NSW Cup Match Preview: Stiff challenge against top side

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Fri 7 Aug 2026, 10:55 AM

Penrith’s standing as the game’s leading club is underlined with the club’s NRL and New South Wales Cup teams both leading their competitions as they head into their clashes against their One New Zealand Warriors counterparts at Go Media Stadium tonight.

For the Warriors’ NSW Cup side, the battle against the Panthers will be the sternest challenge as the David Tangata-Toa lineup strives to continue a late run for a spot in the finals.

The Warriors went into last weekend’s bye with a run of three straight wins over the Magpies, Dragons and Bulldogs to give their play-off aspirations a significant boost.

So much so they’re on 28 points alongside Newtown and the Rabbitohs but sitting sixth on points for and against needing to be in the top five to make the finals.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Friday 7 Aug

Full Time

Warriors

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 20 Joseph Ratcliffe

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Keahn Skipps
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Luke Laulilii

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Nick Murphy
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Jye Linnane

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Jesse McLean
Centre for Warriors is number 17 Daeon Amituanai

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Tuaomaliemavaitoelau Patea
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Haizyn Mellars

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Jirah Liddiard
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Hanson

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Haami Loza
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Jett Cleary

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Kurt Falls

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Riley Price

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Toby Crosby
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Makaia Tafua

Hooker for Panthers is number 14 Vea Tapa'atoutai
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea

Prop for Panthers is number 10 Jakeb Vailalo
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kayliss Fatialofa

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Zakauri Clarke
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Delahia Wigmore
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jacob Auloa

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Kalani Leuluai-Going

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Maui Winitana-Patelesio

Interchange for Panthers is number 9 Jenson Tuaoi
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tyson Hansen

Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Hokafonu Lemoto
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Tepatasi Laumalili

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Judah Galuvao
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Gordon Afoa

Interchange for Panthers is number 20 Buster Hindmarsh

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Connor Bowden

Replacement for Panthers is number 16 Lucas Rossi

Last updated: 8/13/2026 7:36:29 AM

Standing in front of them tonight (5.15pm kick-off) is a Penrith side which is three points clear at the top of the table coming off a win over the Raiders but suffering an unlikely loss to the Eels the week before that.

When they last met in May, Penrith held off a late comeback from the Warriors to win 30-20.