Sat 18th Feb: World Club Challenge: Penrith Panthers v St Helens KO 7:00 (UK Time) (Sky/C4)

[John Drake]

Discuss Penrith Panthers v St Helens here.

[Davo5]

Penrith 28-12 Saints 

[Hughsehhh]

Reluctantly said Penrith, though would love to see Saints win it.

I think the factor that Wellens coming in for his first competitive match is a key and under-discussed factor. I remember being at the WCC a few years back when saints hosted the Rabbitohs. Cunningham's first competitive game after taking on a GF winning side and they got nilled at home 

[Wakey Til I Die]

Panthers by 12. 

[hunsletgreenandgold]

I think Saints will relatively hold their own for the first half and wouldn't shock me for them to be leading early. Reckon Panthers will get stronger and more dominant as the game goes on. 

34-16 Panthers. 

[GeordieSaint]

Can’t see us getting too close… we’ll be competitive though. But we lack pace in the backline to cause any serious damage.

Edited February 13 by GeordieSaint

[Mr Frisky]

Think Penrith should win against a very good Saints team but as Saints are 6-1 its worth a punt. Hope its a great game and a SL win to awake things up.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

Saints by 2 scores 

Now, how does it go again 

Oh when the Saints, oh when the Saints....

What's the nearest Saints colours everyone who is not a Saint has in thier RL jersey collections?

[dkw]

Even in conditions to suit them Saints would have to play a perfect game to beat them, in the expected heat an humidity its a near on impossible task unfortunately. 

I can see them giving the panthers a good game until maybe 20 to go then panthers will run a few in to win fairly comfortably in the end.

[Johnny Ringo]

37 degrees forecast for that afternoon, it will sap the legs of most of the players but St Helens will feel it more than the Panthers. I'd say a decent competitive first 40 then a fair margin win for the home team after 80. Hoping I get it wrong though. 

[Sports Prophet]

I really hope for a Saints win, but if I had to put my house on it, then I’d be going Panthers 24-0

[Harry Stottle]

17 hours ago, Hughsehhh said:

Reluctantly said Penrith, though would love to see Saints win it.

I think the factor that Wellens coming in for his first competitive match is a key and under-discussed factor. I remember being at the WCC a few years back when saints hosted the Rabbitohs. Cunningham's first competitive game after taking on a GF winning side and they got nilled at home 

Big massive difference between Wellens and Cunningham is that the latter was completely and totally useless with a track suit on, I doubt Wellens will hit those dizzy depths, still saying that at least a 12 point margin in favour of the Panthers BUT even if it gets much higher than that I doubt as the season progresses we will see much difference in Saints position in the SL.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Looks like the kick off has been changed to help combat the heat:

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/world-club-challenge-st-helens-penrith-panthers-2/
 

@John Drake

[Futtocks]

1 hour ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Looks like the kick off has been changed to help combat the heat:

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/world-club-challenge-st-helens-penrith-panthers-2/
 

@John Drake

And a bit longer in bed for us Poms.

[Dunbar]

Some encouragement for Saints in the team listings. 

With Edwards out, I don't think Stephen Crichton is a particularly good full back and so Saints can exploit some of his weaknesses.

It also means a relative rookie in the centre as Sunia Turuva only has 3 NRL appearances.

And in the back row, Luke Garner and Zac Hosking are not the same threat as the NRL winning Liam Martin and Viliami Kikau.

Finally the loss of Api Koroisau means that they go in with Mitch Kenny at 9 and no specialist 9 in the rest of the 17.

Penrith still heavy favourites but I think the gap has closed somewhat. 

Edited February 14 by Dunbar

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

Panthers by 18 (at least).

[MZH]

Probably Penrith, but they aren't invincible like some would have you believe, and if Saints play well they have a chance.

However, I'll go Penrith by 10

[Hughsehhh]

6 hours ago, Harry Stottle said:

Big massive difference between Wellens and Cunningham is that the latter was completely and totally useless with a track suit on, I doubt Wellens will hit those dizzy depths, still saying that at least a 12 point margin in favour of the Panthers BUT even if it gets much higher than that I doubt as the season progresses we will see much difference in Saints position in the SL.

Yes, but said with the benefit of hindsight. I'm not a saints fan, so indifferent to how Wellens does long term (albeit a GB legend), but no-one really knows yet just how good a coach he'll be

[FearTheVee]

Good to hear the Saints lads nto having any of the heat chat:

Saints full-back Jack Welsby said: “The heat is what it is. We’ve had a lot of comments saying it is going to be hot.

"We’ve been here for two weeks now and it has been hot all of the time. Even when it has been raining its been hot.

“When I’ve played a Wembley against Hull and in semi-finals in the middle of August it was hot. It gets hot pitchside at Wembley so its something we’re used to and a challenge we’re looking forward to.”

Saints half-back Jonny Lomax said: “You never really know until it comes around and you adapt but it won’t be the first time we’ve played in really hot conditions and I’ve no doubt it won’t be the last.

“You’ve just got to try and do the best things through the week to make sure you are in the best position possible. It’s just another new experience, embrace it, don’t moan about it and get after the opportunity that’s there.”

Here's hoping having another couple of games in the legs compared to the Panthers will help level the conditions a little.

Edited February 14 by FearTheVee

[Farmduck]

Kick-off pushed back 50 mins later.

 

The National Rugby League will adjust the kick-off times to NRL Pre-Season matches on Saturday, including the World Club Challenge between the Panthers and St Helens at BlueBet Stadium.

GAMEDAY GUIDE: Everything you need to know

The decision was made due to player safety concerns around the forecasted heat and humidity in regional NSW and Western Sydney.

https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/news/2023/02/14/kick-off-time-changed-for-world-club-challenge/

Edited February 14 by Farmduck

[graveyard johnny]

with the ko delay - the water breaks and is there golden point? not to mention post-match celebrations would it be advisable for anyone recording the game eg on ch4 to also record a couple of episodes of the Simpsons that are on the original days schedule in case of over run? similar with the sky broadcast 

[graveyard johnny]

like I mentioned in the thread just locked - I don't think there are many players in the modern game who can be classed as irreplaceable, but  Kikou has to be one of them - the panthers can not possibly be as good without him monstering the game 

[graveyard johnny]

also - when origin has been on and the panthers have had several stars missing they have looked extremely ordinary to say the least - so with the departed and injured taken in to account then CMON SAINTS!

[Mr Frisky]

39 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

like I mentioned in the thread just locked - I don't think there are many players in the modern game who can be classed as irreplaceable, but  Kikou has to be one of them - the panthers can not possibly be as good without him monstering the game 

Same with Roby really - Saints have been spoilt in the past 25 years in his position.

[Josef K]

Penrith by 36pts.