NRL 2023. Sydney Roosters, Penrith Panthers, round 15 match preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 10 Jun 2023, 06:35 PM

The Panthers find themselves in familiar territory on top of the NRL ladder but the loss of superstar Nathan Cleary to a hamstring injury is set to test their depth and resolve for the next month.

The club confirmed on Monday that Cleary was facing up to six weeks on the sideline after injuring his hamstring against the Dragons, and with several other stars involved in State of Origin, life is about to get a whole lot tougher for the defending champs.

The Panthers face the Roosters, Cowboys, Knights and Storm before a bye in Round 19 and will look to the likes of Jack Cogger and Jaeman Salmon to step up in Cleary's absence.

The Roosters also have their challenges through the Origin period but for this weekend's clash they have Blues skipper James Tedesco and Maroons prop Lindsay Collins on deck to try and build some momentum heading into the second half of the season.

It is only four weeks since these two sides last met, the Panthers running amok in a 48-4 smashing at BlueBet Stadium to register their seventh win in games against the Roosters.

With Tedesco back to his brilliant best against the Bulldogs and Luke Keary showing some nice touches in the halves, the Roosters will fancy their chances of springing an upset on home soil.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Roosters v Panthers

Team News

Roosters: Drew Hutchison comes into the centres in place of Billy Smith an hour before kick-off and Zach Dockar-Clay the new 18th Man. Joseph Suaalii's three-game ban for Dangerous Contact sees Corey Allan shift to the centres with Daniel Tupou returning from a hamstring injury on the wing. Tupou, who needs four tries to become the club's greatest ever tryscorer, has not played since Round 7. Last week's debutant Sandon Smith retains his place on the bench.

Panthers: A late change with Zac Hosking being rested, Liam Martin joining the starting side and Soni Luke added to the bench in jersey No.22. Jack Cogger takes the reins at halfback following Nathan Cleary's hamstring injury. Jaeman Salmon joins the interchange bench.

Round 15 - Round 15 - Saturday 10 Jun

Full Time

Roosters

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Corey Allan

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Fetalaiga Pauga

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Joseph Manu

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jack Cogger

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Turpin

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher

2nd Row for Panthers is number 14 Liam Martin
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Sitili Tupouniua

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith

Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan Brown

Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Angus Crichton

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Matthew Lodge

Interchange for Panthers is number 22 Soni Luke

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 19 Zach Dockar-Clay

Replacement for Panthers is number 19 Luke Garner

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:47 AM

Stat Attack

Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards leads the NRL for tackle breaks with 85.
The Panthers boast the best defence in the NRL, conceding just 12 points per game, while the Roosters are giving up 22.5 points per game.
After 14 rounds last year the Roosters sat eighth with a 7-7 record before going on to finish sixth. They currently sit ninth with a 6-6 record.
The Roosters have won five from six at their new Allianz Stadium headquarters.
Roosters winger Jaxson Paulo has scored five tries in his past four games at Allianz Stadium.
The Panthers have won nine of their past 11 games without Nathan Cleary
Roosters fullback James Tedesco has scored four tries in his past two games.