The final game of round 13 will be well worth the wait as the top two sides on the ladder square off for the first time since the opening week of the 2025 finals series.
On that occasion it was the Panthers storming Go Media Stadium to come away with a 24-8 victory that sent the Wahs tumbling out of the finals race.
Almost eight months later it's the Warriors entering enemy territory at CommBank Stadium in Sydney and looking to add another massive scalp to a list of victims that includes the Broncos, Roosters and Raiders.
While all four pf Penrith's New South Wales State of Origin players were included on the extended bench named on Tuesday, coach Ivan Cleary has decided to rest Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o while Casey McLean is listed as a reserve.
One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster left Mitchell Barnett (NSW) and Kurt Capewell (Queensland) out on Tuesday.
This is the last of five consecutive matches on the road for the Warriors. They travelled to Wellington for their home game against the Dolphins on Anzac Day, faced the Eels in Sydney in round nine, had their first bye and then headed to Brisbane for their Magic Round home clash against the Broncos, were back in Sydney for the Dragons last week and are now back their again.
They have their second bye next week.
Match: Panthers v Warriors
Round 13 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team news
Panthers: Coach Ivan Cleary has chosen to rest Origin reps Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o while Blues debutant Casey McLean will come from the bench. Star back-rower Liam Martin returns from a knee injury while Izack Tago and Luke Garner have been named in the centres. Jack Cogger will play halfback and Lindsay Smith lines up at lock.
One New Zealand Warriors: The loss of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to a season-ending ACL injury brings Adam Pompey into the centres. Marata Niukore has been added to the bench in place of Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (concussion). Origin reps Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell are both being rested. "They are both willing [to play] but we thought it was best for them individually not to back up," said Webster.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Luke GarnerCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Paul AlamotiWinger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Liam HenryProp for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay SmithLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack ColeInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luron PateaInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Marata Niukore
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Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Billy ScottInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Kayliss Fatialofa
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Interchange for Panthers is number 21 Casey McLeanInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Luke Hanson
Reserves
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Kalani GoingReserve for Warriors is number 21 Makaia Tafua
Panthers Ins
- Jack Cole
- Kalani Going
- Liam Martin
- Luron Patea
Warriors Ins
- Adam Pompey
- Makaia Tafua
- Marata Niukore
Panthers Outs
- Brian To'o
- Isaah Yeo
- Nathan Cleary
Warriors Ins
- Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Panthers have won 10 of their last 11 games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have won their last four games in Australia.
- The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 games at CommBank Stadium.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 12 tries in his last seven games.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored eight tries in his last seven games against the Warriors.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
