Brad Inger reviews the Penrith Panthers clash with the New Zealand Warriors. Here’s how the match went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 9th | Try Brent Naden (Panthers) | Panthers 4-0 |
| 24th | Try Apisai Koroisai (Panthers) | Panthers 8-0 |
| 25th | Goal Nathan Cleary (Panthers) | Panthers 10-0 |
| 35th | Try Dylan Edwards (Panthers) | Panthers 14-0 |
| 36th | Goal Nathan Cleary (Panthers) | Panthers 16-0 |
| 39th | Try Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) | Panthers 16-4 |
| 40th | Goal Patrick Herbert (Warriors) | Panthers 16-6 |
| 55th | Try Patrick Herbert (Warriors) | Panthers 16-10 |
| 56th | Goal Patrick Herbert (Warriors) | Panthers 16-12 |
| 60th | Goal Nathan Cleary (Panthers) | Panthers 18-12 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
After their eighth victory in a row, the Panthers came into this match confident, and it showed with the visiting side dominated possession and territory in the early stages of the half. The Warriors were valiant on defence and managed to hold off several sets. Still, the Panthers kept the pressure on, and the points finally came after ten minutes when Nathan Cleary threw a great cutout pass to hit Brent Naden in the corner. The Warriors tried to bounce back but could not get out of their own half as Penrith continued to hold the lions share of possession. A Warriors break on of a deflected kick looked to create an opportunity for the New Zealand side, but a wayward offload from Lachlan Burr saw the Panthers sprint down the field, moments later signing of the year Apisai Koroisau darted out of dummy half to score under the post almost untouched. The Panthers show continued a few sets later when Dylan Edwards pounced on a grubber in the in-goal to push their lead out 16-0 as the first half wound down. The Warriors finally managed to string some attacks together and got themselves on the scoreboard when Roger Tuivasa-Sheck outleaped the defence to snatch a Chanel Harris-Tavita kick out of the air to end the first half trailing the Panthers 16-6.
2nd Half
The Warriors intensity from the first half remained, but a handling error handed the Panthers the ball back, and they continued to pile on the pressure, earning several repeat sets but just could not breakthrough. The Warriors earnt a penalty from George Jennings getting taken out when trying to catch a kick. The New Zealand side took this chance to surge up the field and were the first side to score in the second half when Peta Hiku sent Patrick Herbert over in the corner to narrow the Panthers lead. An accidental offside by the Warriors in the next set gifted Penrith an easy penalty goal through Cleary to see the lead push back out to 6. The Warriors bounced back, and Hiku almost had another try assist to his name, but Stephen Crichton managed to save the Panthers with a last-minute intercept. A few sets later Viliame Kikau looked to have broken Warriors fans hearts when he crossed the line, but the Warriors were given a penalty for obstruction, but another handling error let Penrith off the hook. The Panther looked to knock it out but were successful with their captain’s challenge and then moments later won another challenge when Peta Hiku looked to have secured the Warriors a seven tackle set but had his foot mere centimetres off the grass. Despite this Penrith could not break the Warriors defensive line and refused to try to push their lead out with a field goal. The Warriors had one final attempt to try and score the upset of the round, but it was too little too late as the Panthers defused a last-minute Warriors chip kick to walk away with a tougher than expected 18-12 win and a record-breaking ninth win in a row.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
My highlight of the match goes to Chanel Harris-Tavita’s bone-rattling tackle on Liam Martin. Harris-Tavita is starting to compile a highlight reel of defensive shots, but this one showed his heart and determination to try and get the Warriors the upper hand. Seeing the young halfback put his body on the line shows how desperate the Warriors are to get results when so many have written them off and is an encouraging sign for their fans as they look towards 2021. The Panthers were heavy favourites in this match and rightly so, but the Warriors are earning respect with their newfound grit and could still cause plenty of headaches along the road to playoffs.
SQUADS
Penrith Panthers: 19. Dylan Edwards, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Tyrone May, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brent Naden, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Daine Laurie, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Zane Tetevano
New Zealand Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Patrick Herbert, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. George Jennings, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Lachlan Burr, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Jazz Tevaga, 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Isaiah Papali’i
