BlueBet Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 2 NRL game between Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Penrith Panthers vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday March 9, 2023 at 7:50 pm
Where: BlueBet Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Odds
Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview
Penrith is in a very unfamiliar position after suffering a shock opening-round home loss, which followed on from an equally underwhelming World Club Challenge display.
It doesn’t get much easier for the two-time defending champs, hosting a definite premiership threat on Thursday night.
The Panthers’ 13-12 defeat to the Broncos was just their ninth in 69 regular-season games since the start of 2020 – and just their third at home during that period.
Their impatience and lack of cohesion on attack was very uncharacteristic and the new-look left edge is struggling to gel.
The Rabbitohs chalked up a 27-18 win over a Hynes-less Cronulla, with second-year halfback Lachlan Ilias’ polished all-round performance and two tries from Test centre Campbell Graham the highlights, it was also a gutsy effort after losing Tevita Tatola and Jai Arrow early.
Daniel Sukula-Fifita and Jed Cartwright come into Souths’ 17 for Tatola and Arrow, while Latrell Mitchell (knee) has been named.
The Panthers have lost Scott Sorensen to concussion, with Matt Eisenhuth joining the bench.
The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 against the Rabbitohs, including four times in the past 18 months – the 2021 Grand Final, two regular-season clashes last year and the preliminary final – with Penrith winning all four.
Souths had the champs on the ropes in the prelim before imploding late in the first half and crashing to a 32-12 defeat – they certainly will have a point to prove in this one.
The Panthers will click at some point and more minutes for livewire hooker Soni Luke could be a gamechanger for a misfiring attack, while maintaining their trademark defensive grit.
Souths will aim for greater consistency without the ball – they were exposed at times by an under-strength and erratic Sharks outfit – but they arrive at the foot of the mountains with their tails up and look a solid underdog bet.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping South Sydney Rabbitohs to win at $2.50 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Brian To'o at $8.25.
Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Teams
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Zac Hosking 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. Jack Cogger 22. Thomas Jenkins
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jed Cartwright 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell 18. Tallis Duncan 19. Terrell Kalo Kalo 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos