Panthers v Sharks: Round 1
Panthers v Sharks: McLean in for To'o; Stonestreet wings it
The Panthers will begin their quest for a fifth-straight NRL title under the bright lights of Las Vegas as they take on Cronulla in the final game of the NRL's season opener at Allegiant Stadium.
The clash is a rematch of last year's preliminary final, Penrith claiming a commanding 26-6 victory on the way to the title.
The Sharks have spent the summer focused on completing unfinished business and it's a mission that starts on Sunday afternoon.
It didn't take long for off-season recruit Addin Fonua-Blake to make an impression on his new teammates and the prop will look to dominate a Panthers pack loaded with talent.
Last year's Golden Boot winner Isaah Yeo will lead the premiers out as they chase a winning start to the year.
There was plenty of change over the summer in Penrith, with five-eighth Jarome Luai, prop James Fisher-Harris and winger Sunia Turuva all departing.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Round 1 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Sharks
12th Position
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Team News
Panthers: No late changes for the Panthers who launch their quest for a fifth straight premiership with superstars Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards all good to go after off-season surgery but Brian To'o missing due to a hamstring injury. Teen sensation Casey McLean comes in on the wing after scoring four tries on Test debut for the Kiwis in November while Paul Alamoti slots in on the other wing having overcome an elbow injury. The only change to the grand final pack is Lindsay Smith taking over from James Fisher-Harris at prop while former Tiger Isaiah Papalii, utility Daine Laurie, emerging prop Luron Patea and workhorse Matt Eisenhuth form a new-look interchange bench. Brad Schneider is 18th man, with reserves Blaize Talagi, Luke Sommerton and Jesse McLean omitted 24-hours from the match. Brad Schneider is 18th man.
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Tuku Hau Tapuha is the 18th man. With Sione Katoa facing an extended period out with a shoulder injury, Sam Stonestreet gets the nod on the wing after finishing 2024 in a flurry with seven tries in his last four games. Star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake leads a formidable pack that includes Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton and Cam McInnes, while Braden Hamlin-Uele and Tom Hazelton bring power off the bench. After missing the Sharks' preliminary final loss to the Panthers with an ankle injury Jesse Ramien is back on deck in the centres, with Siosifa Talakai going back to the bench. One day out from game day, the squad has been trimmed to 19, with Jayden Berrell, Billy Burns and Hohepa Puru omitted.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Round 1 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Casey McLeanWinger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Luke GarnerCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Paul AlamotiWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine LaurieInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Isaiah Papali'iInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luron PateaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Brad SchneiderReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won eight of their past nine games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have won only two of their past 11 Round 1 games.
- The Panthers have outscored the Sharks 96-6 in their past three clashes.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo scored eight tries in his last seven games of 2024.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
