Elimination football has arrived for the One New Zealand Warriors as they prepare to face Penrith in their week one New South Cup finals clash at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Saturday (1.00pm kick-off local time; 3.00pm NZT).
The Warriors' 36-39 loss to Newtown on Saturday ruined their hopes of earning a top three finish and a second life in the five-team playoffs format.
They remained in fourth spot on 33 points with the Panthers finishing on the same points but fifth on points for and against after they just held off the fast-finishing South Sydney Rabbitohs – the 2023 premiers – 32-28 on Friday night.
Penrith will provide a huge challenge, coming into the playoffs unbeaten in their last seven matches with five wins and two draws including a victory over third-placed Canberra and a draw with minor premiers the North Sydney Bears.
Match: Warriors v Panthers
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
4th Position
away Team
Panthers
5th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
They can call on significant NRL experience. In Saturday’s clash against South Sydney they had 209-game NRL veteran Tyrone Peachey in the centres, Asu Kepaoa (42 games) on the wing, Dane Laurie (66 games) at standoff, Soni Luke (25 games) at halfback, Mavrik Geyer (11 games) in the second row and Austin Dias (7 games) at prop plus 2024 NRL rookies Casey McLean, Isaiah Iongi, Luron Patea and Preston Riki.
In their two regular season encounters, the rivals drew 22-22 at North Harbour Stadium in April while the Warriors triumphed at North Sydney Oval three weeks later.
Little separated the two teams over the full season. The Warriors finished with 14 wins, a draw and nine losses scoring 590 points while conceding 506 for a points differential of plus 84 points. Penrith had a record of 13 wins, three draws and eight losses scoring 602 points and conceding 520 for a points differential of plus 82.
NSW Cup Highlights: Magic victory on the road
