The Penrith Panthers continue to defy expectations and will fancy their chances of beating the inconsistent New Zealand Warriors away from home. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2.00pm (AEST).
It appeared that a defeat to the Rabbitohs in Perth threatened to derail the Warriors premiership campaign given how poorly they finished that particular contest.
Instead, the Warriors once again showed that they are a force to be reckoned with, defeating the in-form Broncos 18-10 last week in a tough game of football.
Such a result shows that New Zealand remain one of the toughest teams to beat when on song. Consistency however remains as elusive as the holy grail and it remains to be seen if the Warriors can find it today against Penrith.
At their best, the Warriors appear to have the Panthers covered. Whether or not the home side will show up with their best form is another matter all together.
The Panthers on the other hand have been very consistent this season. Their effort on the field has been very strong right from the beginning of the season and such consistency is being rewarded.
Penrith are just doing the little things right at the moment. They are competing hard and defending with plenty of enthusiasm.
They are a good team in every sense of the word and will test a Warriors side that can be hot and cold throughout 80 minutes.
Halves Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward have been in great form for Penrith and will open up New Zealand if the Warriors turn up playing complacent football.
If the Warriors can show up with the same attitude that led them to victory over the Broncos, then they will most likely beat a hard working Panthers team in a close contest.
Warriors by 12
Alan
Roar Guru
The Warriors emerge with a vital 10 point win over the Panthers. Penrith toiled hard and fought back very well from 12 points down but the Warriors eventually clicked into gear in the second half and scored 3 tries to 1. Warriors now head into the bye with confidence as the race for the top eight continues to heat up. Panthers lose the opportunity to join Manly on top of the NRL ladder. Soward came off injured as well and that could prove a telling blow in the coming weeks. Warriors 30 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
PENALTY MISSED FULLTIME Warriors 30 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Tomkins with a grubber here and he is dragged down! Panthers get a player in the bin now with just 20 secs remaining! Warriors 32 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Warriors register their second straight win. Bye coming up for the Warriors as well and they are in the hunt for the top eight. Warriors 30 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Forward pass from the Panthers again today and the Warriors will hold on and win this... Warriors 30 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Mateo with an offload but the Panthers read it and intercept the footy. Warriors 30 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Forward pass from the Panthers here and the Warriors off the hook. Wallace with the forward pass on the inside. Warriors with the footy Warriors 30 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
Johnson with a poor error here as he fails to find touch. Panthers back with the footy. Gee Johnson... Warriors 30 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
Warriors now get a penalty on the halfway as the ball goes out on the full from the short kickoff by the Panthers! Warriors 30 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
Poor lofted pass here and Johnson intercepted the footy as easy as you like and races away to score the matchwinner perhaps! CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Warriors 30 Panthers 20
John
Guest
Yes! Princess scores!
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Panthers attack now. Johnson now intercepts the footy and scores!!!! TRY WARRIORS Warriors 28 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Johnson nearly through a gap. Offloads to Mateo. Warriors attack. Ball still alive. Panthers back with possession Warriors 24 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Wallace with a kick and the Warriors with possession through Tomkins. Warriors with good territory to work with Warriors 24 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Townsend kicks toward Vatuvei's wing. Wallace takes the footy and is nearly pushed over the sideline. He stays in the field of play Warriors 24 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
Panthers inside the 10 here and the Warriors get a big penalty and are out of trouble... Warriors 24 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Panthers right back in this contest. Moylan makes up for his poor offload in the in-goal by playing a leading hand in Segeyaro's try. Wallace goes high and the Warriors back with possession Warriors 24 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
Moylan well involved yet again with great footwork up the middle of the park. Great offload on the inside to Segeyaro who scored. CONVERSION MISSED Warriors 24 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
65' - Moylan now finds Segeyaro who races away to score a crucial try!!! TRY PANTHERS Warriors 24 Panthers 20
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - Great charge from Hurrell yet again. Warriors with momentum now. They have scored the last two tries of the match. They need to win this. Johnson goes high and Vatuvei regathers. Warriors keep the footy alive. Townsend with a grubber. Moylan now finds Mansour who nearly breaks away. All happening here! Warriors 24 Panthers 16