board.
11TH MINUTE
The Tigers came out of the blocks with an attempt from winger Junior Tupou to advance 4-0.
MATCH FORECAST
It may be the first against the last, but the Western Tigers will have their best chance of annoying the first when they take on a seriously exhausted Panthers team on Sunday.
Penrith has given the seven home state stars the weekend off and has used some very helpful backups, including Sean O’Sullivan with the Dolphins.
But Ivan Cleary isn’t the only coach to roll the dice this week, with Brett Kimmorley of the Tigers making a big call to his halves.
Kimmorley has displaced Jackson Hastings to block him to allow Adam Doueihi to play his favorite five-eighth position, with Luke Brooks returning to midfield.
Hastings has been one of the Tigers’ best this season and wore the No. 7 jersey.
With Hastings on the block, Joe Ofahengaue has moved to prop up one of the many changes. James Tamou returns in a timely manner after a calf injury as Stefano Utoikamanu is out with a wrist injury.
Jake Simpkin replaces Jacob Liddle on the bench, while James Roberts and David Nofoaluma have been ruled out due to illness. Asu Kepaoa and Junior Tupou replaced them with central and side.
Luke Garner starts in the back row with Justin Matamua playing his second game from the bench.
For the Panthers, Kurt Falls will join O’Sullivan in the halves, Mitch Kenny will move on to the starting hooker with Soni Luke joining the bench, Robert Jennings and Charlie Staines at the bottom line and Chris Smith and Matt Eisenhuth s ‘bind to the initial package.
Lindsay Smith arrives on the bench with Sunia Turuva named 18th man.
Penrith hopes to continue his streak of seven straight wins, while the Tigers look for their first win since round 11.
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