Panthers v Raiders: Staines sidelined; Nicoll-Klokstad returns
The ladder-leading Panthers have the chance to equal their club record of eight straight wins when they host the Raiders on Saturday night.
Penrith dismantled Manly last round to keep themselves one point ahead of the Eels and Storm in the minor premiership race.
Canberra, boosted by the returns of John Bateman and Curtis Scott, made it three on the trot by beating the Cowboys.
Coach Ricky Stuart conceded his fifth-placed team were lucky to win. They'll need to step it up a notch as they hunt for a top four position.
Match: Panthers v Raiders
Round 13 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Raiders
5th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: A late change for the Panthers with winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak dropping out. Brent Naden shifts from centre to wing and Tyrone May moves from the bench to the centres. Development player Daine Laurie will make his NRL debut off the bench.
Mitch Kenny and Matt Burton were cut from the reserves 24 hours before kick-off. Billy Burns was omitted an hour before kick-off.
Penrith are aiming to equal their 2003 club record of eight consecutive wins.
Raiders: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been confirmed to return from a dislocated finger at fullback, with Jordan Rapana shifting to the wing and the injured Semi Valemei dropping out.
Veteran Michael Oldfield has overcome a hamstring injury and has been included on an extended bench, giving coach Ricky Stuart some much-needed outside back cover. Canberra has scored at least 30 points in their past three games against the Panthers.
Kai O'Donnell and Matt Frawley were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. Sam Williams and Michael Oldfield were cut an hour before game time.
Match: Panthers v Raiders
Round 13 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Caleb AekinsFullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh MansourWinger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
-
Centre for Panthers is number 14 Tyrone MayCentre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis Scott
-
Winger for Panthers is number 3 Brent NadenWinger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 James TamouProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Raiders is number 9 Siliva Havili
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Raiders is number 13 Hudson Young
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses LeotaInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Joseph Tapine
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Zane TetevanoInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Ryan Sutton
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 21 Daine LaurieInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Viliame Kikau v John Bateman. These star second-rowers had an enthralling battle when they faced off in Wagga last season. Bateman suffered a broken eye-socket that game in a head clash with Kikau.
Billy Kiks has been a huge part of Penrith's success this season while Bateman showed his class on the right edge when he returned from a shoulder injury last week.
Stat Attack
The Panthers boast the best completion rate in the competition (83 per cent) and have spent the most time in possession of anyone this season (55 per cent). Canberra (78 per cent completion rate, 50 per cent possession) have sometimes made things hard for themselves.
