Source : the age
The Warriors go on the attack thanks to a Lindsay Smith error and have the chance to put the result beyond doubt here. James Fisher-Harris goes close with a big run up the middle, then Luke Metcalf senses an opportunity, cuts off his left foot and charges towards the line to score his second try of the night to cap what has been a wonderful return to the top grade.
The Warriors halfback converts his try and his team is going to take a ton of confidence into the final month of the regular season.
Meanwhile the loss of Isaah Yeo to a possible season-ending pec injury is the talking point for Penrith, who have been brave in these final stages but are now seriously down on troops with Dylan Edwards, Mitch Kenny and Casey McLean already sidelined.
Warriors 28, Panthers 12 with one minute left
This is a sensational comeback from Penrith, and it looks like they’re within a try of winning this one as Nathan Cleary’s bomb towards centre field finds the turf, with the ball grabbed by Paul Alamoti who touches down.
But replays show Liam Martin was offside from the kick before challenging for the ball, and the try is denied by the bunker.
Warriors 22, Panthers 12 with four minutes left
After 60 minutes of mediocrity the Panthers have come alive, Tom Jenkins now making a line break down the left flank to set up another try-scoring opportunity. But the Warriors’ scramble defence is up to the task this time, shutting down the raid with James Fisher-Harris making a great chasing tackle on Scott Sorensen.
Warriors 22, Panthers 12 with five minutes left
Nathan Cleary has scored Penrith’s only try, and now he kicks a brilliant 40-20 to get his team on the attack, and it doesn’t take too long for the Panthers to cross again – Cleary making a nice drifting run to the right before linking up with fullback Jaxen Edgar, who cuts back to score his second career try.
Cleary nails the tough sideline conversion and this is now a 10-point game.
Warriors 22, Panthers 12 with eight minutes left
It could be the absence of Isaah Yeo, it could be the defensive pressure from the Warriors, but this Penrith attack is looking decidedly rusty tonight – passes not hitting their targets as backline sweeps repeatedly break down with handling errors. Still no points yet tonight from the best attacking team of 2026.
The Warriors continue to be ferocious, even if their own attacking play hasn’t been quite so crisp for the past 10 minutes or so.
Finally now it all comes together for Penrith, a left-side shift resulting in Izack Tago making a half break and linking up with Tom Jenkins, who cuts inside and sends Nathan Cleary over for a long-awaited try.
Warriors 22, Panthers 6 with 11 minutes left
Errors are creeping into the Warriors’ game now – with mistakes from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Ali Leiataua and Sam Healey in quick succession – but their defence remains outstanding, and they continue to repel waves of attack from the all-conquering Panthers.
Then the hosts counter-attack with a line break from Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who is caught in a high tackle from Penrith fullback Jaxen Edgar, then it’s the Panthers’ turn to make a big last-ditch defensive play as Paul Alamoti and Brian To’o hold up Leka Halasima a metre short of the try line.
Wayde Egan has been cleared off his HIA and will return for the Warriors.
Warriors 22, Panthers 0 with 25 minutes left
Hooker Wayde Egan goes off for a head injury assessment after a head clash with Brian To’o but the Warriors are not slowing down tonight, Luke Metcalf sending a bomb to the right corner, where Dallin Watene-Zelezniak outjumps Tom Jenkins, makes the catch, then sends an offload back for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad who burrows his way over the try line.
Metcalf’s kicking has been excellent tonight, with most of his bombs aimed towards To’o, but this time he’s hit the jackpot on the right.
His goal kicking had been on point, too, until now when he sends his conversion attempt wide to the left.
Warriors 22, Panthers 0 with 35 minutes left
This is real test for Penrith now. Down 18-0, without their captain after Isaah Yeo’s shoulder/pec injury, and with a vocal Auckland crowd against them – can the league leaders pull off a comeback here?
If the Warriors hold on it will really shake up the minor premiership race – they would narrow the gap on Penrith to two competition points, and allow the Roosters to join the Panthers on 36 competition points with a win later tonight.
Warriors 18, Panthers 0 with 37 minutes left
Absolute chaos late in the first half now as a Warriors bomb goes up from Chanel Harris-Tavita, and Paul Alamoti – back from his sin-binning – jumps for it up but appears to miss it altogether. The ball bounces towards the Penrith try line, past Brian To’o and Nathan Cleary, then takes a savage bounce away from stand-in fullback Jaxen Edgar.
Leka Halasima reaches for the ball but misses it – or does he? – and it finds the hands of Harris-Tavita who runs away untouched to score.
But the bunker spots that Halasima knocked on and the try is disallowed. A welcome relief for the Panthers at the end of what has been a very tough first half.
Warriors 18, Panthers 0 at half-time
