Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has named his team to take on Melbourne in a blockbuster Round 1 NRL clash this Friday night.
Luke Sommerton has been named at hooker in place of the suspended Mitch Kenny, beating out Soni Luke to the number nine jumper.
Luke has been named in reserve grade.
Both Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva have been named and are expected to play after recovering from injuries.
But Scott Sorensen is missing from the side, given another week to recover from a leg injury.
Izack Tago and Taylan May make up the new-look centre combination.
Penrith team: Dylan Edwards, Sunia Turuva, Izack Tago, Taylan May, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary (c), Moses Leota, Luke Sommerton, James Fisher-Harris, Luke Garner, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo (c). Interchange: Tyrone Peachey, Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry, Matt Eisenhuth. (Reserves: Daine Laurie, Soni Luke, Brad Schneider, Preston Riki, Mav Geyer).
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.
