The Penrith Panthers lead the Sydney Roosters 14-6 in their clash at Allianz Stadium.
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MATCH CENTRE: Roosters vs Panthers teams, scores, videos, updates
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Daniel Tupou made Paul Alamoti pay for a bad defensive read to produce a brilliant finish in the corner as the Roosters took the lead.
Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards combined to put Paul Alamoti over as the Panthers squared the scores.
It came after a call went against James Tedesco who appeared to be taken out by Dylan Edwards going for a try at the other end of the field.
Cleary and Edwards put on a carbon copy assist for Alamoti to score his double as the Panthers took the lead into half-time.
With his conversion Cleary went passed Ryan Girdler’s mark of 1572, to become the greatest point scorer in the history of the Panthers’ club.
Victor Radley was pinged for obstruction in an escort play to give Cleary the chance to extend the Panthers’ lead with a penalty goal.
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MATCH PREVIEW
The Panthers have lost five in a row and are in desperate need of a win to keep their finals hopes alive.
For the Panthers Liam Henry starts at prop with Lindsay Smith shifting to the bench.
They’ll go head to head with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium. The Chooks will be without Angus Crichton, who has been ruled out with a groin injury.
Salesi Foketi moves into the starting side with Taylor Losalu coming into the team on the interchange bench.
Mark Nawaqanitawase returns from a calf injury to replace Billy Smith, who has been suspended.
Victor Radley is named in the starting side at lock forward. He came off the interchange last week when he returned from a cheekbone injury.
Roosters winger Dom Young is lucky that Billy Smith is suspended for the game against the Panthers.
Smith has been in fine form for the Chooks in recent times, scoring a double in their win over the Broncos last week.
If Smith had been available, Young likely would have found himself dropped for this game.
According to Phil Rothfield, Young “probably misread the Latrell pass” that led to the Rabbitohs’ match-winning try against the Roosters in round five.
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta believes Young needs time out of first grade. “He probably needs to have a breather and freshen up. A few poor reads and under the high ball he’s been a little bit suss,” Anasta said.
“I think he’s got some work to do Dom to get himself back to his best. He’s great in open space and he’s a great finisher, but he got a few things wrong on the weekend and he has the past month.”
Ivan Cleary had a huge decision to make with Jack Cole set to return from a head knock, but the Panthers coach has instead opted to keep young gun Blaize Talagi in the No.6 jersey.
That decision sees Brad Schneider retain his spot on the pine, while Mitch Kenny also returns from a shoulder injury with Luke Sommerton dropping out of the 17.
In a shock move, Izack Tago has been named on the bench with a new centre pairing of Casey McLean and Luke Garner named.
That decision could mark a shift in roles for Tago, who hasn’t been up to his usual standards to start the 2025 season.
The 23-year-old came through Penrith’s ranks as a back rower and began his NRL career on the bench.
The last time he started on the pine was in Round 22 of the 2021 season, before he then started the 2022 season as a centre and has since not featured elsewhere.
Tago is a powerful ballrunner and the Panthers have been desperate for some spark off the pine, with Spencer Leniu previously the man to provide electric runs off the bench.
While he didn’t play for Penrith during their 2024 premiership, having made a move to the Roosters, Cleary could look to Tago to play a similar role.
What’s more is his defence has let him down so far this season and a move to the middle would mean Tago would have to make less defensive decisions than on an edge.
TEAMS
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Nat Butcher 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 12. Siua Wong 15. Salesi Foketi 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 22. Taylor Losalu. 18th man: 20. Chad Townsend
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 16. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 10. Lindsay Smith 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Izack Tago. 18th man: 18. Daine Laurie
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