2020 NRL – Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors Preview & Prediction
When is Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? Friday 5th June, 2020 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
What is the expected weather for Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors? 14c, clear skies
What channel is Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors? No tickets are available as NRL matches are currently taking place behind closed doors
THE TEAM NEWS
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Aekins, Mansour, Whare, Crichton, To’o, Burton, Luai, Tamou, Koroisau, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, Capewell, Yeo – Interchanges: Kenny, Tetevano, Leota, Burns – Reserves: Naden, Hetherington
Unavailable: Dylan Edwards (Injured), Nathan Cleary (Suspended), Tyrone May (Suspended)
- Penrith Panthers had to settle for a draw with Newcastle Knights but will be disappointed that they did not claim the victory after blowing a 14-point lead over a side that had to endure some early injury turmoil.
- The Panthers looked like they would rack up a big score at 14-0 but despite spending almost 15 minutes more with the ball than the Knights during the course of the game, they were held scoreless after the 23rd minute right through until the end of golden point.
- They were set to make just one change to their side for this week’s contest with Liam Martin replacing Billy Burns but the former dropped out of the 19 when the squad was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off while Jack Hetherington could be a late inclusion from the reserves after completing a suspension.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Starting 13: Tuivasa-Sheck, Herbert, Lawton, Beale, Pompey, Nikorima, Green, Taunoa-Brown, Egan, Blair, Katoa, Harris, Papali’i – Interchanges: Murchie, Faamausili, Vuniyayawa, Curran – Reserves: Harris-Tavita, Perham
Unavailable: Jackson Frei (Injured), Bunty Afoa (Injured), Nathaniel Roache (Injured), Jazz Tevaga (Injured), Taane Milne (Injured), Lesson Ah Mau (Injured), Adam Keighran (Injured), David Fusitu’a (Personal Reasons), Peta Hiku (Injured), Agnatius Paasi (Suspended), Lachlan Burr (Injured), Ken Maumalo (Injured)
- New Zealand Warriors earned a very popular win in their first game back in action as they were able to see off St. George Illawarra Dragons in an 18-0 triumph, thanks in part to their ball retention.
- The Warriors completed 46 of their 48 sets as they showed great respect to the ball and should take a lot of confidence from their performance, although they know that tougher assignments lie ahead.
- They have suffered more strife this week as their list of unavailable players continues to grow following injuries to Peta Hiku and Lachlan Burr and Agnatius Paasi’s ban while Ken Maumalo was also ruled out 24 hours before kick-off but Poasa Faamausili will bolster the ranks having arrived on a short-term deal from the Sydney Roosters and will make his debut here.
THE PREDICTION
Penrith Panthers maintained their 100% start to the season as they played out an enthralling draw with Newcastle Knights last week but will be eager to get back to winning ways after blowing the chance to win that having taken a 14-0 lead. They come up against New Zealand Warriors who put in a professional performance to nil St. George Illawarra Dragons last week and will be full of confidence heading into this. Neither side particularly dazzled in the 20m zone last week and having been involved in games that totalled 28 and 18 points, this contest is likely to be a low-scoring one that see less than 40 points.
