Suncorp Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 11 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 1:50 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday May 19, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Where: Suncorp Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Odds
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Preview
Sundays Magic Round schedule gets underway with an injury-ravaged, confidence-stricken Warriors side with little going for them besides Penrith losing Nathan Cleary to a hamstring complaint.
Winless in their last five, the one-time premiership contenders are getting worse by the week.
After upset losses to the Dragons, Titans and Knights, the Warriors were horrific in the opening stages against the Roosters trailing 22-0 after 14 minutes.
Matching the heavyweights three tries apiece from that point was minor respite, but the Warriors slump has been compounded by further injuries to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (who was a late withdrawal from the Roosters clash), Shaun Johnson, Rocco Berry and Freddy Lussick.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the surprise halves partner for Te Maire Martin, with Taine Tuaupiki named at fullback.
Ali Leiataua comes into the centres for his second NRL game and Marcelo Montoya comes back in at Ed Kosis expense, while Jacob Laban gets a bench recall.
The 7-2 Panthers tough 16-10 win over Canterbury last Friday was overshadowed by Clearys injury; the three-time champs are eyeing off a couple of months without their linchpin, while back-up Brad Schneider is also sidelined.
But Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo have been leading the team brilliantly.
Jack Cole replaces Cleary in the halves after coming off the bench last week, Izack Tago is back from suspension, and Matt Eisenhuth and Daine Laurie join the interchange.
The Warriors have lost their last eight against the Panthers including six of the last seven by margins of 12 or more.
However Andrew Websters charges were gutsy in the face of injuries and sin-binnings as they went down to the premiers 18-6 in Magic Round last year.
Its that sort of grit and desperation the Warriors badly need to rediscover.
The Warriors have won just one of their last nine at Suncorp Stadium against six different teams.
The Panthers have won 13 of their last 14 here, with their current eight-match winning streak at the venue featuring a prelim and a grand final.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are a shocking 5-21 without Johnson since his 2011 debut (excluding his three-season stint with the Sharks) and the Panthers have won 15 of their last 20 without Cleary and seem certain to get the job done again.
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New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Tip
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.19 odds.
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Teams
Warriors team:1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Zyon Maiu’u 20. Edward Kosi 21. Paul Roache 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith 23. Ben Farr
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Preston Riki 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. Soni Luke 22. Scott Sorensen
