The New Zealand Warriors will attempt to overcome the loss of Blake Green and confirm their spot in the top eight when they host the Penrith Panthers, who are looking to push top four claims. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEST).
After the Tigers victory over the Sea Eagles last night and taking into account the Warriors awful loss to the Bulldogs last week, the Auckland-based outfit are still not mathematically secure in the finals.
While it would take something of a miracle, a heavy loss to the Panthers tonight would leave the Tigers just two points behind and with an ever-narrowing for and against. The difference coming into the match between the two clubs is 43 points.
It’s not out of the question either. The Warriors have been known to put in some ordinary defensive efforts from time to time, but their consistency is hard to get a read on.
Taking on a severely understrength Panthers side earlier in the year due to Origin, they were belted 36-4.
With the Panthers losing last weekend and struggling to only just get over the Titans the week before that, this has all the makings of a similar scoreline. Cameron Ciraldo’s men simply must find their feet before the finals, and doing it in Auckland would be a good spot to start.
Penrith can fight their way into the top four yet, pending the form of the St George Illawarra Dragons and other clubs around them, so there is still plenty to play for from their perspective.
They are still without James Maloney though, so a lot of the pressure falls on Nathan Cleary, although with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak at fullback and Tyrone Peachey in the halves thanks to a reshuffle, things might start to flow in attack.
On the other side of the field, the Warriors are without Blake Green, which is a major problem. He has steadied the attack at times this year, so to lose him will put them under the pump, with Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck needing to produce.
At the end of the day, the style and tempo of this game will come down to the Warriors forward pack. If they play their up, in, rushing defensive style, Penrith will struggle. If the line speed is slow and sluggish, it could be a field day for the visitors.
Prediction
As much as the Warriors should be pretty desperate to win here, the Panthers can ill-afford to lose again. They need to get a win under Cameron Ciraldo and a few days out of the Sydney spotlight should do the trick against a side without steadying hand Blake Green.
Panthers by 10.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 24 match from 6pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Tohu Harris made a difference on that right edge. Kikau was rampant last time they played but was kept quiet in this game. Johnson really stepped his game up as well in the absence of Green. Great win by the Warriors and some quality breaks and tries.
Roger
Guest
Congratulations Gus, well played. In fact right up there with the Mad Monk and Spud Dutton :)
Major Bumsore
Guest
When you become a professional footballer, you don’t stop being a human.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
WWOS, Channel Nine reporting it. Tonight's performance should hopefully prove that would be one of the dumbest moves in history.
Muzz
Guest
Gus Goulds barber.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Muzz. Where'd you hear that one?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 NRL season as the New Zealand Warriors hammered the Penrith Panthers. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. That's me done for this weekend's NRL coverage, although I'll be floating around to chip in with other sports and of course, be back on Sunday evening with talking points for the weekend. Right now though it's time to join Riley Pettigrew for live coverage of the North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels as Johnathan Thurston plays his final game at home, Matt Scott plays his 250th and Jake Granville plays his 100th. Bye for now.
Muzz
Guest
Great call Scotty. Rumour has it that James Maloney want's out and has requested a release.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
As it stands then, with 15 games remaining in the season, here are how the finals look. QF 1: Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons at AAMI Park QF 2: Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium EF 1: Cronulla Sharks vs Brisbane Broncos at Southern Cross Group Stadium EF 2: Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors at ANZ Stadium
Scott Pryde
Expert
Here is the LIVE LADDER as it stands. 1. Melbourne Storm (32 + 177) 2. Sydney Roosters (32 + 161) 3. South Sydney Rabbitohs (32 + 116) 4. St George Illawarra Dragons (30 + 75) 5. Cronulla Sharks (30 + 58) 6. Penrith Panthers (30 + 50) 7. New Zealand Warriors (30 + 21) 8. Brisbane Broncos (28 + 10) 9. Wests Tigers (26 – 42) 10. Canberra Raiders (20 + 15) 11. Newcastle Knights (20 – 157) 12. Gold Coast Titans (18 – 104) 13. Canterbury Bulldogs (16 – 72) 14. Manly Sea Eagles (16 – 90) 15. Parramatta Eels (14 – 104) 16. North Queensland Cowboys (14 – 114) So, the Warriors now can't miss the finals. They, with a loss next week for the Panthers or two losses for the Sharks -or even a pair of losses for the Dragons - could finish fifth or sixth. Heck maybe even fourth. Fifth or sixth will be the aim though from this point given that would bring them a home elimination final. The Panthers meanwhile are in strife. Two straight losses and a sloppy win before that. Pending on results for Brisbane and the Warriors, they could easily finish eighth yet. Realistically, the highest they are now going to get on the ladder should every other result go their way is fourth.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
1. Penrith's pack really stood up late but they need to do so from the start. Cleary ran for more metres than any of them. Can't fault his effort - never gave up. 2. Looked much better in attack when early ball to Blake running hard and straight. 3. Need Wallace to come out of retirement. Desperately need a genuine hooker and leader in the middle. 4. Going to hold out the slim hope we get our season back on track against Melbourne, somehow beat them and spark something heading into the finals.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks mate. Appreciate it!
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The New Zealand Warriors have put on an excellent performance at home. A 20-point win in the end, with their attacking running rampant against the Panthers to break a drought and lock them into the finals, with the top eight teams now all but set for 2018. The Panthers were awful really. They came out with enthusiasm, but gave away penalties, dropped the ball and at one point found themselves behind 18-0. A try before halftime threatened to change the momentum, but the Warriors came out for the second half and put on the points. Two tries at the end for Penrith managed to cut the lead and bring the for and against situation back into control should they lose and the Warriors win next week, but this is a crucial loss for the visitors who only have one week left to flip things around and find some form before the finals. Warriors 36 Panthers 16
Renegade
Roar Guru
But it was griffins fault a month ago - right?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Good call Scott
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Into the final 60 seconds and the Warriors will just wind the clock down now, running out comprehensive winners by 20 points at home, which not only locks their finals position in place, but moves them closer on for and against to the Panthers with a shot at hosting Week 1. Warriors 36 Panthers 16
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Penrith back over halfway in two plays through Kikau and Fisher-Harris, then it's a left side raid, but Blake can't go through the line. Down the right side now and Merrin offloads to Egan who finds Mansour. He stops, starts and is tackled centre of the ground, 20 out. Back to the left now and May passes to ground with Blake picking it up and being tackled. Final play and Cleary goes through the line, offloading to Campbell-Gillard who then grubbers with Hiku bringing it back. Warriors 36 Panthers 16
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - Crichton out of dummy half, then it's Peachey with a carry. They go short side and an offload from Watene-Zelezniak, but Maumalo knocks it to ground., Panthers stop the clock with 2:05 left as they try to run on some more points before the fulltime siren. Warriors 36 Panthers 16
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Solid set for the Warriors, but it ends up with a grubber down the short side and Mansour running it after a spread at the back. Warriors 36 Panthers 16