Penrith Panthers
32
Match Complete
New Zealand Warriors
6
| N. Cleary |  | 73 | ||
| N. Cleary |  | 72 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 63 | ||
| S. Turuva | | 62 | ||
| 57 | | A. Pompey | ||
| 56 | | W. Egan | ||
| N. Cleary |  | 39 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 28 | ||
| S. Turuva | | 26 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 21 | ||
| L. Martin | | 20 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 6 | ||
| B. To'o | | 4 |
| 5 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
A place in a preliminary final is up for grabs when the Penrith Panthers take on the New Zealand Warriors at BlueBet Stadium in Penrith. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4pm (AEST).
Penrith’s quest for a 3 peat has got off to the best possible start with another minor premiership to add to their collection. They are the benchmark in this premiership, and it will take a very good side to deny them another Provan-Summons Trophy.
They were on song in the last round of the premiership, beating the Cowboys 44-12. North Queensland were playing for a semi final spot and never looked a chance of causing the upset.
Jarome Luai looks set to miss at least one final, but Jack Cogger has slipped into place nicely. They are like a machine, Penrith, and just grind teams down to an eventual submission.
In team changes, Mitch Kenny and Scott Sorensen return from injury and slot right back in. Otherwise, the Panthers squad is largely unchanged.
The Warriors deserve their place in the top four after Andrew Webster brought the best out of this Auckland based side. They are riding a wave of emotion after a number of COVID impacted years.
However their form has been patchy of late and it was no real surprise to see an undermanned Warriors getting beaten by the Dolphins last round. The 34-10 scoreline was a concern though.
The Dolphins repeatedly punched holes in the Warriors line so it is hoped that the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake and Tohu Harris will tighten things up. If they can, the Warriors have enough game breakers to mount a challenge.
Prediction
This is a bit like the master and the apprentice. Both teams have strong go forward packs and two of the hardest working fullbacks, in the competition, in Dylan Edwards and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad with Ivan Cleary taking on his former assistant in Andrew Webster.
At their best, the Warriors would challenge Penrith. However, you get the feeling they have come off the boil a little particularly with Shaun Johnson a late withdrawal due to a calf injury.
It will prove too big a mountain to climb. Panthers by 10
Game information
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Panthers $1.12 Warriors $6.25 – odds via PlayUp
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Zac Hosking 18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Luke Sommerton 21. Luke Garner 22. Thomas Jenkins
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Tom Ale 23. Edward Kosi
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I prefer the Mango Bowen.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Cruel but accurate GB.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The Knights still have to beat the Raiders first. I'm sure that they will but the game could be close if Kayln Ponga is unavailable. In their current form the Knights are the 3rd best team I the competition and if their form holds against the Raiders then it won't matter where they play the Warriors. With KP playing they will win in any case.
Renegade
Roar Guru
They certainly can but I think the Knights are in far better form, warriors will need to improve on today - SJ back will help significantly. I haven’t been impressed with the warriors form over the last month, and it’s shown today - it was their first match against a top 8 team in 7 weeks.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
The Knights on a roll? I wouldn't rule it out, but I just don't know. If the Raiders scrape through, I think they can win that...
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
The Knights in NZ ? The Wahs can win that.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately it won't be the NRL premiership. But the Wahs have certainly had a far better year than the Bunnies. I think Andrew Webster should get Coach of the Year. Congrats.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Like the Germans invading Poland in WWII. Minus the Hugo Boss apparel.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the blog. I will be back in a couple of hours for the Sharks and Roosters. As a Cronulla fan, I am going in with low expectations but will try and keep a lid on it if they are in the game late!
Polymath
Roar Rookie
Panthers are robotic. Not in a bad way. Their fitness is unmatched, they know how to win matches, they get the rub of the green from refs that seem loathe to make calls against them.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Warriors were brave and did improve in the second half. They return home tonight and will play a home semi next weekend with hopefully Shaun Johnson back in the team. Their opponents will be either the Knights or Raiders
Collie Flower
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to the Panthers, that was an excellent win. Commiserations to the Warriors, just outclassed today, but proud of the effort. Please make good use of the well-earnt second chance buffer.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Off the back of the first two finals, there is nothing between the Broncos and Panthers. Penrith were dominant today, setting up the win in the first half. They were happy to get into the grind for a while in the second half but never looked in remote danger. They now progress to the prelim and it will take a great team top deny them the 3-peat
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Lock in a Broncos vs Panthers GF. If the Broncos get a fair go from the referee and bunker they can win the premiership. But they need the same defensive effort that they showed against the Storm.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Thanks for a great coverage DH.
steveng
Roar Rookie
That is what I meant GB, as no glory glory for the Bunnies fans in 2023 :laughing: lets hope 2024 is a new era? That is if JD makes or gets rid of some of the blugers in our side. As comparing these top 2023 top 4 sides or even the top 6 sides to the Bunnies from R12, there is no comparison, and we have no chance.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well played Panthers , just too good everywhere. Warriors are a really tough, well coached , brave footy side and I would love to see them in a prelim. I think they can do it.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Even with SJ back and playing at home next week, I fear straight sets for the Wahs...
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Well done, again, David - a great call, thanks. Warriors were brave, but Panthers were ruthless.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Nothing sums up the Warriors day better than that keystone cops endless fumble-fest, loss of 20 metres turnover. Good grief! :shocked: