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Fast facts about the NRL preliminary final between Penrith and South Sydney
NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL BETWEEN PENRITH AND SOUTH SYDNEY:-
WHEN: Saturday, 7.50pm AEDT
WHERE: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
THE FORM
* Penrith Panthers (first). The Panthers have been unstoppable with their 16-game winning streak the longest to reach a preliminary final. They could become the first team since the 1959 St George Dragons to win the title with one loss or less throughout the whole season.
* South Sydney Rabbitohs (sixth). The in-form Rabbitohs have scored 144 points in their past three matches and are looking to reach the grand final for the first time since 2014. Souths have won seven of nine finals games at ANZ Stadium, including being on a current five-match winning streak.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
* Overall: Played 84, Rabbitohs 46 wins, Panthers 37 wins, Draw 1
* In finals: First meeting
* Last time: Round 7, 2020: Panthers 20 bt Rabbitohs 12 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
THE COACHES
* This will be the first finals meeting between Penrith's Ivan Cleary and Wayne Bennett, with the latter winning 14 of their 20 previous meetings. However, Cleary has won the past two.
* Wayne Bennett could become the first coach in history to make a grand final with four different clubs (Raiders, Broncos, Dragons). However, Bennett has won just one of his past four preliminary finals (2015 with Broncos).
KEY MATCH-UPS
Nathan Cleary (Panthers) v Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs)
Dally M Medal favourite Cleary has been a cut above all season but Reynolds' star is rising at the right time of the year. Both boast clever kicking games and strong halves partnerships with Cleary and Jarome Luai in sync while Cody Walker has been in ripping form for the Bunnies.
Isaah Yeo (Panthers) v Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)
Penrith suffered a major blow losing Viliame Kikau to suspension and while Kurt Capewell is his second-row replacement, lock Yeo will need to step up to contain the elusive Murray, who is at the top of his game.
Api Koroisau (Panthers) v Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)
While Cook wears the NSW No.9 jersey and has been in sparkling form, Koroisau has mounted a strong case to unseat him. Joining from Manly, Koroisau is a key reason for Penrith winning the minor premiership.
THE STATS
* Seven of the past eight games between the two have been decided by single digit margins.
* Expect a fast start as these teams are the two highest scoring first half teams, the Panthers the best at 14.8 points per game.
THE TIP
Panthers by 8