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Penrith are faced with a make or break situation. Sitting at the bottom of the table after weeks of deteriorating performances the time is now to arrest their 2019 slide.

This week they host the enigmatic Warriors, another loitering towards the bottom of the NRL pack, and Ivan Cleary's men must stand up and make something of a season that seemed theirs for the taking back in March.

This is their shot at redemption after a woeful performance against Wests Tigers last week. Which Warriors team turns up to face them is the perennial NRL question - they brought it home last week but as NRL fans know, it doesn't guarantee a back-up effort.

The Rundown

Team news

Panthers: Panthers: The Panthers are 1-17. Dylan Edwards is back in the No.1 after spending a few weeks in reserve grade while Brian To'o debuts on the wing and Waqa Blake is back after being dropped for disciplinary reasons last week. Liam Martin returns from his one-week suspension at lock. Sione Katoa takes over at hooker from Wayde Egan, who is out with a shoulder injury. High-profile casualties of Penrith's horror start are Josh Mansour and Origin prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard. 

Warriors: Issac Luke starts at hooker with Nathaniel Roache (back) dropping out in the only change to the line-up announced on Tuesday.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Brian To'o
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'a
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean Whare
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Waqa Blake
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Patrick Herbert
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 James Maloney
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake Green

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 James Tamou
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Agnatius Paasi
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Sione Katoa
    Hooker for Warriors is number 22 Issac Luke
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 Tim Grant
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Leeson Ah Mau
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 James Fisher-Harris
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Liam Martin
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Lachlan Burr

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jarome Luai
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Tyrell Fuimaono
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses Leota
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ligi Sao
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Kaide Ellis
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Karl Lawton

Match Officials

  • Referee: Henry Perenara
  • Referee: Jon Stone
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated:

Key match-up

The halves have a point to prove. Nathan Cleary and James Maloney are looking to show an iota of the form that had them leading the Blues to victory last year while Kodi Nikorima will be keen to shore up his partnership with Blake Green following his mid-season move across the ditch. This is a good chance to put in a strong showing.

For the Panthers to win

Defence. The first three Wests Tigers tries (which came in the first eight minutes) were long range and off short balls around the ruck. The Warriors have players who can cause plenty of damage through the line and their quick ball movement troubled the Dragons last week. Missing 41 tackles like the Panthers did against the Tigers just isn't an option.

For the Warriors to win

It's all about metres. Overall, they're the worst in the competition, on averages just slightly better. But if they want to unleash the devastating talents of someone like the reigning Dally M winner in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the Warriors' big men need to do the groundwork for him to go to work. Leeson Ah Mau and Tohu Harris were the only two to forwards to run more than 100 metres last week.

Brett Kimmorley says

The Warriors have been inconsistent but Tuivasa-Sheck was back to his best last week. He's not a vocal captain but when he plays well they all follow him. It's up to him again to spark the Warriors. We've said for a number of weeks now that the Panthers' season is on the line, but it's round 10 now – Penrith have to start winning. They've got to stop conceding penalties, they've got to compete at about 85% and they've got to give their halves the chance to build a bit of pressure and show how good they are. They're good players but they're just lacking a bit of form and confidence at the moment. Warriors by 4.

Stat Attack

Panthers forward James Fisher-Harris is a tackling machine. He's among the best in the league with 405 to date, but he's also one to target. While making the tackles, Fisher-Harris tallies among the most misses, falling off 47 this season, the same number as Maloney.

And another thing ...

Players and coaches talk about winning becoming infectious but the same goes for losing. Panthers have lost five in a row and the Warriors ended a four-game losing streak with their win last week. They both have loads of incentive this match.

Acknowledgement of Country

The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

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