New Zealand Warriors
6
Match Complete
Penrith Panthers
40
| 79 |  | S. Crichton | ||
| 78 |  | B. To'o | ||
| R. Walsh | | 76 | ||
| J. Curran | | 75 | ||
| 65 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 64 | | L. Martin | ||
| 62 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 61 | | I. Yeo | ||
| 45 | | B. To'o | ||
| 39 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 38 | | T. May | ||
| 21 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 20 | | D. Edwards | ||
| 15 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 14 | | M. Leota |
| 1 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The New Zealand Warriors face the toughest challenge in the NRL when they face the Penrith Panthers in Redcliffe this evening. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEST.
The Warriors desperately need to get home and reset. After two and a half of years of sacrifice to keep the competition going as per the program, the cracks are starting to show. They have just parted ways with their second coach in as many years, and looked like a team that is just worn out. They made an encouraging start last weekend against the Sharks, up 12-0 early. But as is the Warriors condition, they couldn’t find any resolve or resistance when under pressure and fell away to lose 38-12.
The Panthers couldn’t be a more contrasting side. They have just the one loss to their name, and are showing no signs of slowing down. Their win against the Knights last week looked little more than a training run, and they barely left third gear. Even still they ran up 42-6 winners. Everyone is asking the same thing at this point. Who can stop the Panthers?
Stacey Jones has wasted little time in making changes for the Warriors. Ronald Volkman makes his debut in the halves, pushing Chanel Harris-Tevita to the bench. Josh Curran and Jesse Arthars are the the new centre pairing replacing Rocco Berry and the Euan Aitken who is out with concussion. Bunty Afoa takes the place of Ben Murdoch-Masila in the starting side with Aaron Pene joining the bench. Addin Fonua-Blake is a chance to return from a foot injury. In the only change for the Panthers, Isaah Yeo returns at the expense of Matt Eisenhuth.
The Panthers have an imposing recent record over the Warriors. The Panthers have won 14 of the last 18 games between the two over the last decade. The Panthers are on a four-game winning steak against the Warriors. The Panthers have played once in Redcliffe for the one win. The Warriors meanwhile aren’t fairing too badly at their adopted home winning 4 of their 6 games this season.
Prediction
If the Warriors could win, it would be the upset of the season.
But there is just no way you could ever tip them to do so. The Panthers have barely missed a beat this season, and have a number of players who once again will want to show Brad Fittler that they should get another shot in sky blue.
Panthers by 20+
Game information
Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Warriors $11.00, Panthers $1.04 – odds via PlayUp
New Zealand
1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jazz Tevaga 11. Jack Murchie 12. Tohu Harris (c) 13. Josh Curran.
Interchange: 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Aaron Pene 16. Dunamis Lui 17. Bayley Sironen 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Eliesa Katoa 21. Rocco Berry 22. Daejarn Asi 23. Addin Fonua-Blake
Penrith
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Lauai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Matt Eiseunhuth 20. Chris Smith 21. Soni Luke 22. Thomas Jenkins
JennyFromPenny
Guest
People need to get over their petty jealousies. Is this what you wanted people to say when Dragons were at their best 2009/2010? Bringing the best team to Redcliffe to show how it's done, bad for the game. It's the people that think this way, that's bad for the game.
— COMMENT DELETED —
:silly:
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Well I guess that game is a sign of improvement for the Warriors.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Ugh…
Last home game for the Warriors in Aus before they relocate back NZ. Hopefully things will get better for them. :thumbup:
Cheers Jack for the call. You doing the Eels vs Roosts?
Wait till Johnson comes back things will change for the Warriors.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
That wraps us up here. The Panthers comfortable winners in the end. Up next, the Eels taking on the Roosters in a blockbuster at Bankwest.
79
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Full time Warriors 6 Panthers 40
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
80' Conversion Successful - Crichton They've save their best for last. Luai running out of room on the left, heading back towards the middle, jinking and showing it, drew in defenders, out to Crichton, onto To'o for his second. Crichton converts from touch and the Panthers have 40. Warriors 6 Panthers 40
78
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
79' TRY Panthers - To'o Panthers win the scrum and Crichton goes forward. Sorenson with the next run. Leota hit hard. Kenny slips over, tries to get through. They work left and Luai comes back in field, skips about, sucks in defenders, out to To'o who scores to finish us off. Warriors 6 Panthers 38 KTC
77
75
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
79' We nearly made it 80 minutes without a captains challenge but here we are. Big shot on Lui who has lost it and the challenge is unsuccessful with two minutes left. Warriors 6 Panthers 34
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
78' Cleary now off. They've pinged Kikau for a shoulder charge of the restart and the Warriors get the penalty. Now the Warriors make the error tackle one. They'll challenge. Warriors 6 Panthers 34
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
77'Conversion Successful - Walsh A nice try for the Warriors in their last game here in Redcliffe. Walsh converts with a few minutes left in this one. Warriors 6 Panthers 34
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
76' Warriors with a late chance for a consolation. Harris-Tevita goes close. Walsh short to Curran and he is over. Warriors 4 Panthers 34 KTC