The Penrith Panthers have copped a massive blow ahead of the grand final, as one of their star forwards was ruled out with a knee injury.
The Penrith Panthers will have to overcome the South Sydney Rabbitohs without the help of star forward Tevita Pangai Jr, who misses the grand final due to a knee injury.
Pangai Jr suffered ligament damage to his knee in the Panthers’ stunning preliminary final win over the Storm, and is replaced by Moses Leota in the line-up.
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It also means the 25-year-old will have played his last game for the Panthers, as he links up with the Canterbury Bulldogs for next season.
However, Panthers flyer Brian To’o has been named in the starting squad despite nursing an ankle injury.
To’o returned from injury last weekend against the Storm, and managed to score a try in his comeback game.
He was jokingly pushed around in a wheelchair by Viliame Kikau on Monday, but To’o still had his ankle heavily strapped.
For the Rabbitohs, they are sweating over the fitness of star halfback Adam Reynolds.
Reynolds, who plays his last game for the Bunnies before making the move up north to the Brisbane Broncos, was unable to take kicks at goal in their preliminary final against the Sea Eagles.
Young gun Blake Taaffe took over the goalkicking duties from Reynolds against Manly, and would likely take the reins again should Reynolds fail to complete kicks in practice.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 3
Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, 7.30pm at Suncorp Stadium
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone May 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Liam Martin 18. Brent Naden 19. Mitch Kenny 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Charlie Staines
Rabbitohs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Cameron Murray 14. Benji Marshall 15. Jacob Host 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jai Arrow 18. Taane Milne 19. Patrick Mago 20. Braidon Burns 21. Jed Cartwright
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