NSW Cup Preview: Key build-up for finals campaign

Author: Richard Becht warriors.kiwi
Timestamp: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 11:52 AM

With the minor premiership clinched, the One New Zealand Warriors fix their focus on preparing for the finals when they take on Penrith in today’s round 24 New South Wales Cup encounter at St Marys Leagues Stadium in Sydney (1.00pm kick-off local time; 3.00pm NZT).

While they go into the contest unbeaten in their last 16 games, the Warriors will be seeking a much-improved performance after their last two outings.

They battled to a 14-14 draw with the Dragons in round 22 and then needed to stage a second half comeback to edge past the Bulldogs 34-30 last week.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Saturday 16 Aug

Full Time

Panthers

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Geronimo Doyle
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Jesse McLean

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Sio Kali
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Morgan Harper
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Sione Fonua

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Setu Tu
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Asu Kepaoa

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Caleb Laiman
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Trent Toelau

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Jett Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 10 Austin Dias

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Bunty Afoa
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Brad Schneider

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Makaia Tafua
Prop for Panthers is number 15 Niko Apelu

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Harry Durbin
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Mavrik Geyer

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kayliss Fatialofa
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Zac Lipowicz

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tom Ale
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Billy Phillips

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Kalani Going

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 8 Riley Price

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Patrick Moimoi
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jason Seu Salalilo
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Riley Wake

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Toby Crosby
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 David Fale

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Etuate Fukofuka

Reserves

Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Sam Lane

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Daeon Amituanai

Last updated: 8/16/2025 4:01:10 PM

Their most impressive effort against higher-ranked opposition was, as it happens, in their home encounter with the Panthers back in June when they won 32-12 at Go Media Stadium.

Penrith is sitting fifth on the table bringing mixed form to today’s clash with a 4-4 record in its last eight outings including a last-start 26-16 win against Newtown.

Among the players named for the Panthers earlier this were fullback Daine Laurie and a number of players with NRL experience including wingers Asu Kepaoa and Jesse McLean, halves Jack Cole and Kiwi squad member Trent Toelau, props Riley Price and Austin Dias, hooker Soni Luke and second rower Mavrik Geyer.