New Zealand Warriors
16
Match Complete
Penrith Panthers
30
| R. Walsh |  | 74 | ||
| R. Walsh |  | 72 | ||
| 67 | | C. Staines | ||
| 65 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 64 | | L. Martin | ||
| 54 | | C. Staines | ||
| 35 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 34 | | V. Kikau | ||
| 28 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 27 | | B. To'o | ||
| R. Berry | | 17 | ||
| R. Walsh | | 10 | ||
| W. Egan | | 8 | ||
| 1 | | V. Kikau |
| 3 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
A Nathan Cleary-less Penrith Panthers are still a formidable force for the New Zealand Warriors to take on as they attempt to keep their flickering finals hopes alive. Join The Roar for live scores from 8:05pm (AEST) as Sunday footy kicks off.
It’s an old-fashioned double header at Lang Park today, with this match immediately preceding the afternoon’s Broncos-Tigers clash.
Minus Cleary in the halves, the Panthers look a touch vulnerable – though it’s hard to gauge that from a single-match sample size. They still bested the third-placed Eels by a solitary point in that match, though, so it’s clear Ivan Cleary’s team are still one of the premiership favourites.
Minus Cleary as well as Jarome Luai through injury, Dylan Edwards returns to the fullback slot, with Charlie Staines shifting back to his usual wing.
The Warriors will be two games and points differential out of the eight if they drop this one, so it’s unsurprising Nathan Brown has made plenty of changes. Tohu Harris, Chad Townsend and Euan Aitken have all been shuffled into the starting 13, making their line-up look a touch chaotic.
Halves pairing Kodi Nikorima and Sean O’Sullivan have both paid the price for an ordinary game in defeat to the Sharks last week – they’ll both be riding the pine to start this one.
Game information
Kick-off: 1:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Warriors $3.05, Panthers $1.38 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
New Zealand Warriors
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Rocco Berry, 20. Euan Aitken, 4. Marcelo Montoya, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 21. Chad Townsend, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matthew Lodge, 12. Bayley Sironen, 22. Tohu Harris, 13. Jazz Tevaga
Bench/Reserves: 6. Kodi Nikorima, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 14. Josh Curran, 15. Leeson Ah Mau | 17. Kane Evans, 18. Adam Pompey
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Tyrone May, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Isaah Yeo (c)
Bench/Reserves: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Liam Martin | 18. Izack Tago, 19. Matt Eisenhuth
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Don't whinge , we have signed him for three long years. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Townsend was useless. ‘Arg, where should I pass it? Um..arh’ then bashed! He’s really slow moving. No drop goal so that was a bonus. Walsh should be at 6.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Could we have the Broncos v Tigers match, please?
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Its a good team on paper. Hopefully SJ returns to his best next year and Walsh keeps developing. Should have a good shot at the finals next year if they can keep key players injury free (and play out of Auckland, hopefully).
Tom G
Roar Rookie
The only consistency in Rugbah League is its inconsistency
Tom G
Roar Rookie
The Warriors have always played a positive style of football for mine and this year is no different. They’ve had a bad run with injury this year and RTS leaving is a big hole to fill. The good news for them is that Lodge, AFB, Walsh etc are good players that a team can be built around if a couple of additional signings can happen.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Absolutely gutsy effort by your team today. :thumbup:
KFar
Guest
Is it just me or is the HIA/head contact with the head rule a joke? *Panther player gets a massive falcon and is clearly dazed but nothing happens, no HIA. *Walsh gets kneed in the head and nothing happens. *Jazz gets his head slammed into the ground and nothing happens.
Nat
Roar Guru
Respect Warriors. A lot of effort against a very good team.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Been a tough time to be a Warriors fan, but damn proud today.
Davoooo
Guest
I know the pennies are minus their half's, but is there a chance sides are starting to work out how to break the Panthers down a bit....
KFar
Guest
Is it just me or is the HIA/head contact with the head rule a joke. *Panther player gets a massive falcon and is clearly dazed but nothing happens. *Walsh gets kneed in the head and nothing happens. *Jazz gets his head slammed into the ground and nothing happens.
74
Joe
Roar Rookie
Not often you can say that it has been a great effort by a team that's going to lose 13+ but this has been a magnificent effort by the Warriors. The big men in the middle in particular have been absolutely outstanding! Lodge seems to be making a point of showing the Suncorp crowd what they let go. Great effort by the Warriors.
72
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Well deserved try for Walsh. Rough season for the Warriors, and a bad run the last couple of months, but making their fans proud today despite the result.
JGK
Roar Guru
A double for C-Man.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Going to be a big jump in the Panthers for and against. I think another 3-4 tries is possible.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Townsend add absolutely nothing. Must have mates from his days at the Warriors.
67