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Dominic Brock | rugbyleaguelive.com | 24/07/08 | 0
AUDIO - Talking tips with Andrew Moore
Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers
Saturday 26th July, 7.30pm
CUA Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer
HEAD TO HEAD
Played 14, Panthers 10 wins, Tigers 4 wins.
FORM GUIDE
Panthers: LLWWLWBLWWBWLLLDWLW
Tigers: WWLLLWWLBWWLWLLLBLW
This is a critical game for two teams on the edge of the top eight, both coming off last-start wins but battling some shaky form.
Remarkably, the Panthers haven’t won at home for 10 weeks but are staying alive on the back of some solid away form, with wins over the struggling Cowboys, Eels and Titans.
They’ll host a Tigers side who snapped a four game losing streak in style against the Rabbitohs, with Benji Marshall blasting back to his best form.
He looms as the gamebreaker here, with his combination with halfback Robbie Farah the key to Wests’ chances.
Skipper Brett Hodgson is back for the visitors with Tim Moltzen making way, while the Panthers have an unchanged lineup except for former Test winger Luke Rooney coming into the squad as 18th man.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Can Penrith handle more Marshall magic?
KEY MATCH UPS
Luke Lewis v Robbie Farah
Lewis has helped the Panthers to eighth place with some inspired performances from halfback after making a stunningly effective switch from the outside backs.
His opposite number this week has also undergone a positional switch – moved into the 7 jersey from hooker by coach Tim Sheens – but Farah is no stranger to playmaking duties.
The dual between the pair will be great to watch and key to the team’s chances.
Michael Jennings v Chris Lawrence
These are two of the league’s most talented young centres, with Jennings really coming into form this year and Lawrence backing up from a stunning tryscoring record in 2007.
Both lead their teams with nine tries this season, and will be out to get the upper hand in what could be a high scoring clash.
COACHES CORNER
Tim Sheens seemed to have got things just about right last week, with Robbie Farah organising the team from halfback, John Morris and Stuart Flanagan combining at hooker and a confident Benji Marshall wreaking havoc outside Farah.
Penrith’s big men will be Sheens’ main concern this week, with workaholic Petero Civoniceva and a rampaging Frank Pritchard in great form.
With support from internationals Tony Puletua and Trent Waterhouse, the Panthers pack could just about run over the Tigers.
Wests will try to exploit the Panthers’ big men, with Farah, Marshall, Morris and Flanagan scheming around the centre of the ruck.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Penrith $1.65 – Tigers $2.20
Last week the Tigers outclassed a South Sydney side that had just won five straight, and they probably take the better form into this match.
Since their round 6 golden-point win over the Sharks, Penrith's wins ahve come against the traval-scared Warriors in Penrith, injury-wrecked Bulldogs, Cowboys and Titans sides and the free-falling Eels.
The Tigers, meanwhile, have had some average results in recent weeks but are coming into form, and look a decent bet for an upset this week.
For those after a gamble, Wests winger Taniela Tuiaki has opened the scoring for the Tigers in each of his last three games – take a punt on him for First Tryscorer.
CASUALTY WARD
Panthers: Josh Bateman – pectoral (Rnd 21)
Tigers: Ryan O’Hara – jaw (indefinite), Todd Payten – hamstring (indefinite), Shannon McDonnell – hamstring (Round 21), Danny Galea – ankle (season), Mathew Head – shoulder & thumb (Round 21), Dean Collis – knee (Round 24).
BAD BOYS
Panthers: (no suspensions)
Tigers: (no suspensions)
TEAM LISTS
Panthers: Rhys Wesser, Lachlan Coote, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Michael Gordon, Wade Graham, Luke Lewis, Tony Puletua, Luke Priddis, Petero Civoniceva (c), Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse, Nathan Smith. Interchange: Matthew Bell, Junior Moors, Maurice Blair, Masada Iosefa, Luke Rooney (one to be omitted).
Tigers: Brett Hodgson (c), Taniela Tuiaki, Dene Halatau, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, John Morris, Bryce Gibbs, Bronson Harrison, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton. Interchange: Stuart Flanagan, Ben Te'o, Corey Payne, Daine Laurie.
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