Home finals have been rare for the One New Zealand Warriors with today's battle against four-time premier Penrith being just the fifth in the club's history.
This second home playoff in two years reinforces the success the Warriors have achieved since Andrew Webster stepped into the head coach's position.
It makes for another huge occasion at Go Media Stadium with the 40-10 home final win over the Knights in 2023 still fresh in the memory for the players and fans alike.
Adding a special touch to it will be hooker Wayde Egan's 150th career appearance fittingly against his original NRL club and many players who were in the system when he was there.
And there's the match-up of the coaches, Ivan Cleary, the longest-serving coach in Warriors history, back 'home" as it were facing one of his former assistant coaches in Webster plus halfback Nathan Cleary playing at Go Media Stadium for the first time since 2018.
The Panthers face a very different challenge as they bid to win the competition from outside the top four for the first time.
Match: Warriors v Panthers
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
6th Position
away Team
Panthers
7th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: The versatile Kurt Capewell shifts from back row to centre to replace Rocco Berry (shoulder). Young gun Leka Halasima moves into the starting side in the back row. Hooker Wayde Egan (hip) and prop Jackson Ford (suspension) are both back for the sudden-death showdown. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update with Sam Healey and Taine Tauapiki retained in the squad.
Panthers: Brian To'o and Liam Martin are back on deck after being given two games off to get over niggling injuries but hooker Mitch Kenny will miss the game with a hamstring injury. "We took Mitch off at half-time last week as a precaution but it's a little bit worse that we first thought," coach Ivan Cleary said. "It's still only a minor strain but it's just enough to not be at his absolute best which is what we need." Luke Sommerton takes over in the No.9. Paul Alamoti retains his place on the wing with Thomas Jenkins dropping to 18th man.
Match: Warriors v Panthers
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Panthers is number 2 Paul Alamoti
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Warriors is number 11 Leka HalasimaCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Panthers is number 14 Brad Schneider
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire MartinInterchange for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam Henry
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Isaiah Papali'i
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Samuel HealeyInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Thomas Jenkins
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won three of their four finals games played in Auckland.
- The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have not defeated a top eight team since round 14.
- The Panthers have won their last 12 finals matches.
- Warriors centre Adam Pompey has scored six tries in his last seven games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
