An all-important fourth versus fifth clash in Penrith sees the Panthers – missing players due to injuries and representative action – face off against the Warriors.
Penrith had been compounding good performances together, winning five from six, before suffering back-to-back losses to the Roosters and Manly in the past fortnight.
The Mountain Men will be looking to steady the ship as they roll into the back end of the year but will have to do so without James Maloney, Tyrone Peachey and Nathan Cleary.
As for the Kiwis, they are back to full strength.
The Warriors have had some patchy form since their 5-0 start to the season, so will be looking to build some confidence and re-establish themselves as true top-eight contenders – particularly after last week’s narrow home-ground loss to the Sharks.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Blake Green, Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke will look to guide them around the park and overwhelm the Panthers.
Anthony Griffin’s men still have plenty of scoring ability in their backline, but their monster pack, led by veteran forwards James Tamou and Trent Merrin, have to lay a platform to stay in the contest physically.
Both teams are on 22 competition points, with ten wins and five losses, so both are looking to break away from one another.
RoryStorm
Guest
Josh, I'm really looking forward to this game. I thought this would be the best game of the round but both teams are going to have to put in blinders to even come close to last nights game. If the Warriors are genuine contenders, they need to win this game convincingly. Yes, the Panthers are without their first choice halves pairing but they can't let that be an excuse if they lose. The Panthers are playing at home on a Friday night so should have the support of 90% of the fans there tonight. The Auckland based Warriors seem to have quite a few inbuilt supporters themselves wherever they play in Australia. I've absolutely no idea who wins this game, but hoping for a game even half as good as last nights game barring the defensive blunders, but then again that is what lead to some marvelous trys. Go Panthers.