NRL: NZ Warriors v Penrith Panthers - what you need to know

RNZ News

20-06-2025

The Warriors and Panthers will line up without their travel-weary Origin stars.
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RNZ
Warriors v Panthers
Kickoff: 5pm Saturday, 21 June
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Penrith Panthers have traditionally been among the Warriors' toughest opponents through their time in the NRL, with the head-to-head record favouring them 32-19, plus a draw.
The Warriors have even struggled to defend their home patch against them, with the Panthers enjoying a 14-11 edge on the road and they are deadlocked 10-10 at Mt Smart.
Their biggest margin of victory came in 2013, when Kiwis Isaac John and Lewis Brown - both former Warriors - scored five tries between them in a 62-6 Penrith victory in Sydney. That was the Warriors' biggest-ever defeat, until their 70-10 Anzac Day debacle against Melbourne Storm in 2022.
The Warriors enjoyed their biggest win in 2001, when Francis Meli, Justin Murphy, Logan Swann and Clinton Toopi all had try doubles in a 52-8 result at home. Current Panthers coach Ivan Cleary kicked 6/10 conversions for the Warriors that day.
Penrith have won eight of the last nine meetings, dating back to 2019 - the last time these two teams met in Auckland - but the makeshift Warriors took the honours last year, with an upset 22-20 win at 'Magic Round' in Brisbane. Fullback Taine Tuaupiki scored a late try and converted for the win.
Both teams are coming off bye weeks and both have lost after their previous byes this season.
The Warriors (10-3) have won back-to-back outings across the Tasman, since their last loss to Canberra Raiders at home. They lost co-captain Mitch Barnett to a season-ending knee injury against South Sydney, but produced probably their best performance - especially in a 28-0 second half - against Cronulla Sharks.
Ivan Cleary has taken the Warriors to two Grand Finals - one as a player and one as a coach.
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This fixture will mark the start of a very favourable schedule that includes four home games and a bye over the next seven weeks.
After winning their season-opener against the Sharks at Las Vegas, Penrith (5-1-7) lost five straight and sat at the foot of the NRL table, but two wins and the bye have helped boost their standing to ninth, just a point outside the playoff cut halfway through the season.
Those wins only came against Parramatta Eels (16th) and Wests Tigers (13th), and they were preceded by a loss to Newcastle Knights (15th), so they're not exactly hitting their straps yet.
Warriors:
1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Moala Graham Taufa, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Eagan, 10 Marata Niukore, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Jacob Laban, 13 Erin Clark
Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jackson Ford, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves: 18 Sam Healey, 22 Ed Kosi
With Origin II played in Perth on Wednesday, players involved in this game could not fly back across Australia and then the Tasman in time to recover, so Kurt Capewell will miss his first game of the season.
That's probably just as well - the Warriors wouldn't want to lose a second player to injury, trying to back up from the rep showcase.
With Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua still sidelined, his place in the centres has been taken by Moala Graham Taufa, who will join Souths next season.
Wayde Egan returns, after missing the Sharks game with a hip complaint, but Sam Healey remains among the reserves, just in case. Winger Ed Kosi is still in the gameday squad, which suggests there's an outside chance Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may yet revert to the midfield.
Te Maire Martin will bring up his 100th NRL game against Penrith.
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Photosport
Te Maire Martin is named for his 100th NRL game, which is some achievement, after he 'retired' in 2020 with a brain bleed.
Panthers:
1 Daine Laurie, 2 Thomas Jenkins, 3 Izack Tago, 4 Casey McLean, 5 Paul Alamoti, 6 Blaize Talagi, 7 Brad Schneider, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 Lindsay Smith, 11 Scott Sorenson, 12 Isaiah Papali'i, 13, Matt Eisenhuth
Interchange: 14 Trent Toelau, 15 Liam Henry, 16 Luron Patea, 17 Luke Garner
Reserves: 18 Luke Sommerton, 19 Jack Cole
Much to Cleary's disgust
, Penrith are far more depleted by the Origin logistics, with son Nathan, captain Isaah Yeo, winger Brian To'o, fullback Dylan Edwards and second-rower Liam Martin all unavailable.
Prop Lindsay Smith was called into the NSW squad and travelled to Perth, but didn't take the field, so he will take his place in the starting line-up.
The Panthers should be used to covering for their rep stars at this time of the season and have enough depth to ambush unprepared opponents.
Their gameday squad features Kiwis Moses Leota, Scott Sorenson, Isaiah Papali'I, Luron Patea, Casey McLean and Trent Toelau.
Without Cleary,
Blaize Talagi
will be called on to stamp his class on the game, something he has already done this season - his first at the Panthers.
He scored 11 tries in 19 appearances for Parramatta last season and showed his ability in Penrith colours, when he scored a try and assisted on four in the 30-30 draw with North Queensland.
Of Māori descent,
Casey McLean
made his Kiwis debut against Papua New Guinea, scoring four tries on the wing. Playing at centre, he's scored six tries in 10 outings for Penrith this season.
"It's going to be different. I'm not sure what it's going to feel like, because I've never experienced it before. It's one of those things that you'll find out on gameday." -
Penrith prop Moses Leota, looking forward to facing former teammate James Fisher-Harris
"Still got some fond memories and some people there I've got a lot of respect for, particularly Ivan, but that's kind of dwindled now. I'm just glad that the fans get the champions at our stadium." -
Warriors coach Andrew Webster , not emotional about facing his old club
Webster will have his troops geed up for this one, with former Panthers Fisher-Harris, Egan and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on board. The Wahs are locked in right now and could put up a score.