Saturday’s NRL 2018 Finals Week 1 match is between Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors. The opening kick is set to commence at 17:30 local time with the game to be played at ANZ Stadium. The away team New Zealand Warriors are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors.
When: 17:30 | Saturday 08/09/2018
Where: ANZ Stadium
Preview:
The Panthers were too good the other week to grab a home semi-final and I think they’ll really flourish by having this.
Expect a packed ground with plenty of atmosphere.
The only problem for me and I know it’s a completely new comp now, but I feel more comfortable and safe to back the Warriors in what will be a very close encounter.
The two teams were able to win their last games but the Panthers over the last six weeks have been quite poor.
Getting James Maloney back for the finals will certainly help as we saw in his display last week.
I feel they’re lacking in a couple of areas though.
One is their ball control and the other is their defensive structures which in September will hurt if this isn’t good.
The match-up between the side’s respective monster back three will be a real showdown.
The Warriors have the leading try scorer in the comp and for good reason.
And with RTS in the form he’s in, this will be a massive contest up against Waqa Blake and Josh Mansour.
KEY BATTLE: Sione Katoa v Issac Luke
My key battle however, is the one between the experienced hooker Issac Luke and the inexperienced Katoa in his first finals game.
The middle of the field is where it all starts and this will be a masterclass if he dominates the play.
The Verdict
I like the Warriors who for mine have the run of momentum and having not played finals since 2011, will be super hungry.
The Panthers lead the Warriors 10-7 since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Penrith Panthers at $1.73
New Zealand Warriors at $2.14
Odds:
Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $2.10
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Soloman Kata at $15.00
More Info:
Teams:
Penrith Panthers:
1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Tyrone Peachey, 5 Christian Crichton, 6 James Maloney, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris,
Interchange: 14 Tyrone May, 15 Moses Leota, 16 Corey Harawira-Naera, 17 James Tamou
Reserves: 18. Wayde Egan 19. Jack Hetherington, 20. Tyrone Phillips 21. Kaide Ellis.
New Zealand Warriors: 
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Blake Green 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Adam Blair 12. Tohu Harris 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Gerard Beale
Reserves: 18. Leivaha Pulu 20. Mason Lino 21. Chris Satae 22. Karl Lawton.
NRL News:
The Warriors will have the calming words of Blake Green – and his deafening music – ringing in their ears as they embark on a long-awaited NRL finals campaign.
Blaring music and simulated crowd noise was the backdrop on Tuesday as the Warriors prepared for the atmosphere they expect against Penrith at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
Fit-again five-eighth Green introduced the idea, believing the Warriors need a reminder of what awaits in the play-offs, seven years after their last post-season experience.
“It’s just a lot louder when you play finals footy. It was just something I thought would be of benefit,” he said.
Coach Stephen Kearney believed the attack on the senses will aid his team’s communication, which he considers the most important element to get right if they are to topple the favoured Panthers.
Two players who avoided the noise were key injured duo Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ankle) and Simon Mannering (sternum), who sat out training at Mt Smart Stadium.
Kearney was “more than pretty confident” the pair will play but wants to ease them through the early part of the week.
Issac Luke also trained lightly but that continued a pattern of the last month as the veteran hooker manages calf and achilles issues that have dogged him.
Veteran playmaker Green missed the regular season-ending home wins over Penrith and Canberra but is fully over a calf niggle and poised to be a key figure alongside Shaun Johnson against influential Penrith opposites James Maloney and Nathan Cleary.
His combination with Johnson has gone in fits and starts but Green reckons they can click on the big stage.
“Shaun’s really easy to play with, he’s really instinctive.
“He’s a bit of a freestyler so it’s my job in the team to try to put him in the best positions possible on the field, with some space.”
The Warriors boast an experienced core.
The spine of Tuivasa-Sheck, Johnson, Green and Luke is complemented by Adam Blair, Tohu Harris, Gerard Beale and Mannering, who have all tasted finals football.
Green’s advice to the rest of the team is to not over-think things.
“It’s still the same game. There’s a bigger prize at the end of it, pressure, a bigger crowd and all those sorts of things but it’s a simple game, footy,” he said.
“The bigger the game, the simpler the game plan I reckon.”
