Rugby League in Las Vegas: Penrith Panthers defeat Cronulla Sharks in NRL thriller
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**2 Mar 2025**

### TRY! Panthers 12-10 Sharks (Togo 29")

Try to Isaah Yeo! That was beautiful by Cleary who sensed Sharks fullback William Kennedy was out of the line, perhaps gassed after those great saves on the try line. Cleary saw the space and kicked a little kick over the top of the defensive line and Izack Togo surged in, caught it on the full and touched down. In the blink of an eye, the premiers are on top! Cleary adds the extras to make it 12-4.

### FULL TIME: Jillaroos 90-4 Lionesses

What a game of rugby league. That must have felt like a slog for England pretty much from start to finish, but they can at least take something from that final try. The Jillaroos looked devastated that they let that try in at the end, I imagine the clean sheet was a big motivator for them, but I think that disappointment will fade pretty quickly.

This game showcased the importance of the professionalism on offer in the NRLW. The money the players make is frankly a pittance compared to their NRLM counterparts, but relative to what’s on offer in England, it’s a fortune. This is a pattern in many women’s sports, where Australia are often the first to invest, which leads to almost unstoppable dominance. It will be interesting to see if those in power in English rugby league take anything away from this match and make the decision to invest more heavily in their women’s competition.

### GOAL! Jillaroos 66'

Aiken kicks another from right in front in a clinical display.

### TRY! Jillaroos 88-0 England (Joseph 65')

Higgins finds some space and gets the ball to Apps, who breaks the line, dummies left, passes right and Joseph is in space and scores under the post.

### TRY! Jillaroos 82-0 Lionesses (Sergis 63')

Sergis runs a perfect line to cut through the English defenders and score her third.

### TRY! Jillaroos 78-0 Lionesses (Aiken 59')

Another successful kick for Aiken and the Jillaroos power on.

### FULL TIME: Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks

Here’s how the sides line up:

**Penrith:** 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi.

**Sharks:** 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

### GOAL! Jillaroos 90-0 Lionesses (Aiken 66')

Aiken kicks another from right in front in a clinical display.

### TRY! Jillaroos 88-0 England (Joseph 65')

Higgins finds some space and gets the ball to Apps, who breaks the line, dummies left, passes right and Joseph is in space and scores under the post.

### TRY! Jillaroos 78-0 Lionesses (Aiken 59')

Another successful kick for Aiken and the Jillaroos power on.

### FULL TIME: Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks

Here’s how the sides line up:

**Penrith:** 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi.

### TONY DENNY FORD

**13th minute:** Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has made no changes to his lineup but it’s a different lineup to what we saw in 2024 and there’ll be more changes in 2025 as injuries, new recruits and the fabled Penrith juniors system play their part.

**32nd minute:** A mistake from Sergis early in the set gives England one more chance to salvage something from this match with a scrum feed 20m out. They nearly give up the ball, but manage to get it back with six more tackles.

### GOAL! Jillaroos 0-4 Lions

England are on the board. Roach gets through the Australian defence with a nice dummy, then fights off two more defenders to stretch out and reach the line. Her conversion attempt hits the post, so no extra points to be added.

### TRY! Penrith v Cronulla

Robinson makes an uncharacteristic error, dropping the ball from the kick off and England get a scrum feed 20m out. They’re throwing everything at this opportunity, but the Jillaroos are determined to cut off every scoring opportunity. Roach’s kick goes dead in goal.

### FULL TIME: Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks

Here’s how the sides line up:

**Penrith:** 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi.

**Sharks:** 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

### TONY DENNY FORD

**69th minute:** A mistake from Sergis early in the set gives England one more chance to salvage something from this match with a scrum feed 20m out. They’re throwing everything at this opportunity, but the Jillaroos are determined to cut off every scoring opportunity. Roach’s kick goes dead in goal.

### FULL TIME: Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks

Here’s how the sides line up:

**Penrith:** 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi.

**Sharks:** 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

### TONY DENNY FORD

**65th minute:** The Jillaroos get a seven tackle set – not what England need right now at all. They’re looking less clinical with some loose passes, but England manages a touch, that restarts the set for them.

### FULL TIME: Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks

Here’s how the sides line up:

**Penrith:** 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi.

**Sharks:** 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

### TONY DENNY FORD

**62nd minute:** Robinson makes an uncharacteristic error, dropping the ball from the kick off and England get a scrum feed 20m out. They’re throwing everything at this opportunity, but the Jillaroos are determined to cut off every scoring opportunity. Roach’s kick goes dead in goal.

### FULL TIME: Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks

Here’s how the sides line up:

**Penrith:** 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi.

**Sharks:** 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

### TONY DENNY FORD

**65th minute:** The Jillaroos get a seven tackle set – not what England need right now at all. They’re looking less clinical with some loose passes, but England manages a touch, that restarts the set for them.

### FULL TIME: Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks

Here’s how the sides line up:

**Penrith:** 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi.

**Sharks:** 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

### TONY DENNY FORD

**62nd minute:** Robinson makes an uncharacteristic error, dropping the ball from the kick off and England get a scrum feed 20m out. They’re throwing everything at this opportunity, but the Jillaroos are determined to cut off every scoring opportunity. Roach’s kick goes dead in goal.

### FULL TIME: Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks

Here’s how the sides line up:

**Penrith:** 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi.

**Sharks:** 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru
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