Refreshed from a week off, the Panthers return to action in Bathurst against a Wests Tigers side eager to halt a two-game winless run.
The bye in Round 6 probably came at a good time for Penrith, following a loss to the Sea Eagles in which they finally showed the signs of a growing injury toll.
While they are no guarantee of getting star halfback Nathan Cleary or key forward Scott Sorensen back, the week off will have done hobbled five-eighth Jarome Luai no harm.
The Wests Tigers meanwhile failed to score over 17 points for the fourth time in five games this season in a loss to the Dragons last week, with Benji Marshall’s men now in danger of losing much of the positive momentum generated by back-to-back wins in Rounds 3 and 4.
Despite having finished at the opposite end of the ladder to the Panthers in the last few seasons, the Wests Tigers actually have a favourable record against Ivan Cleary’s heavyweights, having won two of their past four against Penrith, including their lone meeting last year.
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
- The Panthers have won their past 10 daytime games.
- Wests Tigers have defeated the Panthers three times in their past seven clashes.
- The Panthers have won only two of their past five games in Bathurst.
- Wests Tigers have conceded only five second-half tries (ranked No.1 in the NRL).
- Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored six tries in his past four games.