Panthers v Rabbitohs: Mansour out; Roberts to return
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The Panthers' clash with South Sydney Rabbitohs has been moved to Netstrata Jubilee Oval following concerns about the playing surface at Campbelltown Stadium.
The NRL informed Panthers of its decision to relocate the game on Monday afternoon.
The club is now in the process of confirming capacity for sponsors and members to potentially attend Thursday's fixture.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the game would be played on a fresh surface.
“Campbelltown Stadium has had an extremely heavy workload over the last month, with some games played in wet conditions. The staff at Campbelltown Stadium have done an excellent job hosting a number of teams," he said.
One of just two all-top-eight clashes on offer in round seven pits the impressive Panthers against the resurgent Rabbitohs.
Ivan Cleary's men hit back from a narrow round five loss to the Eels with one of the team performances of the season to date to upset the Storm last week and move to equal second on the Telstra Premiership ladder.
The Bunnies have recovered from losses to the Roosters and Storm with big wins over the struggling Titans and Warriors, with Cody Walker's return and the ever-improving Latrell Mitchell inspiring a points avalanche over the past fortnight.
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Round 7 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
9th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Panthers: Josh Mansour is a late withdrawal for the Panthers, with Brent Naden to start on the wing. Mansour and Tyrone May were the two players left out an hour before kick-off. Mitch Kenny and Jack Hetherington were the two players dropped from the bench 24 hours before kick-off. The Panthers have won three of their past four games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Rabbitohs: Centre James Roberts' return is confirmed after Mark Nicholls and Troy Dargan were the last two players dropped from the squad an hour before kick-off. Bench forward Tom Amone is out after suffering a serious knee injury against the Warriors. Patrick Mago and Corey Allan were the two players omitted the day before the match. Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored four tries in his past three games.
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Round 7 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean WhareCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Braidon Burns
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Winger for Panthers is number 19 Brent NadenWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Alex Johnston
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 James TamouProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'a
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Ethan Lowe
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Matt BurtonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Liam Knight
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Zane TetevanoInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Bayley Sironen
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses LeotaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 James Roberts
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy BurnsInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Hame Sele
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Nathan Cleary v Adam Reynolds. The two generals are arguably the most important players on their respective teams and each was in imperious touch in round six.
Reynolds carved over for a try and booted six goals in a match where his running game came to the fore against the Warriors while Cleary had a try assist, one clutch late field goal and nearly 600 kick metres in a match-winning effort against the Storm.
