Taylan May will play his first NRL game in a year after being named in the centres for Penrith’s World Club Challenge showdown with Wigan on Sunday.
May heartbreakingly sustained an ACL injury during last year’s World Club Challenge clash with St Helens in Penrith. It robbed him of the chance of a Premiership ring.
Meantime, Scott Sorensen will miss Sunday’s clash with a leg issue. Luke Garner will start in the second row.
Ivan Cleary has named Tyrone Peachey, Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry and Matt Eisenhuth on his bench, while Jack Cole will start at five-eighth for the injured Jarome Luai.
The Panthers have been in England for a week preparing for Sunday’s clash at DW Stadium.
Wigan has named a 27 man squad for Sunday’s game, with Tiaki Chan coming in for Luke Thompson, who failed a HIA in last week’s win over Castleford in the Super League.
Sunday morning’s match kicks off at 7am and will be broadcast live on Fox League and Channel Nine via its Gem channel.
Nine commentator Phil Gould has declared the Panthers must win the match to cement their place in the game’s history.
“After winning three consecutive NRL premierships, the Panthers really need to have the title of World Club Champions on their list of achievements,” he said.
“They missed a golden opportunity to win that title when they hosted St Helen’s at home last year. I’m sure that loss will be burning inside them.
“Wigan are a proud rugby league club with a great history and will provide stern opposition. It should be a great game.”
Panthers squad: Dylan Edwards, Sunia Turuva, Izack Tago, Taylan May, Brian To’o, Jack Cole, Nathan Cleary (c), Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, James Fisher-Harris, Luke Garner, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo (c). Bench: Tyrone Peachey, Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry, Matt Eisenhuth. Reserves: Brad Schneider, Mavrik Geyer, Daine Laurie, Soni Luke.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.