The Vodafone Warriors will run out as selected for tonight's 14th-round NRL clash against the high-flying Penrith Panthers at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford (6.00pm kick-off local time; 8.00pm NZT).
Jack Murchie and Adam Keighran dropped out of the 19-man squad an hour before kick-off after Gerard Beale and Josh Curran were omitted 24 hours ago.
The only change to the starting side named on Tuesday has Lachlan Burr named in the front row replacing suspended loan prop Jack Hetherington.
Since returning from a four-game injury-enforced absence, Burr has been impressive from the bench in the last three outings against the Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
The 27-year-old produced one of the best performances of his career in the 26-20 win over the Tigers when he made 150 metres from 17 runs plus 23 tackles in his 44 minutes on the field.
His elevation from the interchange saw Isaiah Papali’i named in the #17 jersey for his 58th career appearance after last being used in the gritty 10-18 loss to defending premiers the Sydney Roosters.
Match: Warriors v Panthers
Round 14 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Panthers is number 19 Dylan Edwards
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Patrick HerbertWinger for Panthers is number 2 Josh Mansour
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Panthers is number 3 Tyrone May
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 George JenningsWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brent Naden
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Chanel Harris-TavitaHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownProp for Panthers is number 8 James Tamou
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Karl LawtonHooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Lachlan BurrProp for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz TevagaLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Wayde EganInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine Laurie
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Adam BlairInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Spencer Leniu
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Daniel AlvaroInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses Leota
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Isaiah Papali'iInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Zane Tetevano
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
Last updated:
The Vodafone Warriors are back at their adopted home ground tonight after picking up back-to-back away wins – their first on the road wins of the season – to have a share of 10th spot on the table on 10 points, four points out of the top eight (11th place on points for and against).
The match against the Panthers presents the Todd Payten-coached side with an enormous challenge, Penrith coming to Gosford with a settled side and a club record-equalling run of eight straight wins after beating Canberra 28-12 last weekend.
When the sides last met on June 5 the Panthers prevailed 26-0, their sixth win in their last eight encounters with the Vodafone Warriors.
While the Vodafone Warriors have been without first-choice wingers Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu’a in their last two matches, replacements Patrick Herbert and George Jennings have been superb.
Against the Tigers, Herbert made 163 metres from 17 runs and Jennings 151 from 14 in his club debut. Last week Jennings ran 179 metres from 16 carries and Herbert 171 from 19 while the pair combined for three of the side’s five tries.
Fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been right up to his standards as well with returns of 279 metres against the Tigers and 218 against the Sea Eagles while Peta Hiku, used on both edges, has scored three tries plus making 124 metres and 114 metres; his try against Manly was the 50th of his career.
