New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Quarter-Final
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Go Media Stadium will be a cauldron of noise as the Warriors host the four-time defending premiers, the Panthers, in a sudden-death elimination final.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
New Zealand Warriors team news
The Warriors receive a huge boost with the return of hooker Wayde Egan and prop Jackson Ford. However, centre Rocco Berry is out for the season, forcing Kurt Capewell to shift from the back row.
Squad: 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
Penrith Panthers team news
The Panthers are expected to be 1-17 with Mitch Kenny (hamstring) a week-to-week proposition. Meanwhile, Head Coach Ivan Cleary addressed the tough call to drop Tom Jenkins despite him being named the club’s Members Player of the Year on Tuesday night. “It’s not a fun part of the job, but it’s one of those things around finals time where you can’t pick everyone,” he said, with Paul Alamoti recalled on the wing.
Squad: 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
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers prediction
The New Zealand Warriors (6th)enter the finals with two straight narrow losses to the Parramatta Eels (26-22) and Manly Sea Eagles (27-26), and have won just two of their last five games. For much of the season they have looked assured of a top four finish, however they now face a sudden death match, albeit at home, against a team that hasn’t lost a finals match since the first year of Covid.
The Penrith Panthers (7th) have had a turbulent run, losing three of their last five, albeit resting a number of stars when their finishing position was locked in. They finished with a commanding 40-20 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons last week with a number of their stars fine tuning their game before the team makes a run at an improbable fifth straight title.
Key Stats:
- The Warriors have won three of their four finals games played in Auckland.
- The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have not defeated a Top 8 team since Round 14.
- The Panthers have won their last 12 finals matches.
- Warriors centre Adam Pompey has scored six tries in his last seven games.
- Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finished the regular season with 12 tries and ranked fourth in the NRL for total run metres (3,944m).
- Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary led all players in the NRL for both total kick metres (10,916m) and total kicks (355).
Head-to-Head:
Penrith have a commanding record in this matchup, winning eight of the last nine meetings, including a 28-18 victory at Go Media Stadium in Round 16 this season.
The omission of Mitch Kenny is a high-stakes gamble by coach Ivan Cleary, signalling deep concerns about the team's attack. The Warriors will be fuelled by an electric home crowd and are strengthened by key returns, but their recent form is poor. The Panthers' championship pedigree and experience in big moments may be just enough to overcome the hostile environment.
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers tip: Penrith Panthers to win
