NZ Warriors v Penrith Panthers – Key Players Who Could LITERALLY Decide the Fate of the match
Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves: 18 Sam Healey, 22 Ed Kosi
With Origin II played in Perth on Wednesday, players involved in this game could not fly back across Australia and then the Tasman in time to recover, so Kurt Capewell will miss his first game of the season.
That’s probably just as well – the Warriors wouldn’t want to lose a second player to injury, trying to back up from the rep showcase.
With Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua still sidelined, his place in the centres has been taken by Moala Graham Taufa, who will join Souths next season.
Wayde Egan returns, after missing the Sharks game with a hip complaint, but Sam Healey remains among the reserves, just in case. Winger Ed Kosi is still in the gameday squad, which suggests there’s an outside chance Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may yet revert to the midfield.
Te Maire Martin is named for his 100th NRL game, which is some achievement, after he ‘retired’ in 2020 with a brain bleed.
Panthers: 1 Daine Laurie, 2 Thomas Jenkins, 3 Izack Tago, 4 Casey McLean, 5 Paul Alamoti, 6 Blaize Talagi, 7 Brad Schneider, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 Lindsay Smith, 11 Scott Sorenson, 12 Isaiah Papali’i, 13, Matt Eisenhuth
Interchange: 14 Trent Toelau, 15 Liam Henry, 16 Luron Patea, 17 Luke Garner
Reserves: 18 Luke Sommerton, 19 Jack Cole
Much to Cleary’s disgust, Penrith are far more depleted by the Origin logistics, with son Nathan, captain Isaah Yeo, winger Brian To’o, fullback Dylan Edwards and second-rower Liam Martin all unavailable.
Prop Lindsay Smith was called into the NSW squad and travelled to Perth, but didn’t take the field, so he will take his place in the starting line-up.
The Panthers should be used to covering for their rep stars at this time of the season and have enough depth to ambush unprepared opponents.
Their gameday squad features Kiwis Moses Leota, Scott Sorenson, Isaiah Papali’I, Luron Patea, Casey McLean and Trent Toelau.
Player to watch
Without Cleary, Blaize Talagi will be called on to stamp his class on the game, something he has already done this season – his first at the Panthers.
He scored 11 tries in 19 appearances for Parramatta last season and showed his ability in Penrith colours, when he scored a try and assisted on four in the 30-30 draw with North Queensland.
Kiwi to watch
Of Māori descent, Casey McLean made his Kiwis debut against Papua New Guinea, scoring four tries on the wing. Playing at centre, he’s scored six tries in 10 outings for Penrith this season.
They said it
“It’s going to be different. I’m not sure what it’s going to feel like, because I’ve never experienced it before. It’s one of those things that you’ll find out on gameday.” – Penrith prop Moses Leota, looking forward to facing former teammate James Fisher-Harris
“Still got some fond memories and some people there I’ve got a lot of respect for, particularly Ivan, but that’s kind of dwindled now. I’m just glad that the fans get the champions at our stadium.” – Warriors coach Andrew Webster , not emotional about facing his old club
What will happen
Webster will have his troops geed up for this one, with former Panthers Fisher-Harris, Egan and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on board. The Wahs are locked in right now and could put up a score.