Saturday has three NRL matches with the first game for Round 1 is between Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights with the opening kick to commence at 4.30pm (AEDT). The game is to be played at Sportingbet Stadium with the favourite for the match being Penrith Panthers. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights.
WHERE AND WHEN: Sportingbet Stadium, Penrith, Saturday March 8, 4.30pm (AEDT)
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Odds Comparison:
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| Penrith Panthers | 1.77 | 1.75 | 1.67 | 1.75 | 1.77 | 1.72 |
| Newcastle Knights | 2.05 | 2.10 | 2.20 | 2.10 | 2.05 | 2.10 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Preview:
The Panthers have been active in the recruiting department during the off-season and lured to Penrith, among others, Jamal Idris, Brent Kite and halves pairing of Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward. All four have been named in the starting the starting line-up for the season opening this Saturday at Centrebet Stadium.
$250 Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights FREE BET
Whilst the halves combination is a new one, both are experienced play-makers who should combine well and quickly.
Penrith only won half of their home games last year and proved to be a hard team for punters to follow with any great confidence.
They’ll need more consistency in their game if they are to make the finals for only the second time since 2005 and some big game experience in key positions should ensure they produce competitive efforts week in, week out.
Newcastle will start the season without key pivot Jarrod Mullin who is out for up to ten weeks after tearing a hamstring at the Auckland Nines Tournament. It capped off what has been a rough off-season for the Knights and follows on from Willie Mason’s charge for drink-driving and forward Russell Packer imprisonment for assault.
The Knights will be keen to get on with the task of playing football and put such distractions well and truly behind them. They’ll travel to Penrith knowing they’ve taken the home-side in each of the last five occasions the two sides have met since 2011 – twice here at Centrebet Stadium.
The Knights have an experienced forward pack which for this game, includes Captain Kurt Gidley who takes on the role of hooker.
Despite their dominant record in past years and the new look line up of the home side, the Panthers can prevail here with a halves pairing that gives them options and a strong kicking game.
The combination of the home ground advantage and the absence of Jarrod Mullin from Newcastle, tip this game in the Panther’s favour.
Teams:
Penrith Panthers:
Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Dave Simmons, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace (c), Brent Kite, Kevin Kingston(c), Tim Grant, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor, Adam Docker
Interchange: James Segeyaro, Nigel Plum, Tyrone Peachey, Sam McKendry, Jeremy Latimore (one to be omitted)
Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Michael Dobson, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Kurt Gidley (c), Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith
Interchange: Travis Waddell, Chris Houston, Alex McKinnon, Adam Cuthbertson, David Fa’alogo (one to be omitted)
In the news:
Star centre Jamal Idris has been ruled out of Penrith’s round one NRL match on Saturday with a hamstring injury.
The Panthers’ key off-season recruit suffered the injury in the side’s final trial game against NSW Cup side Newtown two weeks ago.
He was named in coach Ivan Cleary’s side on Tuesday to make his Panthers debut against Newcastle but he hasn’t recovered sufficiently to take the field at Penrith.
“It looks like Jamal won’t make it tomorrow. We have basically ruled him out today,” Cleary said on Friday.
“It is unfortunate but it is a long season. He worked really hard to get right but he is not quite there.
“We will finalise a replacement tomorrow.”
Wes or Kevin Naiqama are likely to come into the Panthers side for Idris.
Five-eighth Jamie Soward (ankle) and prop Tim Grant (ribs) were in doubt but both trained on Friday and Cleary said they were ready to play.
Penrith have recruited as effectively as any other club in the off-season and, with Idris sidelined, all eyes will be on the Panthers’ new halves combination of Soward and Peter Wallace as they seek to emerge as finals contenders after several disappointing seasons.
“They will both share the playmaking load. Both of them are very experienced and so far in practice they have been working very well together,” Cleary said.
“They are different personalities. They are like the odd couple in some ways but I think they will go pretty well.”
Newcastle start the season without key playmaker Jarrod Mullen (hamstring).
Captain Kurt Gidley will slot into the hooking role following the retirement of club legend Danny Buderus.
Utility forward Jeremy Smith remains in doubt with a knee problem.
“Their squad is similar to last year with a couple of key guys missing but we will see how that goes. We are definitely expecting a tough game,” Cleary said.
“Kurt will be the same as he has always played. He is very competitive.
“I’m sure he will do a good job tomorrow but if we can get our own game in order and put pressure on them, we will certainly give ourselves a chance.”