The third and last of Sunday’s NRL Round 8 matches is between Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers. The game is set to commence at 2:00pm local time with the game to be played at the Allianz Stadium. Home team Sydney Roosters go into the match as the clear favourites in the market in what looks to be a very one sided match. View our preview and teams for the game between Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers.

Allianz Stadium

Sunday, 3pm

Featured Bookmakers:

Sydney Roosters $1.12 vs Penrith Panthers $6.50 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Sydney Roosters $1.10 vs Penrith Panthers $7.00 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:

Sydney Roosters	1.12	1.14	1.10	1.14	1.12	1.13
Penrith Panthers	6.50	6.00	7.00	6.00	6.50	6.50

Preview:

The Sydney Roosters continued to stamp themselves as genuine contenders for this year’s title with their a 34-10 point win over the Dragons on Anzac Day last round.

The highlight of the Roosters game this season has been their defence. Outside of the Sea Eagles, they have the best defensive record in the competition having only conceded 74 points (10.5 per game) and on three occasions in the past five weeks, have kept their opponents scoreless.

The Roosters are 4-1 when playing at home this season and in their current form, against a side that is 0-3 when playing away this season, are every chance of improving that record. The Panthers recorded their first win since the opening round with a comprehensive 44-12 point victory of Parramatta on Monday night.

It will do their confidence good but they come up against arguably, the most inform team in the competition here and will struggle to keep in touch with the Roosters.

Teams:

Sydney Roosters:
Anthony Minichiello (c), Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Mitchell Aubusson, Sonny Bill Williams, Boyd Cordner Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Martin Kennedy, Aidan Guerra, Luke O’Donnell

Penrith Panthers:
Matt Moylan, Travis Robinson, Lewis Brown, Dean Whare, David Simmons, Tom Humble, Luke Walsh, Sam McKendry, Kevin Kingston (c), Tim Grant, Sika Manu, Matthew Robinson, Nigel Plum
Interchange: Adam Docker, Mose Masoe, James Segeyaro, Clint Newton, Nathan Smith (one to be omitted)

Panthers’ McKendry won’t need neck surgery

Penrith front-rower Sam McKendry will not require surgery after fracturing his neck on Monday night but a return date to the NRL is still uncertain.

McKendry, who has played seven Tests for New Zealand, sustained a stable C6 vertebrae fracture during the Panthers’ round seven win over Parramatta.

The 23-year-old on Friday saw a specialist who confirmed McKendry did not need an operation on the injury.

But the Panthers said they were unable to speculate when he will return to the field, “with forthcoming results to indicate how long he will be unable to play”.

McKendry has played all seven games so far this season but lasted just 30 minutes before leaving the field against the Eels.