Stay: Warriors vs Panthers at Mt Sensible Stadium
Panthers-Warriors connections
There are lots of connections between these two groups. We have already spoken about a few of the gamers who’ve jumped between the edges, however I believe the complete listing is:
- James Fisher-Harris
- Isaiah Papali’i
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Kurt Capewell
- Wayde Egan
- Te Maire Martin
Warriors coach Andrew Webster was additionally an assistant beneath Ivan Cleary initially of Penrith’s dominant run, and Cleary was as soon as a Warriors participant (2000-02) and coach (2006-11).
Additionally, Jett Cleary, the son of Ivan and brother of Nathan, is at present within the Warriors set-up, enjoying 10 video games for his or her dominant NSW Cup facet and coming inside a whisker of an NRL debut earlier this season.
Unusual déjà vu
It has been seven years since Penrith was in a sudden-death state of affairs within the first week of finals.
On that day in 2018, the Panthers had been additionally going through the Warriors and, to make the coincidence even stranger, that night time the Roosters additionally took on Cronulla.
It was a tumultuous yr for the chocolate troopers, with coach Anthony Griffin sacked whereas the workforce was fifth after 21 rounds and none aside from present Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo took over for the final 4 rounds of the common season plus two finals.
A kind of was this corresponding fixture (though it was fifth vs eighth again then, and the Panthers had been internet hosting), with James Maloney steering the Panthers to a 27-12 win.
There are six gamers left from that recreation enjoying this afternoon.
Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo stay with the Panthers, whereas Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and James Fisher-Harris have jumped throughout the ditch.
The Warriors have since misplaced and regained then-captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who injured his knee early in that 2018 recreation, whereas Isaiah Papali’i has since develop into a Panther (after pit stops with the Eels and Tigers).
What concerning the Wahs?
There’s been lots of speak about Penrith, and rightly in order the four-time premiers in uncharted waters, however the Warriors have had a captivating season of their very own.
Coming in with a lot hope after the low season recruitment of James Fisher-Harris, then shedding lots of lustre with a woeful Las Vegas opener, just for Luke Metcalf to emerge as the shape halfback within the first half of the season.
They had been within the high 4 to begin the penultimate spherical of the season, which is laudable contemplating season-ending accidents for co-captain Mitch Barnett (spherical 13) and halfback Metcalf (spherical 17).
They enter this recreation because the higher-ranked workforce on house soil, however as rank outsiders.
I can not say it is flawed, however there’s sufficient expertise and tenacity within the New Zealanders to beat anybody on this competitors.
A pal turned foe up entrance
James Fisher-Harris’s departure to the Warriors was allowed on compassionate grounds by the Panthers, however there will not be any compassion proven by his former teammates immediately.
Fish has taken his inspirational management to New Zealand and now Penrith is plotting the demise of their former talisman.
Look ahead to the primary time he and former working mate Moses Leota come collectively.
LATE MAIL: Main modifications for Panthers and Warriors
Neither workforce is 1-17 this afternoon.
After Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny was dominated out by a hamstring harm earlier this week, Luke Sommerton was named his alternative with Brad Schneider on the bench. However an hour earlier than kick-off, Ivan Cleary has pulled a switcheroo, with Schneider beginning and Sommerton benched. Tom Jenkins stays 18th man, with Paul Alamoti taking his spot on the wing after spending principally all season in NSW Cup.
The Warriors, in the meantime, have an additional change.
Kurt Capewell was named at centre to interchange the injured Rocco Berry, however has shifted to the again row, whereas Leka Halasima will line up within the backs in jersey quantity 11. A large check for the rookie.
There’s some motion on the bench too, with Sam Healey coming in and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava making manner, as Andrew Webster favours mobility over measurement.
Welcome to Sudden-Demise Saturday
Howdy and welcome to a different day of NRL finals motion.
At this time we have now a pair of sudden-death elimination finals — the Warriors internet hosting Penrith earlier than the Rooster meet the Sharks in Cronulla.
It ought to be a tense night, so let’s get straight into it.
