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Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers: 2020 Trials
Author
Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter
Penrith made a positive start to the year at the NRL Nines last weekend and will look to build on that against the Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
Both sides narrowly missed the finals in 2019 so this clash at Panthers Stadium offers the opportunity to test new combinations and structures before the season proper kicks off next month.
Provided they're both chosen to play, it will be interesting to see the dynamic between new full-time Penrith halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, who have chemistry from their junior days.
Having recruited well over the summer, a number of positions are up for grabs at the Tigers - including fullback, second row, centre and hooker - and standout trial form may dictate who gets first crack.
The Tigers are set to field a side comprised mostly of Canterbury Cup NSW players with a handful of NRL talent.
The Rundown
Casualty ward
Penrith Panthers: Second-row recruit Kurt Capewell will have to wait an extra week to make his Panthers debut after sustaining a minor quad strain. Young fullback Charlie Staines has been restricted by a low-grade hamstring strain but could suit up. The club has said that inspirational lock James Fisher-Harris is likely to feature in the trials following pectoral surgery last October. Hooker Mitch Kenny (elbow), Dean Blore (shoulder), Shawn Blore (ACL) and Brayden McGrady (ACL) are unavailable and will miss the start of the season. Zane Tetevano and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak are on All Stars duty.
Wests Tigers: Outside back Paul Momirovski sprained his ankle at the NRL Nines and will miss 2-3 weeks, robbing him of the chance to press his claims. Prop Russell Packer (foot) is unlikely to play, while hooker Jacob Liddle (ACL) is confined to watching.
The big question
Penrith Panthers: Can Josh Mansour rediscover his mojo? Barely two years ago Mansour was close to the best winger in the league but some horror injuries have taken their toll. With Brian To'o now ensconced in first grade and some other young guns on the rise, Mansour needs to hit the ground running. A solid Nines tournament was a good start.
Wests Tigers: Who plays hooker? With a proposed swap deal between Paul Momirovski and Melbourne rake Harry Grant likely to fall through, the Tigers are no closer to solving their No.9 problem created by Robbie Farah's retirement. Jacob Liddle is injured long-term, seemingly leaving Josh Reynolds, Moses Mbye and Billy Walters to duke it out. Reynolds and Mbye have more NRL runs on the board but Walters - who can also play in the halves - starred at the Nines and can continue his case for selection on Saturday night. Jake Simpkin is another option, though he's currently on a development deal.
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/02/18/penrith-panthers-v-wests-tigers-2020-trials/
Author
Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter
Penrith made a positive start to the year at the NRL Nines last weekend and will look to build on that against the Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
Both sides narrowly missed the finals in 2019 so this clash at Panthers Stadium offers the opportunity to test new combinations and structures before the season proper kicks off next month.
Provided they're both chosen to play, it will be interesting to see the dynamic between new full-time Penrith halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, who have chemistry from their junior days.
Having recruited well over the summer, a number of positions are up for grabs at the Tigers - including fullback, second row, centre and hooker - and standout trial form may dictate who gets first crack.
The Tigers are set to field a side comprised mostly of Canterbury Cup NSW players with a handful of NRL talent.
The Rundown
Casualty ward
Penrith Panthers: Second-row recruit Kurt Capewell will have to wait an extra week to make his Panthers debut after sustaining a minor quad strain. Young fullback Charlie Staines has been restricted by a low-grade hamstring strain but could suit up. The club has said that inspirational lock James Fisher-Harris is likely to feature in the trials following pectoral surgery last October. Hooker Mitch Kenny (elbow), Dean Blore (shoulder), Shawn Blore (ACL) and Brayden McGrady (ACL) are unavailable and will miss the start of the season. Zane Tetevano and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak are on All Stars duty.
Wests Tigers: Outside back Paul Momirovski sprained his ankle at the NRL Nines and will miss 2-3 weeks, robbing him of the chance to press his claims. Prop Russell Packer (foot) is unlikely to play, while hooker Jacob Liddle (ACL) is confined to watching.
The big question
Penrith Panthers: Can Josh Mansour rediscover his mojo? Barely two years ago Mansour was close to the best winger in the league but some horror injuries have taken their toll. With Brian To'o now ensconced in first grade and some other young guns on the rise, Mansour needs to hit the ground running. A solid Nines tournament was a good start.
Wests Tigers: Who plays hooker? With a proposed swap deal between Paul Momirovski and Melbourne rake Harry Grant likely to fall through, the Tigers are no closer to solving their No.9 problem created by Robbie Farah's retirement. Jacob Liddle is injured long-term, seemingly leaving Josh Reynolds, Moses Mbye and Billy Walters to duke it out. Reynolds and Mbye have more NRL runs on the board but Walters - who can also play in the halves - starred at the Nines and can continue his case for selection on Saturday night. Jake Simpkin is another option, though he's currently on a development deal.
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/02/18/penrith-panthers-v-wests-tigers-2020-trials/
