Friday’s NRL 2018 Finals Week 2 match is between Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:40 local time with the game to be played at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. The away team Penrith Panthers are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers.
When: 19:40 | Friday 14/09/2018
Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Preview:
The Panthers have had a year which has had absolutely everything and there’s no doubt if they can repeat their game from last week that they can give this competition a shake.
Their completion rate was outstanding and everything seemed to click for them.
The Sharks were well in the battle last week but injury and missed opportunities cost them.
When you’re playing the top teams, opportunities don’t come that often and if you don’t capitalise on that, it could be the difference.
Losing Wade Graham on the weekend is a massive loss, not only for their leadership but also for their left-hand edge attack which has been so potent this year.
September requires you to have your best side on the park with some luck.
Look at the Panthers for example.
The return of Jimmy Maloney and his experience in big games was on show for all to see.
Look for him to drive the bus again for this very talented young group.
They’ll need to be good to take on the experienced and hardened Sharkies.
I’m leaning towards the Panthers in this one based on the confidence they would have got from last week.
The Sharks are a quality team and will fight hard and if it’s a close one, I feel they could grab victory but I sense the Panthers could cause another upset.
KEY BATTLE: Luke Lewis v Viliame Kikau
I’m looking forward to seeing Viliame Kikau and Luke Lewis going head-to-head.
One is the ultimate competitor in this arena and the other just new and fresh.
Look for some old tactics to come to the forefront.
The Verdict
In a close affair, I feel the Panthers will get up.
Penrith has a 16-8-2 (65.4 percent) O/U record as an away team since 2017.
Unibet Odds:
Cronulla at $1.65
Penrith at $2.25
Odds:
Tip: Penrith Panthers at $2.20
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Waqa Blake at $14.00
More Info:
Teams:
Cronulla Sharks:
1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Josh Dugan 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Edrick Lee 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Paul Gallen 14. Kurt Capewell 15. James Segeyaro 16. Aaron Woods 17. Jayson Bukuya 18. Jesse Ramien 19. Ava Seumanufagai 20. Joseph Paulo 21. Kyle Flanagan
TEAM NEWS – Wade Graham (ACL, season) is out of the side with Scott Sorensen to start in the back row for him, Kurt Capewell returning on the bench.
Penrith Panthers: 
1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Christian Crichton 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Trent Merrin 9. Sione Katoa 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris 14. Tyrone May 15. Moses Leota 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. James Tamou 18. Wayde Egan 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Kaide Ellis 21. Tyrone Phillips
TEAM NEWS – No changes.
NRL News:
Penrith weapon Viliame Kikau has revealed how he drew inspiration from former captain Peter Wallace to play through an elbow injury in last week’s elimination final.
With the Panthers on the cusp of being knocked out of the finals, Kikau ignored medical advice to rest an elbow issue he picked up in the final minute of their final-round win over Melbourne.
“The doctor told the coach what was going on with my elbow, how the X-ray showed I had torn two ligaments in my elbow and that I shouldn’t play,” Kikau told AAP.
He said he was stirred by the bravery of Wallace, who retired midway through the year following revelations he had played without an ACL for the past two years.
Kikau, whose 134m against the Warriors was the most by a Panthers forward, recalled how Wallace had also gritted his way through a similar elbow injury in 2016.
“‘Wal did the same thing two years ago at exactly the same time – the week before the finals. But he just got it heavily strapped and played through it.
“He actually told me to rest it for a week but after watching what he’s been through, I wanted to play. Coach left the decision to me and I’d do anything for this team in the finals.”
After making just nine appearances in his rookie season last year, the Fijian powerhouse has been a revelation on the Panthers’ left edge in his second campaign.
He minutes have dramatically risen from 21 to 69 per game, as have his tackle breaks (five to 75), line breaks (one to 10), line break assists (one to eight) and offloads (three to 40).
“I’ve just worked hard and it’s boosted my confidence. I have a voice in the team now,” he said.
“I played a handful last year and averaged nine minutes a game. I knew I had the potential but now I’m playing 80 minutes week in, week out.
“If someone told me last year I’d be doing what I am today, and playing in the finals, I’d have laughed. Now I just want to make the most of it.”
