Buckle up for one of the games of the season when the Warriors and Panthers collide in front of a heaving Go Media Stadium crowd on Friday night.<\/p>\n
The Panthers are within touching distance of a fourth minor premiership in seven years but the Warriors can close the gap to just two points if they can salute in Auckland.<\/p>\n
The Warriors’ only minor premiership came in 2002, when they went on to play in the grand final against the Roosters, losing 30-8 to Brad Fittler’s men.<\/p>\n
They have played in only one other grand final, in 2011, whereas the Panthers played in five straight deciders between 2020-24 before going out in the preliminary final last year.<\/p>\n
When these two sides met in Round 13 they produced a classic contest that went down to the wire at CommBank Stadium, the Panthers leading 16-6 at the break before surviving a Warriors fightback to win 20-18.<\/p>\n
Team News<\/p>\n
Warriors: Halfback Te Maire Martin picked up a hamstring strain at training on Wednesday and has been replaced in the starting side by Luke Metcalf, who will play his first NRL game since Round 5. Taine Tuaupiki has been named on the interchange bench as he looks to return from a foot injury that kept him out last week while Adam Pompey joins the bench in No.23. Demitric Vaimauga remains sidelined with a rib complaint that caused him to be a late withdrawal against the Titans. Morgan Gannon has been added to the interchange for just his second NRL appearance of the season.<\/p>\n
Panthers: Blaize Talagi is back in the starting side with Jack Cogger staying in Sydney due to the impending birth of his child. Luron Patea has been added to the six-man bench. The loss of centre Casey McLean to a hand injury sees three-time premiership winner Izack Tago promoted to the starting side. That opens up a spot on the bench for Blaize Talagi to return after a week in NSW Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Stat Attack<\/p>\n
The Warriors have not defeated the Panthers in Auckland since 2018.
\nThe Panthers have won 11 of their last 12 games against the Warriors.
\nWarriors winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 13 tries in 12 appearances in 2026.
\nPanthers prop Lindsay Smith will make his 100th NRL appearance.
\nThe Warriors have conceded only 42 points in their last four games.<\/p>\n