Finals footy returns to Auckland as the Warriors host defending premiers Penrith in a sudden-death showdown. The Panthers bring a remarkable 12-game finals winning streak, while the Warriors search for consistency after a patchy run into September. Go Media Stadium’s home crowd will be key to halting Penrith’s momentum.
When: Saturday September 13, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Where: Go Media Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Odds
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Preview
Finals football returns to Auckland on Saturday night, with the New Zealand Warriors set to host the Penrith Panthers in a sudden-death showdown at Go Media Stadium. Penrith enter with a fearsome September pedigree, carrying a 12-game finals winning streak and victories in nine of their past ten encounters against the Warriors. The catch, however, is that finishing seventh consigns them to playing every match on enemy turf.
The Warriors limp into September after just two wins from their last seven games and now confront a familiar foe in Ivan Cleary, the coach who guided them to their last grand final appearance back in 2011. Wayde Egan and Jackson Ford return to bolster the side, but Rocco Berry’s omission forces Kurt Capewell into the centres and hands Leka Halasima a start in the pack.
For Penrith, Brian To’o and Liam Martin strengthen the line-up, though the loss of Mitch Kenny leaves Luke Sommerton to shoulder the hooking duties. A hostile Auckland crowd could prove the Warriors’ biggest weapon as they try to derail the Panthers’ momentum.
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.35 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Brian To'o at $8.00.
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Teams
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey 21. Kalani Going 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Edward Kosi
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Luke Garner 18. Thomas Jenkins 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Trent Toelau