Round 17 of the NRL season continues as the Penrith Panthers play host to the New Zealand Warriors. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:55pm (AEST).
The top eight is arguably close to sorted after the Broncos’ win over the Raiders last weekend, but the race for the top four is still up for grabs.
Only two competition points separate the third-placed Storm and eighth-placed Brisbane. The Panthers and Warriors are the fourth and fifth-ranked teams, so a win here becomes extra important.
Penrith have been hit by injuries all season and it looks like it may have finally caught up with them, after back-to-back losses against the Roosters and Sea Eagles.
It doesn’t get any easier this round, with James Maloney, Nathan Cleary and Tyrone Peachey all out on State of Origin duty. Tyrone May and Jarome Luai are called up in the halves, while Waqa Blake returns from injury to replace Peachey. Corey Harawira-Naera returns on the bench and Viliame Kikau has been named, but must be in serious doubt.
The Warriors have to contend with a few changes of their own, with Adam Blair returning from suspension at lock and Simon Mannering moving to the second row in place of the injured Tohu Harris. Ligi Sao replaces the injured Bunty Afoa on the bench, with David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumolo back on the wings.
The Kiwis will feel that last weekend’s game against the Sharks was the one that got away, yet have struggled against top-eight teams of late.
Prediction
The Panthers have won four of the last five matches against the Warriors, but the away side go in at close to full strength, while Penrith lose their brains trust in the halves and arguably their best broken-field player in Peachey.
Warriors by 10.
Muzz
Guest
Ben Cummins?
Wayne Turner
Guest
The refs ruined this game.One of the worst games I watched this season. All the refs involved in this game should be sacked. The refs ruled just about everything in favour of Penrith and often wrong egs:- *Called two separate forward passes against the Warriors that were NOT forward. *Missed a massive forward pass by Penrith.Why? *Often when Penrith dropped it the refs gave them a dodgy penalty. *Penrith holding Warriors players down when they had the ball ignored.Yet when Warriors did the same thing they were penalised. So,much for end of "nitpicking" penalties. *When did all the refs get their Penrith jerseys? Shocking refs ruin another game. Of course nothing will change cause NRL = No Real Leadership.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Yes, thought they were a chance with a better share of possession. That second half was very poor from the Warriors. You don't like to say it but it seemed like they almost stopped trying at various stages of the last 40 minutes. The coaching staff have plenty of work to do.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT. The Warriors did manage to get a few penalties and possession in the second half but the Panthers have been way too good tonight. The Panthers bench, led by Hetherington, were fantastic and both young halves were very impressive, especially Luai, who scored the majority of the Panthers points. The Warriors had it all to play for but were simply out-enthused for most of the match. They will be very disappointed with that result in a match they were expected to win. The Panthers consolidate their spot in the top 4 and will now go into next week's clash against the Sharks with plenty of confidence. The Warriors will travel to Brisbane for a Sunday afternoon match. Another loss and they will be at the bottom of the top 8. What did you think of the match, Roarers?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Well warriors just crumbled. You can't concede a 32 point losing margin against a depleted side and still consider yourself a finals contender no matter what you had to overcome. They're gonna have to sort things out very quickly
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT Panthers win 36-4
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Offloading at will. May has got an offoad away to Egan but he's held up in goal. Its full time here and an emphatic win to the Panthers Panthers 36 Warriors 4
David Holden
Roar Guru
77' Panhers muscle up in defence. They run it on last and a forward pass from Johnson. Panthers get one more chance to score Panthers 36 Warriors 4
Raewyn Dowd
Guest
At least you had the Referee on your side panthers
David Holden
Roar Guru
75' Warriors go right but Fusitu'a is held. They then go left. Slick movement and Maumolo has scored in the corner. TRY Johnson's kick is waved away Panthers 36 Warriors 4
David Holden
Roar Guru
74' Panthers looking dangerous in every tackle. They go left and Kikau has lost the ball in the tackle. Warriors ball Panthers 36 Warriors 0
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
god lord, did the warriors even show up?
David Holden
Roar Guru
74' Conversion is good Panthers 36 Warriors 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
71' Well it was going to happen. Merrin offloads to DWZ who goes across field, He finds Harawira-Naera who has crashed over. TRY Panthers 34 Warriors 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
70' Warriors offside in the kick off. Their second half has simply been poor Panthers 30 Warriors 0
KenoathCarnt
Guest
There has been a real trend this year of teams winning and playing well with key players missing.
David Holden
Roar Guru
70' Coaches across the NRL will be checking out Luai's contract details. There is a future star on show tonight. Conversion is good from the wonder kid! Panthers 30 Warriors 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
68' Fisher Harris shakes ball loose in defence and Panthers on attack. Luai has taken the ball, beaten 2 or 3 defenders in a weaving run to the line and has scored a great solo try. TRY Panthers 28 Warriors 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
67' Beale is on for Hiku whoi has had a poor night. Luke puts kick through on the last and DWZ has taken it into touch. Warriors have a chance to get on the board Panthers 24 Warriors 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
65' Panthers playing expansive footy. Blake goes close on last but the play breaks down just short. Warriors get a relieving penalty Panthers 24 Warriors 0