The New Zealand Warriors will look to show the form that saw them win seven of eight earlier on this season, as they play host to the struggling Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Join us for live scores and updates from 2:00pm AEST.
It was just three months ago when the Warriors were dealt a cruel 62-6 loss at the hands of Penrith at Centrebet Stadium.
The result kick started New Zealand’s season, as they went on a streak of wins that saw them knock off Manly, the Roosters and Melbourne in less than two months.
However, the Warriors have struggled over the last couple of weeks, losing three of their last five and are in real trouble of missing the playoffs.
A sizable win and results going their way could see New Zealand jump up into the top half of the table by the end of the round, while a loss could see them slip out of contention all together.
Much like the Warriors, the road of late for Penrith has been a tough one, losing their last four games by an average of just over 28 points.
The very promising start to the season by the Panthers is nothing but a faded memory for their supporters, with Penrith currently sitting four points back of the top eight with a very undesirable for and against.
Prediction
While New Zealand have lost their last two, Penrith have been woeful on both sides of the ball and will struggle in front of a hostile Mt Smart Stadium crowd desperate for a win.
The matchup of the two little number 1s will be surely be one to watch, with Kevin Locke going up against Matt Moylan, who has been one of the only shining lights for the Panthers in 2013.
I am predicting a high scoring encounter with New Zealand walking all over the visitors.
New Zealand by sixteen .
jack
Guest
As far as I am concerned the refereeing and linesman situation is diabolic just lets go back to the Penrith try, that pass was 3mtrs forward and all the commentators just laugh it off jack
Christopher
Guest
Warriors don't deserve to be in the 8
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
80' - After a set full of one out runs, players going down with cramps and an all important appearance by Ronnie Palmer, Penrith have managed to hold on and come away with the two points. New Zealand - 24 Penrith - 28
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
80' - Hurrell flicks the ball to Laumape out on the right hand edge but he is bundled into touch by 4 or 5 Penrith defenders. Penrith with a scrum 10m out from their own line. New Zealand - 24 Penrith - 28
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
78' - Penrith try and run the ball on the last but lose the ball. The Warriors almost run away with it but a last ditch tackle puts an end to it. Warriors penalty with 1:30 to go. Massive set. New Zealand - 24 Penrith - 28
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
77' - Mateo tries to offload the ball on the first tackle. Vatuvei tries to take the ball but is ruled to have knocked it on into the Penrith player. Penrith scrum 35m out from the NZ line. New Zealand - 24 Penrith - 28
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
75' - Great defensive set from Penrith. Johnson tries to run the ball on the last but is wrapped up only a couple of metres out from the Penrith line. The Panthers will look to just kick the ball into touch down field. New Zealand - 24 Penrith - 28
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
74' - The Warriors are going side to side. Looking like a game of touch football at the moment. Johnson puts the bomb up. Coote takes it but a penalty is blown to the Warriors 10m out right in front. New Zealand - 24 Penrith - 28
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
71' - TRY NEW ZEALAND - Game on. A loverly ball from Johnson who half busts a tackle gets it off to Locke who passes it to Hurrel who gives over in the corner. Exciting last 8 minutes coming up. 72' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Johnson slots the kick from the sideline.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
71' - McKendry tries to offload the ball on the 4th tackle mid-field. Not sure why. His side is up by 10 points. They should be trying to protect the lead not give the ball up. The lost ball is compacted by a penalty. New Zealand - 18 Penrith - 22
Vivalasvegan
Guest
Locke couldn't tackle a good dinner...
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
69' - Walshs grubber kick finds touch 10m out from the Warriors line. New Zealand doesn't seem to be in to much of a rush to pack the scrum. They need to score 2 tries in 10 minutes. New Zealand - 18 Penrith - 28
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
67' - PENRITH TRY - What a passage of play. Isaac John burns his old team with a burst of speed up the middle. He finds Mansour who offloads it to Lewis. The ball is then spread across field before some loverly footwork from Sika Manu earns his side the 4 pointer. His 5th try of the year. 68' - CONVERSION SUCCESSUL. New Zealand - 18 Penrith - 28 Are Warriors fans confident?
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
66' - Walsh grubber kick goes dead. Johnson picks up 30m from the optional restart. Great thinking. New Zealand - 18 Penrith - 22
Trent
Guest
Matagi is a machine
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
64' - Penrith earn a scrum feed 30m out from the Warriors line. NZ pop a ball back which hits the ref and a scrum is ordered. An unfortunante ruling for the Warriors. New Zealand - 18 Penrith - 22
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
62' - NEW ZEALAND TRY - Matagi crosses for his first try of his career. With only Coote to beat after a wonderful ball from Johnson, he was never going to be stopped. Warriors are back. 63' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL New Zealand - 18 Penrith - 22
Vivalasvegan
Guest
Locke should be dragged off for this defensive performance. Disgraceful lack of effort! Slater videos this week for lazy boy?
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
61' - Jeremy Latimore loses the ball during the play to ball. New Zealand with a scum feed 45m out from the Penrith line. New Zealand - 12 Penrith - 20
Zaccaaa
Guest
Game over