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New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers: NRL live scores, blog, highlights

14th July, 2017
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
TV: Live, Fox League
Online: Live, Foxtel app and NRL live pass
Betting: Warriors $1.46, Panthers $2.80
Overall record: Played 38, Panthers 21, Warriors 16, drawn 1
Last meeting: Round 10, Panthers 36 defeat Warriors 28 at Pepper Stadium, Penrith
Last five: Panthers 4, Warriors 1
Record at venue: Played 17, Warriors 9, Panthers 8
Referees: Gavin Reynolds and Allan Shortall

New Zealand Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 21. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Issac Luke 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Bunty Afoa 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Mafoa'aeata Hingano 15. Sam Lisone 16. James Gavet 17. Ligi Sao 18. Charnze Nicoll-klokstad 22. Jazz Tevaga

Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Mitch Rein 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Leilani Latu 16. Tim Browne 17. James Fisher-Harris 18. Moses Leota 19. Tyrone May
Debating whether league or union is the better game is pointless. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Expert
14th July, 2017
156
4380 Reads

It could be one of the most unpredictable games of the season when the New Zealand Warriors meet the Penrith Panthers with a must-win situation presenting itself for both clubs. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEST).

There is simply no telling what may happen in this one. It could be the best game of the season with plenty of points, or it could be the worst with errors, bad defence and poor attacking structures.

Unfortunately, it’s inconsistency that has been the key word when you think of their respective seasons. Despite that, they both sit just outside the top eight, but a loss here makes things incredibly difficult.

Sitting on 18 competition points, there are only seven games remaining after this one. With it starting to look more and more like the mark to quality for the finals will be 30 points, a loss leaves the loser needing to win potentially six of their final seven.

Even for the winner, things won’t be straightforward – five from seven with the noted inconsistency woes is a seriously tough challenge.

The Panthers season has been disappointing, so say the least. It appeared with the return of Josh Mansour, they had finally turned a corner though, winning a few on the trot and getting themselves inside the top eight for a brief period.

It didn’t last for long though. Despite the fact they beat Manly last week, it was controversial and their level of play has dropped following a tough loss to the Cowboys and a belting at the hands of the struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs.

There have been rumours circulating in the days leading up to the game that half Matt Moylan is out, which would be a huge blow for the Panthers.

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In other team news, James Fisher-Harris is back, with Sitaleki Akauola out. The Warriors have also made sweeping changes, with Solomone Kata and Isaac Luke back into the side.

The Warriors have plenty to play for tonight, with the night being dedicated to the career of Manu Vatuvei. The 226-game veteran has been handed an immediate release to Salford in England, and will not play this game.

New Zealand, like Penrith have struggled for any consistency in 2017. It’s enough to make any fan want to rip their hair out, with the ridiculously talented spine of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran and Isaac Luke struggling to win consistently.

Leading into the bye last week, the Warriors had beaten the Bulldogs in one of the worst games of the season, before slumping to defeat at the hands of Manly.

Prediction
I’ve got no confidence in this and even less now Moylan is potentially out, but I’ll stick to my gut feeling – and that is it’s impossible to tip the Warriors.

Expect plenty of points in this one.

Panthers by 6.

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