The Warriors recorded their fifth win from their past seven matches with a 19 – 10 victory over the Broncos last weekend.
Coming off a bye, the Warriors started slowly and found themselves behind early as the Broncos clearly had the best of the first quarter of the game and it wasn’t until ten minutes before the break, that the Warriors registered their first points through replacement forward Ben Henry.
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As the game entered the second half, the Warriors started to get the upper hand as the Broncos, who were missing some key personal and operating with a three man bench, starting to feel the pinch.
It wasn’t a dominate victory by the Warriors but one the probably would’ve let slipt earlier in the year and being over a top eight side, the win will give them a good deal of confidence for this match, the second of three consecutive home games.
The only change to last week’s winning team is Dane Nielsen replacing the suspended Ngani Laumape.
PANTHERS
Penrith recorded their fifth straight win with a hard fought victory over the Dragons in 14, 18 – 14, ironically off of the boot of former Dragon Jamie Soward who potted three goals from as many attempts.
The Panthers started well with Dean Whare scoring twice in the first twenty-five minutes of the match, giving the impression that the Panthers were headed for a comfortable victory but they couldn’t shake an improving Dragons side that scored five minutes either side of the break.
The Dragons blew another chance in the second half whilst the Panthers took theirs and held an eight point margin until the final minute of the match.
It was strong defensive effort by the Panthers who turned the Dragons away on numerous occasions however; the Warriors attack packs a lot more punch than that of the Dragons.
The Warriors will be only the second top eight side the Panthers have faced in the past six weeks and the first away from home since the Panthers lost to Parramatta back in round 4.
This will be a testing match for the Panthers and provide a yard stick on just how well they are travelling.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Pathers will hold no fears travelling to New Zealand, having won their past three matches against the Warriors, twice when playing at Mt. Smart Stadium however, in each of those victories, the Warriors were in poor form and losing games at much more regular rate than what they have been recently.
Warriors can turn the table here in what should be a great clash.
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Penrith Winger Josh Mansour is the top try-scoring for the Panthers this year, bagging ten thus far and last time these two sides met, he claimed a double.
Teams:
WARRIORS: Sam Tomkins, David Fusitua, Konrad Hurrell, Dane Nielsen, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Nathan Friend, Sam Rapira, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering, Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange: Feleti Mateo, Suaia Matagi, Ben Henry, Charlie Gubb.
PANTHERS: Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Isaah Yeo, Kevin Naiqama, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, Sam McKendry, James Segeyaro, Brent Kite, Sika Manu, Elijah Taylor, Adam Docker. Interchange: Tyrone Peachey, Jeremy Latimore, Nigel Plum, Lewis Brown, Bryce Cartwright.
