Sunday’s NRL 2018 Round 21 match is between Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:10 local time with the game to be played at Panthers Stadium, Sydney. The home team Penrith Panthers are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders.
When: 16:10 | Sunday 05/08/2018
Where: Panthers Stadium, Sydney
Preview:
After getting out of jail last week against the Sea Eagles the Panthers will need to be much better in this game.
The Raiders have proven that scoring points has been a real highlight for them and they’re leading the comp in this area.
What has let them down though is their ill-discipline and errors.
If they can get all this right they could really bother some sides in their run to the finish of 2018.
The Panthers are still trying to fix a few spots and positions that are vacant due to injury, something that’s really hurt them.
Tyronne Peachey found himself at fullback and is again there this week.
It’s handy to have such a versatile player in your squad and I think he’ll be a real asset in this area.
As for the Raiders, I’m not real sure what to say.
Thrashed by Melbourne proved where they are at but they could also be capable of an upset if they get it right.
One of the big underachievers this year.
KEY BATTLE: Panthers forwards v Raiders forwards
The battle of the two biggest forward packs in the league will be an intriguing one.
The winner of this will provide the victory.
The Verdict
I like the Panthers, who lead the Raiders 10-8 since 2010, to win in a high scoring but close encounter.
Unibet Odds:
Penrith Panthers at $1.38
Canberra Raiders at $3.05
Odds:
Tip: Penrith Panthers at $1.48
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Josh Mansour at $9.50
More Info:
Teams:
Penrith Panthers:
1 Tyrone Peachey, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6 James Maloney (c), 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris
Interchange: 14 Tyrone May, 15 Trent Merrin, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Reserves: 18 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 19 Kaide Ellis, 20 Christian Crichton, 21 Wayde Egan.
Canberra Raiders: 
1 Nick Cotric, 2 Brad Abbey, 3 Blake Austin, 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Aidan Sezer, 7 Sam Williams, 8 Iosia Soliola, 9 Josh Hodgson (c), 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii
Interchange: 14 Dunamis Lui, 15 Shannon Boyd, 16 Siliva Havili, 17 Luke Bateman
Reserves: 18 Liam Knight, 19 Jack Murchie, 20 Makahesi Makatoa, 21 Emre Guler.
NRL News:
Reagan Campbell-Gillard not only had surgery on his jaw, but his entire game as well.
The Penrith star admits having to alter his running style when he makes his anticipated return from a seven-week absence because of a broken jaw.
Campbell-Gillard took part in his first full contact session in an open training run in front of Panthers fans at St Marys Leagues club on Tuesday.
But he admits having reservations about his comeback, with a final decision only to be determined following Saturday’s captain’s run.
“They say the bone doesn’t heal for another three months,” Campbell-Gillard said.
“I feel I’m ready to go but it’s just trying to get the head around it, getting the contact in, feeling my way back through it. We’ll make the decision Saturday and see what happens on Sunday.”
The 24-year-old is so cautious about his jaw – he had two metal plates inserted – that he refuses to ask his surgeon about the result of another knock.
He only wants the answer to come on Sunday.
“I haven’t asked the question yet. He said it shouldn’t break, but rugby league can be a cruel sport and anything can happen to the body,” he said.
“If I had that mindset going into the game, thinking that it’s not healed, I shouldn’t be playing.”
While broken jaws aren’t a rarity in rugby league, the Kangaroos representative openly concedes having to change his front-on approach to hit-ups.
The injury was suffered after a head clash with Sydney Roosters hardman Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, shattering his dream of finishing his maiden State of Origin series.
Renowned for his long run-ups for his carries, Campbell-Gillard said he was now more mindful of how he takes the ball into the defensive line.
“Looking back at the Roosters game, I could’ve avoided the collision. The team was in a tough spot there and I thought I’d try and spark something. But I came off second best,” he said.
“I’ve got to change a few things in my game to obviously not get injured again.
“It’s probably just trying to find more gaps instead of running straight. That’s something I’ve got to work on and change.”
