Penrith may have copped all the heat coming into Thursday night’s blockbuster clash with the Rabbitohs but two huge outs on the other side of the field will be match defining, according to Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler.
The two rugby league greats are both tipping a victory for the Panthers over one of their main rivals for this season’s premiership due primarily to the fact that Jason Demetriou’s men will be missing Jai Arrow and Tevita Tatola.
“What a test for Souths, Penrith have been the bogey team for Souths over the last couple of years,” Fittler told Johns on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips.
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“And now you go in without your two front-rowers, Jai Arrow’s out and also Tevita Tatola, huge losses I think.
“Penrith last week I think were beaten in that area. So I think Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris – although Souths I think have the bigger stars – I think it’s in their hands to win the game.”
Johns added that he expected to see a response from Penrith after a below par first round performance followed their shock World Club Challenge loss.
“Penrith haven’t been under this pressure for probably two or three years,” Johns said.
“I think Penrith to hit back and hit back in a big way.”
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 2 tips by Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and all Nine’s expert tipsters!
Billy Slater: Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Knights, Titans
Peter Psaltis: Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Knights, Titans
James Bracey: Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Raiders, Storm, Tigers, Dragons
The Mole: Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Raiders, Storm, Knights, Titans
Darren Lockyer: Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Tigers, Titans
Andrew Johns: Panthers, Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Raiders, Storm, Knights, Dragons
Brad Fittler: Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Knights, Dragons
Danika Mason: Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm Knights, Dragons
Allana Ferguson: Panthers, Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Tigers, Titans
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Paul Gallen: Rabbitohs, Sharks, Broncos, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Tigers, Titans
Wally Lewis: Panthers, Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Knights, Titans
Ruan Sims: Rabbitohs, Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Tigers, Titans
Michael Chammas: Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Tigers, Titans
Ben Glover: Rabbitohs, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Tigers, Dragons
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